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The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has submitted a petition to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), urging it to allow digital labeling on clothing as a modern and eco-friendly alternative to traditional physical labels. The initiative is being endorsed by brands and associations including the US Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), Ralph Lauren, Patagonia, the Italian Footwear Manufacturers Association (IFMA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and GS1, a global standards organization.
According to the AAFA, the current labeling system is outdated and no longer meets consumers’ expectations for accessible care instructions or comprehensive product information. The group emphasized that the proposal is not to eliminate physical labels entirely, but to give manufacturers the option to use digital labeling, such as QR codes or URLs, as a supplement or alternative.
Digital labels offer multiple advantages, including the ability to display easy-to-understand care instructions in multiple languages, including audio options for accessibility. These labels are also more durable and less likely to be removed, ensuring continued access to important product information. Additionally, reducing the use of label tape would help lower the industry's carbon footprint.
An early adopter, Ralph Lauren began implementing digital care labels in 2019. These labels feature scannable QR codes linked to detailed product information. The company reports that over 400 million of its products now carry a Digital Product Identity (DPID), supporting transparency and sustainability throughout a product’s lifecycle—from resale and repair to recycling.
The brand noted that current care labeling rules have resulted in “label creep,” with large, uncomfortable tags filled with small text and symbols. Ralph Lauren and others argue that digital alternatives could reduce waste while improving convenience and accessibility for consumers.
The public comment period for the petition has closed. The FTC has 180 days from the end of that period to respond. If no action is taken during that time, the AAFA may request a status update, which the FTC is then required to provide within 30 days.
The Palamu administration aims to revive the inactive Koyel Aajivika Apparel Park in Chainpur through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, informs Md Shabbir Ahmad, Deputy Development Commisioner (DDC). Non-operational for over two years, the facility is slated for a significant turnaround under this new initiative.
According to Md Shabbir, Ahmad, Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) says, the administration will soon issue tenders to attract both new life into the facility, which played a vital role during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The apparel park currently houses approximately 150 idle machines, including specialized button and hole-making equipment. An estimated investment of Rs 4-5 lakh (approximately $5,300 to $6,600) is needed to restore the facility to working order. The Jharkhand State Livelihood Society has been tasked with overseeing this rehabilitation process.
Established in 2019 under the leadership of Shantanu Agrahari, former District Collector, the park gained prominence during the pandemic by manufacturing thousands of protective masks and hand sanitizers. Initially priced at Rs 20 (approximately $0.27 USD) each, were later distributed free of charge following intervention by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. At its peak, the park employed over 200 women workers, becoming a significant contributor to female workforce participation in the region.
This revival initiative is particularly important given Jharkhand's low rate of women in the labor force, which is just over 10 percent, seven percentage points below the national average. District Collector Shashi Ranjan has expressed a strong commitment to revitalizing the facility to boost women's employment opportunities in the region.
The administration plans to implement a ‘local-first’ employment policy, aiming for 90 per cent local workforce participation, with the remaining 10 per cent reserved for specialized roles such as sewing machine technicians and master fabric cutters.
However, the facility faces significant hurdles, including an outstanding electricity bill of 20 lakh rupees (approximately $26,500 USD), which recently led to a power disconnection by the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam (Jharkhand Electricity Distribution Corporation).
Skechers has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by investment firm 3G Capital in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $9.4 billion.
According to the terms of this deal, 3G Capital will purchase Skechers for $63 per share, representing a 30 per cent premium over the brand’s recent stock price. The deal has received unanimous approval from the Skechers board of directors and is expected to close in Q3, FY25, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Founded in 1992 as a men’s footwear label, Skechers has grown into the third-largest footwear company in the United States. The brand went public in 1999 and made its debut on the Fortune 500 list in 2023, highlighting its rapid growth and strong market presence over the past three decades.
The acquisition comes at a pivotal time for both Skechers and the broader footwear industry. In April, the company reported record-breaking Q1, FY25 revenue of $2.41 billion, marking a 7.1 per cent Y-o-Y. However, despite the strong performance, Skechers withdrew its 2025 financial guidance, citing ongoing uncertainty in global economic conditions and trade dynamics.
Robert Greenberg, Chairman and CEO, Skechers will remain at the helm following the acquisition. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation and expressed optimism about the future with 3G Capital as a strategic partner.
Founded in 2004 as a spin-off of Brazil’s GP Investments, 3G Capital is well-known for its investments in major consumer brands such as Anheuser-Busch InBev and Kraft Heinz. Co-founders Alex Behring and Daniel Schwartz describe Skechers as ‘an iconic, founder-led brand with a proven history of creativity and innovation.’
During a cabinet meeting at the White House attended by President Donald Trump on April 30, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, US Labor Secretary announced the cancellation of a project focused on improving transparency and labor practices within Uzbekistan's cotton industry.
Having commenced in August 2022, the now-canceled Uzbek cotton project was originally slated to continue through 2026. It received $2 million in its initial year, with an additional $1 million earmarked for 2025. The project's aim was to enhance labor conditions and prevent forced labor within Uzbekistan’s cotton sector, while also assisting workers and employers in meeting international standards.
Uzbekistan’s cotton industry has faced significant international criticism for its historical systemic use of forced labor. However, in recent years, the Uzbek government has implemented reforms and established stringent monitoring systems to address these concerns, often with the support of international partners.
These efforts have led organizations like the Cotton Campaign to end their call for a global boycott of Uzbek cotton. Furthermore, the industry is undergoing modernization through privatization and investments in technology, with the goals of increasing efficiency and sustainability.
A prominent player in the synthetic fiber market with over three decades of manufacturing expertise, Filatex India is significantly expanding its production capabilities and sustainable practices through strategic investments of Rs 320 crore. These investments position the company to lead the next phase of growth in India's synthetic fiber sector while meeting the evolving demands of the global textile supply chain.
A key component of this expansion includes the significant increase in production capacity at Filatex's Dahej facility. This project involves the addition of 19,800 mtpa of partially oriented yarn (POY), 28,800 mtpa of fully drawn yarn (FDY), and 14,400 mtpa of draw textured yarn (DTY). With a total investment of Rs 235 crore, these new facilities are set to be commissioned by August 2026. This expansion will help strengthen Filatex’s position as a leading integrated polyester yarn producer in India, aligning with increasing domestic and international demand for synthetic fibers.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and efficient energy use, Filatex’s board has also approved an Rs 85 crore Steam Power Distribution Project. Fully funded through internal accruals and expected to be commissioned by April 2026, this initiative will utilize approximately 70 tons per hour (TPH) of surplus steam from the company's captive power plant to supply nearby smaller businesses. This project is projected to generate annual savings of around Rs 60 crore and fosters collaboration within the local industrial community.
In the FY25, Filatex registered a robust revenue of Rs 4,252 crore and an EBITDA of Rs 258 crore. The company’s profit after tax increased by 22 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 135 crore. Its annual manufacturing capacity reached 410,040 mt, supported by strong operational efficiency.
Filatex offers a diverse product portfolio, including POY, FDY, DTY, polypropylene yarns, polyester chips, and narrow woven fabrics, catering to a wide range of applications across apparel, home textiles, healthcare, and industrial uses. The company is also driving innovation and sustainability through its ‘Ecosis’ initiative, India’s first textile-to-textile circular recycling solution.
Trutzschler India has inaugurated its cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Sanand, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey. The new plant replaces its earlier site in Ahmedabad and aims to boost operational efficiency, sustainability, and innovation for both domestic and international markets.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Bhai Patel, Germany’s Consul General Achim Fabig, and Member of Parliament Parshottam Ji Rupala, alongside the Trutzschler and Schurenkramer families, the Trutzschler Group management, and CEO of Trutzschler India, Joseph Thomson. A large gathering of customers, partners, and employees joined the event, which featured inspiring speeches, networking, and a cultural program.
Spanning 164,000 square meters with a built-up area of 72,000 square meters, the new plant employs over 1,000 people. It is equipped to manufacture spinning preparation machines, card clothing, and nonwoven equipment, supporting both Indian and global demand. The facility has been designed with strong sustainability credentials and is targeting a gold rating from the Indian Green Building Council. It is also certified under ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 50001:2018 standards.
Sustainability features include solar panels, rainwater harvesting, electric vehicle charging points, and AI-driven process optimization. Additionally, the plant houses a new Customer Training Center and an expanded Trutzschler Training Academy, supporting the Skill India Mission.
CEO Joseph Thomson emphasized the plant's role in meeting rising market demands with advanced, eco-conscious technology, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders involved in bringing the project to life.
To determine the fiber content in linen fibers, especially in blended yarns or fabrics, the ASTM provides several standard test methods that focus on quantitative chemical analysis and microscopic identification. These are particularly useful when flax (linen) is blended with fibers like cotton, polyester, viscose, or synthetics.
Key ASTM standards to determine fiber content in linen fibers
1. ASTM D629 – 15 (Reapproved 2020)
- Title: Standard Test Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Textiles
- Purpose: This is the primary ASTM method for determining the percentage composition of fibers in textile products.
- Applies to: Blended fibers including linen (flax) with cotton, wool, polyester, rayon, etc.
Test methods included: The test methods included in this standard include chemical dissolution using selective solvents, mechanical separation techniques and calculation of fiber percentages by weight. For example: If linen is blended with cotton, a specific reagent dissolves cotton while leaving linen intact, allowing for separation and quantification.
2. ASTM D276 – 20
- Title: Standard Test Methods for Identification of Fibers in Textiles
- Purpose: For qualitative identification of fibers (e.g., confirming linen is present).
- Methodologies: The test methods used for this standard include:
- Microscopy: This is used for flax fibers which have distinctive nodes and irregular cross-sections.
- Burn tests, solubility tests and staining techniques
This test method used for verifying linen vs cotton vs viscose, especially when visually similar.
3. ASTM D1577 – 07 (Reapproved 2020)
- Title: Standard Test Methods for Linear Density of Textile Fibers
- Relevance: While this standard focuses on fiber fineness, it helps in differentiating fiber types during analysis.
4. ASTM D1909 – 13 (Reapproved 2020)
- Title: Standard Table of Commercial Cotton Yarn Numbers
- Relevance: This test method supports classification when linen is blended with cotton, by referencing standard count systems.
Common use-cases for ASTM D629 (Quantitative Analysis):
|
Blend Type |
Separation Method (per D629) |
|
Linen + Cotton |
Acid/base digestion of cotton |
|
Linen + Polyester |
Solvent for polyester (e.g., phenol) |
|
Linen + Viscose |
Cuprammonium or zinc chloride solution |
|
Linen + Acrylic |
Acetone or dimethylformamide (DMF) |
|
|
|
Additional tools:
- FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy): Sometimes used for blended fiber analysis.
NIR (Near-Infrared): Rapid analysis of fiber blends, though not standardized under ASTM yet.
Building on a successful April initiative in Alangulam, Tenkasi, three women’s self‑help groups in Vannikonenthal, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, have launched a new ready‑to‑wear garment facility.
Supported by the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, this project was development with an investment of Rs 1.15 crore and brought together 20 SHG members to partner with a major exporter in the SIDCO Industrial Estate, Valliyoor. It now employs 80 women directly and supports over 200 indirectly, producing not only ready‑to‑wear garments but also embroidery, pattern‑making, cutting, stitching, ironing and packaging for international markets.
The Vannikonenthal unit follows the same model. The Department of Backward Class and Denotified Community Welfare awarded Rs 3 lakh to each of three SHGs (ten women apiece) to set up the cluster. These groups have already signed supply agreements with established exporters in Rajapalayam and Srivilliputtur.
Under this arrangement, SHG members receive fabric and trims from the export houses, stitch the garments at the new facility, and return finished pieces for global distribution. Payments for each garment are credited directly to the women’s bank accounts, based on output and style.
The National Union of Textile, Garment, and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) recently praised the government's approval to establish a Textile and Garment Development Board. The union called this decision a significant move to revitalize the country’s long-ignored textile industry.
Issa Aremu Godonu Ali Baba, General Secretary, NUTGTWN, says, it’s commendable that the current administration is taking concrete steps to re-industrialize the country and bring back the labor-intensive textile and garment industry.
The union is optimistic that the board will support the modernization of the textile value chain, improve worker productivity, and reposition the industry for global competition.
The Union states, the board will be privately run, with input from public sector stakeholders. Its funding will come from taxes on textile imports collected by the Nigeria Customs Service.
The board will include governors from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, along with the ministers of agriculture and food security, budget and economic planning, and industry, trade, and investment.
The union pledged to intensify its efforts and expand its activities in areas such as skills development, conflict resolution, and national and international cooperation.
Once a staple in American fast fashion, Forever 21 has officially shuttered all 354 of its US stores, with closures completed by May 1. The move follows the retailer's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in March with the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
The retailer started closing many of its locations from April 1 onwards. As per court documents obtained by USA Today, it plans to shut down the remaining stores by the beginning of May. However, the brand’s international locations will continue to operate, as per its website.
The company’s financial struggles reflect broader shifts in the retail landscape. According to The Street, approximately 57 per cent of global online shoppers purchase at least some of their clothing online, and more than 20 per cent of all fashion sales now occur via e-commerce. As a result, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are seeing fewer in-store shoppers, making it harder to stay afloat.
Brad Sell, CFO, Forever 21, cities multiple reasons including growing competition from foreign fast fashion brands, rising operational costs, and changing consumer preferences for the bankruptcy. Forever 21 has also been hit hard by economic pressures and an increasingly competitive market.
One major challenge faced by the company is the de minimis import exemption, which allows goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. This gives overseas e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu a pricing advantage, allowing them to offer cheaper products without paying import taxes—something US retailers can’t easily match.
Parent company, F21 OpCo had hoped a buyer would step in to rescue the brand and halt store closures, but as of April 30, no serious offers had materialized.
Despite the shutdown of its physical locations, some industry leaders remain optimistic about the brand's future. Jarrod Weber, Global President, Lifestyle, Authentic Brands, one of the most recognizable names in fast fashion, Forever 21 is adapting to strike the right balance across physical stores, e-commerce, and wholesale.
While the brand’s expansion in US has ended, it is expected to focus on its global footprint and digital presence moving forward.
