FW
Spain’s Unitin is a leading supplier of indigo dyed yarns and fabrics. The company has always been concerned to work with the most advanced standards, both on the technical as well as the environmental fronts, and is now giving one more step toward a zero waste policy.
Producing indigo warps and wefts in a continuous and modern machinery generates a certain quantity of leftovers. Approximately three to five per cent of total production is not usable and has to be rejected.
Now Unitin has the technology to reuse all indigo cotton leftovers and make yarn out of them. In order to assure that the yarn will have the right strength to be used in any textile application, either knits or wovens, the indigo cotton leftovers are mixed with recycled polyester fibers. Unitin also offers a few sets of sustainable fabrics made with the new recycled yarns with sustainable Tencel yarns. The use of the already indigo-dyed cotton eliminates the need to dye the yarn, saving water and energy. Also the final garment wash will demand less water and chemicals. All production is certified under the Global Recycled Standard.
Unitin is a part of Industrias Morera, a textile group specializing in dyeing and finishing on piece and yarn. It has been in the textile business since 1924, and is composed of four departments: yarn die, piece dye, upholstery and denim.
Lectra’s Fashion PLM 4.0 is proof of its commitment to empowering customers with the best technology possible as they take their first steps towards Industry 4.0. With the widest functional scope, the modular PLM solution acts as a connected, intelligent nerve center for today’s digital supply chain, from planning through design to production, ensuring a consistent flow of error-free data between processes, technologies and people, and providing companies with the agility to adapt to different business models and jump on trends quickly.
Fashion businesses are facing major challenges in today’s digital marketplace. They are taking practical steps to digitalize their value chain. Lectra’s vision–and fashion-specific digital solutions–are helping fashion companies adapt to this fourth industrial revolution. Industry 4.0 is not only revolutionizing how manufacturers operate, but also how brands and retailers need to function.
Lectra’s goal is to provide its customers with the technology and support they need to thrive and succeed in this new digital marketplace. Vertical manufacturers are interested in connecting their physical supply chain with their virtual supply chain– software, ERP, and WRMS. For them Lectra offers the most comprehensive solution: an end-to-end system designed specifically for fashion and apparel.
The global silk market has always been a lucrative business sector around the world. A recent report from markets and markets says, global silk market is projected to reach $16.94 billion by 2021, growing a CAGR of 7.8 per cent from 2016 to 2021. Growth can be attributed to technological advancements in sericulture, which directly increases the yield of silk, thereby affecting the silk market. Moreover, silk is a low capital investment industry, in terms of technology and labor, which is driving the silk market globally.
The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for silk. This can be attributed to the presence of a large number of textile manufacturers, rise in export of textile goods, and growing demand from the domestic market. China dominates the silk market in the Asia-Pacific region followed by India due to easy availability of raw silk in the two countries. China is the largest producer of silk yarn and textile products.
Based on type, mulberry silk segment is projected to lead the silk market. Owing to its high strength, durability, and flexibility, mulberry silk is used in the production of textile such as apparel, wedding dresses, gowns, etc as well as in interiors such as pillows, wall hangings, and upholstery. The growing textile industry in the Asia-Pacific region is driving the demand for mulberry silk in the Asia-Pacific region.
Although demand for silk products is growing in Europe and North America, the Asia-Pacific region still remains the fastest-growing market for silk in terms of value and volume, and this trend is expected to continue till 2021. Demand for silk in China, India, Uzbekistan, and Thailand is primarily driven by increasing population and export of textile goods in these countries.
Garment manufacturers in India are looking at Ethiopia to set up manufacturing firms. They have lined up investments worth over Rs 600 crores in investments in that country. Companies setting up shop in the African nation include Raymond, Arvind, Best Corporation and JJ Mills.
Ethiopia gives duty-free access to the European and US markets. Labor cost in Ethiopia is half that in India and there is no requirement on investing in land and buildings. Power cost is also below Rs 2 compared with Rs 7 in India. Duty-free to the US and Europe is the key attraction, which India doesn’t offer. This is the reason Indian players are not able to compete with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other countries.
Ethiopia is developing industry estates and delivering them on a ready-to-use basis. Indian companies just need to move with their machines. Meanwhile Arvind is setting up a garment factory and is planning to invest around Rs 100 crores. Best Corporation, which will start production in the next six months, is setting up a 1000-machine factory at a cost of Rs 30 crores to meet the demands of the US market. Raymond is investing about Rs 130 crores in a plant to manufacture two million jackets. The company has expanded its footprint through the acquisition of a garment unit in southern Ethiopia.
Cotton output in India, the world’s biggest grower, may increase to a three-year high as some farmers have planted more of the fiber on better returns compared to other crops. Production is expected to climb to 37.5 million to 38 million bales in the harvesting season starting October 1, from 34.1 million bales a year earlier if the monsoon is normal in main growing areas, says Nayan Mirani, President, Cotton Association of India.
In India, domestic prices are still offering favorable returns for farmers. A bigger Indian crop will add to an expected decade-high harvest in the US, the top exporter, and a forecast increase in output in Australia just as China continues to unload inventories. That’s prompted global prices to drop 4.4 per cent this year after climbing 12 per cent in 2016.
Mirani says, it’s the right thing for the farmer to be in as long as the monsoon is normal and on time also it’s more a function of what the farmers earned compared with other crops.
According to the Cotton Association of India benchmark spot cotton prices were 3.7 per cent higher as compared with a year earlier. The November and December cotton contracts on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India are trading at a discount to the July contract, indicating production will increase and prices will start falling when harvesting begins in October, says Aurobinda Gayan, VP, research at trader Kotak Commodity Services.
Asia Pacific may be the world’s largest market for technical textiles during 2017 to 2027. More than 50 per cent of global technical textile revenues will be accounted for by the Asia Pacific region. Demand is likely to gain traction across Asia Pacific countries such as India and China. This market will register expansion at a value CAGR of 6.8 per cent. Global market for technical textiles is projected to grow at below average pace and register a value CAGR of 4.6 per cent. In terms of consumption, the market will exhibit a volume CAGR of 5.3 per cent.
Over 20 per cent of technical textiles produced in the world are procured for mobiltech applications. Demand for technical textiles is also expected to remain high across buildtech, indutech, meditech, geotech and oekotech applications. With respect to process used for manufacturing technical textiles, more than 45 per cent of technical textiles produced across the globe will be non-woven by the end of 2027. And this segment is likely to exhibit a value CAGR of more than five per cent.
Regions such as North America, western Europe, eastern Europe and the Middle East and Africa will showcase sluggish growth through 2027. Sales of technical textiles in Latin America, on the other hand, are likely to depict a relatively favorable growth at 4.5 per cent CAGR.
Apparel exports from India in 2017-18 may be 13 per cent higher than a year ago. In the past six months, exporters have seen a sharp increase in orders from the US, the EU and the West Asia. The momentum is expected to continue.
The industry received a Rs 6000-crores textile package last year. Duty exemptions like the refund of state levies also helped Indian apparel manufacturers compete with global players. The industry wants duty drawbacks to continue for at least one year after the goods and services tax is introduced and the GST rate on job work to be cut from 18 per cent to five per cent.
Apparel exporters enjoy nine per cent duty drawbacks in the form of customs, excise and service tax. Meanwhile GST would make fabric imports from China cheaper. Garments priced less than Rs 1,000 will be cheaper by 2 to 2.5 per cent and those priced higher will become 2.5 to 3 per cent costlier.
In eight states where there is significant apparel production, 85 per cent of apparel exporters say that they are substantially benefited by ROSL in their export performance, while 65 per cent rate the impact of ROSL as high or game changing.
"The 24th edition of Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer will be held between July 10-13, 2017 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The theme this time is: ‘Style in Motion’. The four-day fair will host around 1,100 exhibitors from 19 countries, along with newcomers from Canada, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam who will showcase latest fashions, garments, accessories, fabrics and related professional services."
The 24th edition of Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer will be held between July 10-13, 2017 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The theme this time is: ‘Style in Motion’. The four-day fair will host around 1,100 exhibitors from 19 countries, along with newcomers from Canada, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam who will showcase latest fashions, garments, accessories, fabrics and related professional services. The fair will have 18 theme zones addressing various needs of the fashion industry, while facilitating an efficient matching of buyers and exhibitors. Always evolving, this edition adds fashionable sportswear and urban clothing to its zones lineup.
Accessories make their debut
The debut World of Fashion Accessories will cover a consortium of accessories-related zones, including accessories, bags, footwear, leggings & socks, gloves, scarves & shawls for buyers to source matching accessories at ease. Titane Group (Hong Kong) , exhibitors in this zone, will be presenting the Hotitle Speed Racer titanium cufflinks inspired by the rim of sports cars. The series is light-weighted, durable and so finely crafted that even the tiny inner brake system is well elaborated.
Functionality meets fashion
With growing demand for quality apparels with functional aspects, manufacturers are innovating and developing functional fabrics. The Woolmark Company for example has developed wool denim that preserves the look and style of traditional cotton denim but goes beyond the possibilities it can offer by adding traits such as softness, warmth-keeping, wrinkle-free and quick-drying. The company will also share latest technology applied in wool denim and wool sneakers at a seminar. Similarly, Hyperbola Textile, will exhibit smart and practical products such as durable wind- and water-proof windbreakers at the new ‘Fashionable Sportswear’ zone.
Meanwhile rapid development of electronic technology has generated broad applications. With people heavily relying on electronic apps in their everyday lives the fashion industry has found a niche within it. HopIN Digitech, will showcase a mobile fashion app at the Fashion Tech zone. The app allows easy browsing of digital catalogues, as well as trying on the clothes in real time by uploading photos of oneself. This innovative user experience boosts customers’ buying incentives, providing an effective alternative for industry players to promote their products.
A round-up of global designers
International Fashion Designers’ Showcase will return again this year with designers from around the world. Indonesia, Japan and Thailand will be hosting group pavilions to flaunt alluring local designs. Among them, Indonesian designer Priscilla Listia, who attended the Vancouver Fashion Week, will present her women’s wear brand Mia Amica, which is acclaimed for employing the Indonesian Batik that has been acknowledged as an intangible world heritage product. The collection is executed with superb craftsmanship, modern silhouettes and charming embellishments such as embroideries and sequins.
Besides being an outstanding sourcing and marketing platform, Hong Kong Fashion Week also presents opportunities for networking and acquisition of the latest market intelligence with its exciting event line up. A series of fashion shows and parades will be staged across the first three days of the fair, participants include exotic Indonesian brand Neusa, Macau haute couture and bridal designer brand Chavin, Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre, School of Continuing of Professional Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as exhibitors from the Chinese mainland, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) will also host graduation shows and a lingerie show.
Seminars and forums will be held alongside. Internationally renowned trend forecaster Fashion Snoops will shed light on upcoming trends for Autumn/Winter 2018-19 for women’s and men’s wear. With wearable technologies becoming popular, a seminar co-organised with Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) on latest development and application of wearable technologies will also be held. Other seminars will cover topics such as testing and certification for textiles and garments, and fashion e-tailing strategies.
Walmart hopes to benefit from GST. One gain is in a national unified market, there is no need of a warehouse in every single state. Walmart feels if it will be able to run the business at a lower cost, it can pass on benefits to consumers, and the prices of central commodities can come down resulting in a win-win for everyone, consumer, state, business.
Walmart is committed to expanding its operations and investments in India. The retailer plans to open 50 more cash and carry stores over the next four to five years. It has already built a pipeline of nearly 16 stores. Walmart is helping its suppliers deal with the transition to GST --- the new tax structure that roll out from July 1.
The retailer has flagged off a series of workshops. Structured training programs on the various facets and nuances of GST have been completed in Ludhiana and Hyderabad and were attended by 76 supplier partners. As a significant number of Walmart’s supplier base consists of small, medium and regional suppliers, these workshops are expected to educate them and accelerate their preparation by providing them with a platform to answer queries and concerns.
The roughly 70,000 textile traders in Goodluck Textile Market have refused to register for GST, and over the past week the Rs 35,000 crores MMF sector has come to a standstill with strikes, protests and public meetings. As a textile trader, who is fasting outside his shop against the GST order says till now, there was no tax, nor there was register for excise or VAT as most traders are illiterate and cannot use computers. GST-compliance will hit profits, they feel.
Surat has around 170 big and small textile markets comprising more than 75,000 shops with a daily aggregate turnover of Rs 115 crores. Tarachand Kasat, convener of textile GST Sangharsh Samiti, says they want the government to keep GST only till the yarn level as GST will mess up things and result in huge job losses in the industry.
The city's 7.5 lakh powerloom weavers have kept away from the traders' strike but they are unhappy about being placed in the 18 per cent GST slab. They have asked for the 12 per cent slab benefit of input tax credit (ITC), and exemption for weaving job-work. They also want anti-dumping duty on Chinese fabrics. From July 1 about 70 per cent of weaving units operate on job-work and the master weavers have decided to stop the supply of raw material.
Ashish Gujarati, President of Pandesara Weavers (PWCSL), say the strike could hurt employment in the textile value chain that involves about 14.5 lakh workers.
