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A leading textile manufacturer, Nutech Global will exhibit its diverse range of high-quality fabrics at Colombiatex de las Américas 2025 in Medellín, Colombia, from January 28-30, 2025. The company will showcase its products at Stall No. BL086 in the Plaza Mayor Convention and Exposition Center.
An ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Nutech Global is a key player in the textile industry since 1984.The company specializes in synthetic suiting, shirting, uniforms, readymade garments, and home textiles. It has an annual production capacity of 4.80 million meters and serves both domestic and international markets, offering premium fabrics including 100 per cent cotton, polyester-cotton blends, polyester-viscose, and elastane/lycra.
A premier global textile trade fair, Colombiatex de las Américas connects industry leaders, innovators, and buyers. The event highlights Latin America’s unique offerings and fosters regional production linkages, adding value to the global textile industry.
According to Rohan Mukhija, Head-Business Development, Nutech Global, the event provides the company with an opportunity to not only showcase innovative fabric solutions to an international audience but also engage with global buyers, strengthen relationships, and explore new collaborations. The company continues to analyze emerging market trends and customize their offerings to meet evolving industry demands, he emphasizes.
Committed to textile innovation, Nutech Global combines cutting-edge technology with traditional expertise. The company’s customer-centric philosophy ensures, each of its fabrics meets stringent quality standards while also catering to diverse market needs in fashion, uniforms, home textiles, and performance fabrics. Furthermore, Nutech Global is dedicated to sustainability, embracing eco-friendly practices and responsible manufacturing to align with global standards and consumer expectations.
A primary driver of the apparel and footwear sales, the global sportswear market is projected to grow by 14.9 per cent from 2024-29.
As per a report by Euromonitor International, this growth will be fuelled by an increasing focus on health and wellness globally. Sportswear is fast becoming a staple in wardrobes worldwide as consumers increasingly focus on comfort and functionality.
Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa regions are driving growth in global sportswear market as rapid economic growth and rising consumer spending in these regions offer brands significant growth opportunities.
With 33 per cent contribution, the Asia Pacific region is expected to register the highest growth in total value of apparel and footwear sales over this period.
In 2024, the global apparel and footwear market grew by 2 per cent as against 4.2 per cent growth registered by outerwear, 3.7 per cent by womenswear, 3.9 per cent by menswear and 5.9 per cent by footwear.
Till 2029, total global sales in these categories are forecasted to grow by 4.3 per cent as consumers preferences continue to shift with experience of shopping over the material value of goods being preferred.
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Southern Zone has strongly opposed the Economic Coordination Committee’s decision to raise gas tariffs for Captive Power Plants (CPPs) by 16.7 per cent, from Rs 3,000/MMBTU to Rs 3,500/MMBTU. APTMA warned that this move could severely impact Pakistan’s export-oriented textile sector, which contributes 60 per cent to the country’s total exports.
APTMA’s spokesperson, Naveed Ahmed, criticized the increase, calling it the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for an industry already grappling with high production costs and global competition. He highlighted that gas tariffs have rised by 311 per cent over two years, making energy costs prohibitively expensive. "With the highest energy costs in the region, coupled with high borrowing and taxation, Pakistani textiles are losing their competitive edge," he stated.
The tariff hike disproportionately targets CPPs while leaving other sectors, such as fertilizer and domestic users, unaffected, a move APTMA deems discriminatory. Ahmed noted that many industries in Sindh and Balochistan rely on gas-based CPPs due to unreliable grid electricity.
Ahmed further emphasized that billions of rupees have been invested in CPPs to ensure uninterrupted power supply, as grid electricity remains inconsistent and inadequate. He urged the government to reverse the tariff hike to protect export markets and meet growth targets set under the Uraan Pakistan Program.
APTMA called for fair energy policies, warning that without immediate action, Pakistan risks losing its hard-earned global textile markets.
An interactive workshop titled, ‘Handloom Conclave: Manthan,’ will be held on January 28, 2025, at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in Janpath, New Delhi. This gathering aims to bring together key stakeholders in the Indian handloom sector, including weavers, manufacturers, retailers, and entrepreneurs, to discuss strategies for growth and achieve the Prime Minister's vision of ‘Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.’
Over 250 participants, including government officials, industry experts, and handloom beneficiaries, will attend this conclave featuring three key technical sessions. The first session at the conclave will on ‘Supporting the Handloom Startup Ecosystem.’ This session will explore government initiatives to foster a thriving environment for startups in the handloom sector.
The second session titled, ‘Handloom Marketing Avenues and Strategies’ will feature best practices and strategies from experienced panelists for effectively marketing handloom products. Titled, ‘Attracting Young Weavers,’ the third session will focus on strategies to make the handloom sector appealing to younger generations and create a sustainable value chain by leveraging technology and digital platforms.
The conclave will serve as a crucial platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collectively chart the future of the Indian handloom sector. By fostering innovation and collaboration, the event aims to enhance the livelihoods of weavers and position the handloom sector as a key driver of economic growth for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’
A few key attendees at the event will include Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles as the Chief Guest; Minister of State for Textiles as the Guest of Honor, Neelam Shami Rao, Textile Secretary, Development Commissioner for Handlooms, and government officials, industry experts, startup founders, handloom cooperatives, academicians, e-commerce platforms, retailers, and weavers.
The Pakistan Government has set an ambitious target of increasing its textile exports from the current $30 billion to $100 billion over the next five years.
To help achieve this, Imran Mehmood, Central Chairman of the All Pakistan Bed-sheets & Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA), urged the government to implement immediate measures to support the sector’s growth.
Textile exporters in Pakistan also achieved a significant milestone at the world’s largest textile trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Heimtextil as they secured export orders worth $3 billion.
Mehmood hailed this achievement as a major boost for Pakistan's textile sector. He emphasized on the critical role of Heimtextil for Faisalabad's year-round textile operations, highlighting its importance in securing vital orders.
The operating rate of direct-spun PSF plants in China is expected to plummet by around 20 per cent this week, falling below 70 per cent. This significant decline follows production cuts and suspensions at polyester yarn mills in key provinces like Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Hebei.
Furthermore, reduced operations at sewing thread companies in Hubei have exacerbated the situation, pushing polyester yarn operating rates to their lowest point this year.
Production estimates in China have been slashed by approximately 2.6 million tons. While PSF futures prices have declined, PSF plants are not facing major inventory issues, and prices remain relatively stable.
However, sluggish downstream demand and the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Spring Festival holiday have prompted a cautious approach among market participants.
Imports of textiles and apparel into the US declined 6.6 per cent month-on-month in November 2024, totaling 9.99 billion square meter equivalents (SME), according to the Department of Commerce’s Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). Despite the monthly dip, imports rose 43.3 per cent year-on-year, with India emerging as a key growth driver.
Textile imports reached 8.06 billion SME in November, down 1.9 per cent from October but up 51.3 per cent annually. Apparel imports dropped 23.1 per cent from the previous month to 1.93 billion SME but climbed 17.5 per cent compared to the prior year.
For the first 11 months of 2024, cumulative textile and apparel imports rose 13.9 per cent year-on-year to 97.5 billion SME. Textile imports surged 16.9 per cent to 73.8 billion SME, while apparel imports increased 5.3 per cent to 23.7 billion SME. Over the 12 months ending November 2024, imports grew 13.8 per cent to 104.4 billion SME, driven by a 17.2 per cent rise in textiles and a 4.4 per cent uptick in apparel.
India led the annual growth, with imports soaring 137.7 per cent year-on-year to 1.69 billion SME in November. Egypt recorded an extraordinary 589.6 per cent increase, reaching 1.11 billion SME. China remained the largest supplier at 3.06 billion SME, though its imports fell 13.3 per cent monthly. Other notable performances included Malaysia (+20.1 per cent monthly) and the Czech Republic (+49.4 per cent monthly).
While imports from Vietnam and Turkey faced declines, India’s robust performance underscores its growing significance in the global textile supply chain.
A major textile hub in India, Sircilla has received a 4.24-crore meter cloth order for the Indira Mahila Sakti sari project. This government initiative aims to provide free saris to women in self-help groups while supporting local weavers.
Conferred by Ashok Rao, General Manager, TESCO, the order signifies the government’s renewed support for the local textile industry. Sircilla has previously similar orders for school uniforms.
Divided into phases, the project will complete weaving of the cloth until April 30 after which it will be transported to Hyderabad for printing, dyeing, and finishing. The saris are expected to be ready for distribution by June or July.
A key factor in the success of this project is the establishment of a new yarn bank in Vemulawada. This Rs 50-crore facility ensures a consistent supply of yarn for weavers, streamlining production and eliminating reliance on external traders.
Vital for the local economy, Sircilla's textile industry employs thousands directly and indirectly. Consistent orders from the government provide year-round employment to these weavers producing a significant portion of saris distributed to women's groups.
This 4.24 crore meter order is expected to provide Sircilla weavers with work for the next eight months, offering much-needed stability to the industry. Adepu Bhaskar, President, ircilla Polyester Association, says, signaling a positive future for Sircilla’s textile industry, the order will help stabilize the industry and prevent further worker suicides.
The Indian textile and apparel industry is approaching the Union Budget2025-26 with a mix of anticipation and urgency. After navigating a challenging 2024 marked by supply chain disruptions, rising raw material costs, and subdued demand, the sector is looking to the government for crucial policy interventions. With the global landscape shifting due to factors like the Bangladesh crisis and the ‘China plus one’ strategy, the Indian textile industry sees a significant opportunity to increase its global market share. However, realizing this potential hinges on the upcoming Budget addressing key concerns.
Major demands and expectations
Several industry bodies, including the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), and the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), have presented their recommendations to the Finance Ministry. These can be broadly categorized as follows:
1: Boosting domestic manufacturing and MSME support
MSMEs form the backbone of the Indian textile industry, contributing significantly to employment, especially for women and marginalized communities. The industry is urging the government to:
• Extend the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to all garment categories: Currently, the PLI scheme primarily focuses on synthetic products. Extending it to all garment categories would incentivize investment and boost production across the sector. As Santosh Kataria, President of CMAI, stated, "While the existing PLI scheme for textiles has made some progress, its focus has been predominantly on synthetic products… To maximise the sector’s potential, it is critical to extend the PLI scheme to encompass all categories of garments."
• Provide interest subvention benefits for the domestic garment sector: The high working capital requirements of the garment sector, especially for MSMEs, necessitate financial support. A reduced interest rate, similar to the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) rate for agriculture, has been proposed.
• Recognize MSMEs as secured creditors in NCLT cases: This would provide them with better financial security and improve payment recovery during insolvency proceedings.
• Simplify compliance procedures and provide tax incentives: This would ease the burden on MSMEs and encourage growth. Harsh Somaiya, Co-founder of The Bear House, highlighted the need for "a reduction in GST rates on job work activities like stitching and embroidery" to alleviate cost pressures.
• Incentivize domestic manufacturing: Give subsidies on raw materials and machinery, along with tax breaks for MSMEs and start-ups, this would encourage local production and reduce reliance on imports.
2. Rationalization of GST rates
The complex GST structure is seen as a hindrance to growth. The industry has called for:
• Rationalization of GST rates across the value chain: A uniform GST rate across all apparel categories, as suggested by Dilip Kapur, President of the Leather Goods and Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Association of India, would simplify the tax structure and reduce compliance burdens.
• Reduction of GST on man-made fibers (MMF) to align with natural fibers like cotton: This would promote MMF adoption and improve competitiveness.
• Retaining current GST slabs: This should be done for products priced at Rs 1,000 and above to support the apparel and lifestyle retail segment.
3. Promoting exports
With global retailers seeking alternative sourcing destinations, India has a significant opportunity to boost its textile exports. The industry is requesting:
• A sector-specific PLI scheme to boost manufacturing and exports: This would help Indian brands compete with established international players.
• A thorough review of the FTA with Bangladesh: The CMAI has recommended this to ensure a level playing field for domestic manufacturers.
• Removal of Section 43B(H) of the IT Act: This provision, requiring payments to MSMEs within 45 days, has created cash flow problems for exporters.
• Simplification of import procedures for trims and embellishments under IGCR: This would streamline the import process and reduce costs.
• Exemption of customs duty on imports of garmenting machinery: This would enhance the sector's efficiency and competitiveness.
• Increasing the e-commerce export consignment cap and extending the export realization period: This would facilitate smoother access to international markets
• Extending the RoSCTL benefits for home textile exporters: Increasing the RoSCTL rate and extending it to the entire value chain would further boost exports.
• Special export subsidies on logistics: This would offset increased freight costs.
4. Address raw material availability and pricing
High domestic raw material prices compared to international markets pose a significant challenge. The industry is advocating for:
• Ensuring the availability of raw materials at international competitive prices, potentially through the removal of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on all cotton varieties.
• Government intervention through the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to ensure cotton availability at international prices when domestic prices are higher, with government subsidies to compensate any losses.
• Removal of the Quality Control Order (QCO) on Man-Made Fibres (MMF) and yarn to facilitate a free flow of raw materials at competitive prices.
5. Other recommendations
Focus on skill development and technology upgradation; expediting the National Retail Policy's implementation; Incentivizing sustainable practices through tax benefits for brands adopting eco-friendly production processes.
The fashion industry in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) is experiencing a digital boom, reveals BigCommerce's ‘2024 Global E-commerce Report: Fashion and Apparel’. The report, based on customer data, paints a picture of a thriving online market with significant growth potential.
The report highlights a thriving global fashion e-commerce landscape. Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) has increased 10.7 per cent year-over-year, driven by a 7.2 per cent rise in order volume. The average order value (AOV) has also seen a healthy increase of 3.23 per cent. However, in the EMEA region, the figures are even more impressive
EMEA leads the charge
EMEA is experiencing a staggering 25.3 per cent growth in GMV compared to the same period last year. This surge is fueled by a remarkable 41.3 per cent increase in total orders. Interestingly, the average order value in EMEA has dipped slightly by 11.1 per cent. This could be attributed to factors like increased promotional activity or a shift towards more frequent, smaller purchases.
Experts believe several factors are contributing to EMEA's e-commerce fashion boom. Increased mobile penetration, improved internet infrastructure, and a growing appetite for online shopping are all playing a role. Additionally, the region boasts a diverse population with a wide range of fashion preferences, which online retailers are well-positioned to cater to.
Why the EMEA boom?
While the report doesn't delve into specific reasons for the EMEA growth, experts suggest a combination of factors could be at play:
Increased smartphone penetration: EMEA consumers are increasingly comfortable shopping online using their mobile devices.
Growing internet access: Improved internet infrastructure in many developing countries within the region is facilitating online shopping.
Shifting consumer preferences: A growing number of EMEA consumers are embracing the convenience and variety offered by online retailers.
The EMEA region is a hotbed for fashion e-commerce growth,say analysts. The report highlights the tremendous potential for brands to reach new customers and expand their reach through online channels.
BigCommerce's report underscores the immense potential of the EMEA fashion e-commerce market. With a strong foundation of growth already established, the future looks bright for brands that can capitalize on this digital wave. By offering a seamless online shopping experience, catering to local preferences, and embracing innovative technologies, fashion businesses in the EMEA region can solidify their place in this burgeoning market.
