TITAS, the 27th Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show, will be held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 in Taiwan from October 17th to October 19th, 2023. The event showcases the latest trends and developments in Taiwan’s textile industry, which focuses on innovation and sustainability as the key drivers for future growth.

TITAS features three main themes that reflect the industry’s vision and consumer needs: “Sustainability, Functional Applications, and Intelligent Manufacturing.” These themes highlight the textile sector’s dedication to research and innovation.

The Alliance of Sustainable Remodeling CFC (Carbon Fiber Composite) is a special initiative organized by the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), in partnership with TaiFRP* and TTTA**. This initiative aims to promote the carbon fiber composite materials industry and create a network of local companies, research and development centers, and various industry applications. The event is held every season to support the expansion of the thermoplastic composites ecosystem and foster closer collaborations.

At TITAS, the initiative will present some of the cutting-edge solutions in biomaterial sourcing, low carbon emission, TPU fiber, natural fiber, and AI embroidery systems.

With its focus on innovation and sustainability, TITAS is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the textile industry. It provides an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and developments, see new products and technologies, and network with industry leaders.

MAS Holdings, a global apparel and textile manufacturing leader, has clinched the prestigious Clarivate South Asia Innovation Award for the third year in a row. This accolade, presented at the Mumbai Innovation Forum, underscores MAS' dedication to groundbreaking innovations and maintaining a robust intellectual property portfolio.

Ranil Vitarana, MAS Holdings' Chief Innovation Officer, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This achievement is a testament to MAS’ commitment to both innovation and our valued customers' success."

This recognition solidifies MAS' position as a leading innovator, thanks in part to its innovation arm, Twinery. Twinery fosters a culture of innovation, uniting experts to tackle industry challenges. Product verticals Femography and Softmatter have redefined wearable technology and female health solutions, respectively. With 66 granted patents, Twinery's impact is evident, earning it the Fast Company Award for innovative workplace excellence.

MAS Holdings' consistent recognition in the South Asia Innovation Awards is a testament to its lasting contribution to the industry.

In a move set to revolutionize their production processes, Turkish ready-made garment manufacturer, Kardem, has adopted Coats Digital's FastReactPlan. This strategic decision aims to streamline manual planning methods and enhance production efficiency. By centralizing capacity planning data, Kardem intends to create a more systematic and agile approach to line scheduling, enabling them to respond swiftly to intricate, last-minute orders.

Kardem, a prominent player in Turkey's ready-made garment industry since 1990, specializes in high-volume, time-sensitive fashion garments for global brands such as INDITEX Group, LPP, Gina Tricot, and Ralph Lauren. With two factories in Turkey and Serbia, they produce an average of 1.8 million pieces each month and have earned recognition from Fortune and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO). Their commitment extends to industry associations such as Istanbul Textile & Apparel Exporter Associations (ITKIB) and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO).

Ahmet Zeki Erdogan, General Manager and Owner of Kardem, explained, "FastReactPlan will provide the real-time data visibility we need to optimize capacity planning and production efficiencies, enabling us to enhance our customer service by delivering smaller and increasingly more complex orders quickly and on time."

Talip Demircioglu, Planning Manager at Kardem, added, "Thanks to FastReactPlan, we can ensure efficient planning of our internal and external capacities on a single platform, whilst instantly tracking our actual production activities at the same time."

The adoption of FastReactPlan will allow Kardem to overcome previous challenges in responding to production and capacity issues swiftly. Coats Digital, a renowned fashion technology company, aims to empower Kardem in achieving its sustainability and CSR targets while meeting growing customer demands for faster, diversified assortments.

Wesley Ekman, Global Sales Director at Coats Digital, highlighted the increasing interest among Turkish manufacturers in adopting technology for their digital transformation journeys, reflecting the highly competitive landscape. The partnership between Coats Digital and Kardem promises to usher in a new era of efficiency and agility in the global fashion supply chain.

Levi Strauss & Co has reported a remarkable 18 percent surge in revenue in the Asian market during the July-September quarter, highlighting India's pivotal role in this success story. 

The growth is attributed to the flourishing performance of the Levi's brand in India, solidifying the country's status as a significant growth opportunity for the company.

Asia also witnessed a notable expansion in Levi Strauss & Co's operating margin, which soared by 330 basis points, reaching 12.3 percent. President Michelle Gass and CFO Harmit Singh laud Levi's strong Asian market performance.

India, in particular, has emerged as a standout success for Levi's, with nearly a 50 percent revenue increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. It is now Levi's largest Asian market and the sixth-largest globally. 

This growth is attributed to strategic expansion by franchise partners, who capitalized on India's long-term potential. Levi's is not just a denim brand in India but a comprehensive lifestyle choice.

Levi's success story in India is driven by diverse product offerings, local product capabilities, global design influence, and successful brand-building efforts, including its partnership with Bollywood star Deepika Padukone. The company plans to replicate this strategy in other emerging Asian markets.

Levi's strong financial performance in Asia, coupled with its strategic focus on emerging markets, cements its position as a top consumer choice in the region.

KARL MAYER has unveiled a significantly upgraded version of its HKS 3-M ON tricot machine at ITMA 2023. The latest version combines maximum machine performance with state-of-the-art technologies, addressing the challenges faced by customers today.

Some of the key new features include:

Advanced Feeding Control (AFC): This new system allows for ultra-speedy multispeed operation, even when producing complex patterns with varying yarn consumption. At ITMA 2023, a prototype solution manufactured plisseé fabrics at an astounding 2,900 rpm.

Energy Data Ready option: This new feature provides customers with the hardware necessary to determine and monitor the energy consumption of their HKS 3-M ON machines. The data can be used to optimize energy management and reduce costs.

Precise Sinker Positioning adjustment mimic: This new feature makes it easy and precise to set the sinkers, even for inexperienced operators.

New Batching Device No. 55 X: This new batching device can roll, weigh, and document fabric, and can also generate a label with the determined weight and other useful data.

Direct Drive with Synchronous Motor: The HKS 3-M ON is now equipped with an economical direct drive system that can lead to electricity savings of up to 8%.

Improved ICS: The Integrated Camera System (ICS) has been optimized with a transmitted light set-up and a new background light, allowing it to monitor a wider range of fabrics without any set-up changes.

These new features and upgrades make the HKS 3-M ON the ideal choice for customers who are looking for a high-performance, energy-efficient, and easy-to-use tricot machine.

Schoeller Textil AG, a leading Swiss textile manufacturer, has launched its latest collection, FLEX SHIELD. The collection embodies the brand's essence of blending ultimate protection, comfort, and durability.

Modern lifestyles require more than just functionality. Consumers are seeking products that offer a perfect balance between protection and comfort. 

Schoeller Vision: Sustainably Enhance Quality of Life

"At Schoeller, we understand that protection and comfort are not mutually exclusive. Our FLEX SHIELD collection has been meticulously engineered to offer dynamic protection that moves with the body. Safety is essential, but it is equally important that the clothing allows for unrestricted movement," said Antonio Gatti Balsarri, Chief Commercial Officer at Schoeller Textil AG.

The Flex Shield Collection reflects Schoeller's commitment to creating textiles that empower individuals to embrace their activities with confidence, knowing their gear will not fail and is designed for challenging conditions.

One highlight is the schoeller®-ceraspaceTM technology, which owes its outstanding protective properties to a unique composition of special ceramic particles anchored in a polymer matrix. 

Designed to Last

Intelligent textile technologies, such as water- and dirt-repelling functions, improve fabric properties, while high-quality textiles have a longer service life and can remain in use for longer, helping to preserve the environment and save resources.

The dynamic FLEX SHIELD Collection will be unveiled at the upcoming A+A in Duesseldorf, scheduled for October 24-27, 2023.

Dune London, the London-born, globally worn brand, has launched its Autumn Winter ’23 collection, featuring a blend of trend-led and signature silhouettes. The collection features functional detailing, standout finishing touches, and bespoke elements, such as the interlocked DD branding, which features heavily in the AW23 range.

With a Blend of Trend-Led and Signature Silhouettes; This season's iconic premium profiles are crafted from the finest genuine leather and feature a fresh trim inspired by a nautical knot for a stylish touch. The collection also introduces a special edition vinyl collection with shimmering Aurora Borealis crystals, inspired by the Northern Light.

The new collection combines luxurious textures for standout style, with accessories featuring trend-led evening bags with diamante handles and Micro bags embracing style and versatility.

The new Men's range bridges the gap between casual and put-together with minimalist loafers, designed with a contrasting off white cup sole for a more modern and sportier look.

German textile care, fabric, and leather technology manufacturers saw sales increase 20% in real terms in the first eight months of 2023, with sales from Germany up 61% year-on-year and from abroad up 9%. However, new orders fell 17% short of the previous year's result in the same period, with orders from within Germany down 7% and orders from abroad down 20%.

German suppliers of laundry and dry-cleaning technology increased their exports by 2% to €239 million in the first seven months of 2023, with Poland, France, and the USA the most important export markets. German sewing and garment technology also saw exports rise by 3% to €247 million in the same period, with the most important customer markets being Italy, the USA, and France. 

Manufacturers of shoes and leather technology in Germany even recorded an increase of 19% to €37 million in the period January to July 2023, with the main customer countries being the USA, Mexico, and France.

Italian technology suppliers also reported growth in exports in all three sectors in 2022. Italian exports in the laundry and dry-cleaning technology sector increased by 2% to €442 million in 2022 and were primarily shipped to Turkey, Poland, and Bangladesh. 

Exports by Italian sewing and garment technology manufacturers also increased by 17% to €317 million in 2022. The main customer countries were Turkey, the USA, and Bangladesh. Italian shoes and leather technology suppliers increased their exports by 9% to €309 million in 2022, with the main customer countries being China, France, and Spain.

The mood among European textile care, fabric, and leather technology manufacturers is currently subdued, with the outlook uncertain, due to the tense geopolitical situation, ongoing labor shortage, and rising energy and primary product costs. 

However, the steady increase in customer demands for automation, digitization, and sustainability gives hope for a surge in investment and thus an improvement in the order situation.

Swiss textile manufacturer Schoeller Textil AG has unveiled its latest collection, FLEX SHIELD, focusing on the intersection of protection, comfort, and durability. In response to modern consumers' desire for products that balance functionality with comfort, the FLEX SHIELD collection offers a range of textiles designed to provide both protection and freedom of movement.

Antonio Gatti Balsarri, Chief Commercial Officer at Schoeller Textil AG, emphasized the collection's commitment to dynamic protection that allows unrestricted movement. Each item in the collection incorporates Schoeller's pioneering textile technologies, ensuring breathability, thermal regulation, wind, and water resistance. A standout technology is the schoeller ceraspaceTM, boasting remarkable abrasion resistance that outperforms high-quality leather.

Moreover, Schoeller's focus on intelligent textile technologies enhances fabric properties, prolonging the lifespan of high-quality textiles and contributing to environmental preservation.

The FLEX SHIELD Collection will debut at the A+A event in Duesseldorf from October 24-27, 2023. Schoeller's dedication to quality, innovation, and Swiss craftsmanship shines through in this latest release, catering to the evolving needs of the modern consumer.

The Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS) by ITMF, conducted in September 2023, reveals a cautious sentiment prevailing in the global textile sector. The key news angle is the persistent struggle of companies across the textile value chain, grappling with mounting costs and sluggish demand. 

The business situation indicator paints a grim picture, standing at -27 percentage points, while business expectations have stagnated at around +20 pp since July, defying hopes of a boost from the Chinese economy.

Despite concerns about weakening demand, a global economic hard landing remains unlikely. Order intake briefly improved in May 2023 but plummeted in July and hit a new low in September (-28 pp), with the entire value chain operating on minimal orders. 

The report does offer a glimmer of hope as order backlog slightly increased to 2.2 months in September, but the overall capacity utilization rate remains low at 69%, with manufacturers expecting this trend to persist.

One persistent concern is the impact of high inflation rates driven by soaring energy and raw material prices. However, the survey indicates that order cancellations are not a significant issue, and inventory levels remain steady along the textile value chain.