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Sefar is a leading manufacturer of precision fabrics from monofilaments for the screen printing and filtration markets. Sefar is known for screen printing, filtration and architectural solutions. The Switzerland-based company, is developing new types of fabric applications like power sense, corrosion resistant fabric and touch screen sensors. Screen printing contributes around 23 per cent of revenues, filter components around 32 per cent, process filtration 44 per cent and architecture around one per cent.
It offers filter fabric, filter media, filtration media, screen printing, screen printing mesh. It is a leading manufacturer of precision fabrics for customer-tailored solutions.
The materials used are PET, PP, PA, PVDF, PEEK and in thicknesses of 0.019 mm to 2.00 mm. These are used to produce mono- and multi filaments, prints, tinsel, stripes, non-trans-conductive fabrics and transparent conductive electrodes. Customers are the opto/electronic industries and the lighting industry.
Sefar products are used in a wide variety of industries, reaching from electronics, graphics, medical, automotive, food and pharmaceutical applications to aerospace, mining and refining and architecture. With its understanding of the applications Sefar helps its customers achieve optimum results in their industrial processes. The group operates weaving plants in Switzerland, Romania and Thailand.
Tirupur is facing a labor shortage. While there is a demand for labor, it is mainly for skilled jobs including tailoring. At the same time, attrition remains high -- as much as 15 to 17 per cent for women. In recent years, the sector has been managing with migrant workforce.
Now, Tirupur knitwear sector will get skilled workers from Orissa rather than untrained laborers. Tirupur will get specifically trained manpower from Orissa for apparel production. Training will be provided by the Orissa Skill Development Authority. The organization already imparts various knitwear industry-specific lessons through institutes in Orissa.
Experts from Tirupur will visit Orissa to oversee training programs and suggest changes that need to be incorporated to suit knitwear production. The initiative will thus provide an impetus to the apparel cluster in Tirupur, which does not have to train a rookie worker to cater to the specific needs in the production process and at the same time the trained workforce in Orissa will gets quality employment.
Tirupur is India’s largest textile exporting hub. It employs six lakh people and is looking to add more. Its export turnover is about Rs 25,000 crores. The knitwear hub is targeting a turnover of one lakh crore rupees by 2020.
Huntsman is seeing positive trends in the first quarter of 2017. Based on current market conditions, the firm expects first quarter 2017 adjusted EBITDA to exceed adjusted EBITDA during the same quarter in 2016.
It expects the first quarter EBITDA impact to be less than previously anticipated. There was a fire at its titanium dioxide facility in Finland with no injuries. The site has 1,30,000 metric tons of capacity, representing 15 per cent of Huntsman’s titanium dioxide capacity and two per cent of global demand. The plant will resume full operation by 2018 end.
Huntsman remains focused on delivering more than $350 million of free cash flow in 2017 and growing its downstream businesses such as differentiated MDI polyurethanes. It is working toward the separation of its pigments and additives business and is targeting the end of the second quarter of this year for this to take place.
Huntsman Corporation makes differentiated chemicals. Its chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. It operates more than 100 manufacturing and R&D facilities in 30 countries. The company has five business divisions.
Myanmar is attracting FDI in RMG sector. Besides traditional investors from Asian countries like: China, Japan and South Korea, investors from the US and Canada have chosen Myanmar as their destination. The soaring investment, especially foreign direct investment, has also helped increase garment exports of Myanmar. The total value of garment exports was $1.5 billion in 2014, $1.7 billion in 2015 and $2.2 billion in 2016.
Better infrastructure facilities like power, communication and availability of land to set up industries have encouraged foreign investors to choose Myanmar as their investment destination. With a competitive minimum wage, GSP trade privileges in the EU market and a strategic location at the China-India intersection, Myanmar is becoming increasingly popular among manufacturing companies burdened by the upward cost spiral in China.
The country has a five-year plan to boost textile and garment exports. Economic development has been further supported by internal change. New financial laws are reshaping the economy and increasing mobile banking. Additionally, 2016 saw the lifting of all remaining economic trading sanctions between Myanmar and the US after more than two decades. The country saw historic growth in 2016 and exported more than a billion dollars in garments and tactile goods.
Eastman Chemical is a global specialty chemical company that has been a supplier of filament yarn for the last 80 years. The company’s Avra yarn has exceptional moisture management, which means that fabrics can dry up to 50 per cent faster than conventional polyester fabrics, enabled by a proprietary spinning technology. The patented spinning process delivers additional functions like easy-care and stain resistance.
Eastman has now introduced another yarn, called Naia. This cellulosic fiber combines sustainability and performance with a natural touch. As a filament yarn, it is anti-pilling, but the cool-touch performance makes it perfect for the performance sector. Made from wood pulp derived exclusively from sustainably managed and certified forests, the Naia cellulosic yarn is a fiber that enables luxurious, comfortable and easy-to-care-for fabrics and garments.
Avra’s ultra-thin polyester fibers are extruded and held together by a proprietary removable polymer, enabling easy knitting or weaving. Once the fabric is made, the removable polymer completely washes away in hot water, resulting in ribbon-like fibers that are smaller than existing polyester fibers. The result is a distinctly silky fabric that keeps wearers drier and more comfortable than ever before.
The performance benefits delivered by Avra include exceptional moisture management and a chemical-free cool to the touch sensation.
UK-based fashion chain Jaeger is in trouble. Founded in 1884, Jaeger has counted actresses, royalty and Arctic explorers among its fans. However, its now faced with intense competition on high street and a dipping sales graph. It has struggled to keep up with rivals such as Burberry and fast fashion chains including Zara and H&M.
Jaeger's problems are partly because it has struggled for years to truly understand its core clientele. The firm also relied too heavily on special offers. Discounts account for over three quarters of Jaeger’s sales. Constant stream of sales and offers discouraged shoppers from paying the full price and lessened their trust in the quality of the Jaeger product.
Last year Jaeger’s annual sales fell four per cent. Jaeger started by selling woolen long johns and its clothes were worn by the explorer Ernest Shackleton on an Antarctic expedition.
In the 1950s and 1960s its celebrity fans included the actress Marilyn Monroe and the model Twiggy, before more recently being worn by the Duchess of Cambridge. Jaeger has 46 stores, 63 concessions, a head office in London and a logistics centre in King's Lynn.
The situation is such that most of Jaeger’s stores are moving towards closure, although the brand is likely to survive as part of the EWM stable, which includes Jane Norman, Peacocks and Austin Reed.
Archroma will showcase next-generation fluorochemical products at the forthcoming Techtextil in Germany. The company is the system supplier of choice for textile mills and nonwoven manufacturers. Archroma, a global leader in color and specialty chemicals, uses only non-halogenated technologies for its global range of Pekoflam products. This range is ideally suited to help customers face today’s ecological challenges and fulfill ever stricter safety regulations, regardless of the application. The company’s non-halogenated portfolio includes select products that are assessed for compliance with global requirements for industrial and consumer safety.
Archroma’s portfolio of water-based, solvent-free polymers allows handle and surface adaptations, from soft to hard, elastic to rigid, hydrophilic to hydrophobic, heat sealable to highly durable, impermeable to breathable, with low or no formaldehyde content. These products allow for more sustainable, tailor-made coating solutions for applications such as technical textiles, automotive, nonwoven, personal protective equipment and sportswear.
Archroma's innovative next-generation fluorochemical products provide long-lasting and excellent repellency and release effects, are easy to handle and non-sensitive regarding compatibility with other finishing chemicals. They allow covering the full spectrum of repellency and release needs in technical textile applications. Smartrepel Hydro keeps cotton, polyester and polyamide textiles dry. The unique technology offers exceptional, durable water repellency and is not based on fluorine. Smartrepel Hydro produces a soft hand feel and outstanding breathability – perfect for any weatherproof garment.
"Chinese denim maker Prosperity Denim is striving hard to keep its leadership position. As managing director Andy Zhong, Prosperity Denim says “We have more than 100 new styles every month. In China, we make eight million yards a month and at the new capacity in Vietnam we will offer two million yards a month. This capacity is for denim fabrics. We also have other piece dyed and yarn dyed fabrics. In piece dyed our capacity is one million yards a month.” Innovations to stay ahead Zhong says the company is now focusing on a theme of Prosperity Fabric Technology."
Chinese denim maker Prosperity Denim is striving hard to keep its leadership position. As managing director Andy Zhong, Prosperity Denim says “We have more than 100 new styles every month. In China, we make eight million yards a month and at the new capacity in Vietnam we will offer two million yards a month. This capacity is for denim fabrics. We also have other piece dyed and yarn dyed fabrics. In piece dyed our capacity is one million yards a month.” Innovations to stay ahead Zhong says the company is now focusing on a theme of Prosperity Fabric Technology. There are new developments in dyeing, finishing, material processing, etc. “We focus on functionality, hand feel, stretch, etc.” Prosperity classifies its range under four themes: Hand Feel for a very soft feel as ‘Air-Lite’, C-Blend and Blue Force, range of ‘Stretch’ fabrics with J- Fit and Tri X, Eco-Technology with Bio-Stretch, Coffee Denim and Eco Color and ‘Functional’ to address the current trend of denim offering comfort. We use around 20 per cent Tencel, whereas generally in jeans wear, Tencel content is just four per cent.” Zhong says, it improves the hand feel as it is 50 per cent softer than regular cotton. “At Prosperity, we quantify the hand feel. We can say it’s soft in terms of percentage.”
Meanwhile Prosperity Denim has diversified its stretch range. Zhong poins out “Generally around 30 or 40 per cent stretch is enough in denim but women want bio stretch or two way stretch. To put stretch in warp and weft, you need sophisticated technology. This also increases the cost. I think trend of stretch denim will increase in the next few years. The US and Europe have a bigger demand for biostretch.”
Focus on Sustainability
Talking about their eco-friendly moves, Zhong says, “We use eco dyeing, so the water is less dirty and consequently COD value is reduced. In dyeing, we use a new base that replaces the Hydro Sulphur. This reduces Chemistry Oxygen Demand (COD) by 60 per cent, higher the count means the water is dirtier. We recycle the coffee plant and put it into the fibre, yarn and fabric. One cup of coffee equals eight pairs of jeans. By recycling we reduce the impact on environment, so it is a bit expensive but still affordable. We have some association for coffee beans with the Taiwanese company S Café. We get organic cotton from India, Pakistan, Brazil, etc. We use air technology in finishing. So, the hand feel is soft. It can control shrinkage better.”
Prosperity Denim has developed Trio X range, with three yarns inside. And the inside yarns are not cotton but nylon or polyester. It has soft stretch, is easy on, easy off, therefore used for skinny jeans. It is good for stretch and performance. The company also has four way stretch, airlight stretch, making vintage jeans 10 per cent lighter. So, one feels more comfortable and it allows more freedom. “Then we have functional denim and super energy denim. Usually our body has heat. This fabric reduces body heat, deals with infrared rays, increases blood circulation, increases the oxygen level of the body. For this, we have done engineering in the indigo fabric. We have anti-odor denim. You can wear it for months at a time without washing. It won’t stink and still smell fresh. You can save water since you don’t need to wash jeans often,” explains Zhong.
Expansion Plans
Prosperity Denim has units in Vietnam which will soon have its own design development like their China units. In China, the company employs 20 designers and has an in-house washing unit. “Every season, we have our designs and develop our washing effects. Some fabrics have light wash and some heavy wash. Similar work would be done in Vietnam design development unit. In Vietnam, we may have a different fabric depending on market share,” he informs. At the moment, Prosperity has 20 offices around the world and in a year, they attend 15 to 20 denim shows around the world. The company has marketing offices in every major denim market and maintains close relations with fashion agencies, brands, buyers, etc. “We know the trends and what our brands want. We have stretch fabrics, functional fabrics, eco and hand feel. We understand our brands and also understand the fabric. We can connect the brands and the fabrics, We work very closely with H&M and some big Chinese fashion brands,” adds Zhong.
As for the future, Zhong says they are focusing on a better collection, new developments. “Last year we had a 60 per cent increase in sales. Our shipment focus this year will also be close to 80 million. Compared to last year, we will have 30 per cent annual growth. The company has a huge presence in China and sells 30 per cent to the US, 30 per cent to the European market and the rest to the domestic market. The company is looking at South America like Colombia, Brazil and Southeast Asia including Japan and South Korea.”
The International Textile and Textile Conference (ICAHT) will be held in New Delhi, on September 9, 2017. The theme of this edition is: People, Purpose and Passion: the Pathway to Success. The aim is to explore creativity and the creative process through imagination and innovation. The event is an opportunity for professionals in the textile and clothing sectors to know the strength of India, not only as a source of supply, but also as a destination for the fashion collections of global brands.
Various discussions on the problems of small and medium enterprises, trade barriers gripping the sector, strengths and weaknesses of manufacturing in different parts of the globe, globalization shortage of resources and skilled labor, quality of products, new techniques to improve productivity, changes in the supply chain etc. have been lined up.
India is an example of growth in the midst of a global economy that has been stagnant in recent years. The country's GDP has been growing at a rate of more than seven per cent a year. ICAHT is being organized by the Okhla Garment and Textile Cluster, Okhla Textile and Clothing Manufacturers’ and Exporters' Association, an industrial area south of Delhi, is one of the most important industrial sectors in the textile and clothing industry.
During 2016, India, Bangladesh and Vietnam clocked in positive export of trousers to the EU on a year-on-year basis. In value terms, India’s trouser exports were up 4.50 per cent whereas quantities were up 8.87 per cent. Bangladesh’s trouser exports to the EU rose in value by an impressive 9.65 per cent while quantities rose by 12.91 per cent. Vietnam’s exports rose in value terms by 5.89 per cent and quantities rose by 4.28 per cent.
Among the EU’s textile and clothing imports are cotton yarn, fabrics woven from synthetic staple fibers, fabrics woven from synthetic filament yarn, T-shirts, pullovers, women's blouses, men's shirts, women's overcoats, women's dresses, women's skirts, women's suits, men's trousers, men's denim trousers, women's trousers and women's denim trousers.
Between 2004 and 2014, European jeans imports doubled in volume and more than doubled in value terms. However, pricing rose only 10.9 per cent in this period. The most important supplier countries for Europe’s denim in 2014 were Bangladesh, Turkey, China and Pakistan. These four together accounted for 74 per cent of European jeans imports in value terms and 82 per cent in volume. The biggest denim importer in Europe is Germany, followed by Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and Italy.
