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Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh advocates blending o milkweed fibers with traditional materials
Speaking at Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) in Pusa, Samastipur, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh advocated for the blending of milkweed fibers with traditional materials like polyester, wool, viscose, and cotton, emphasizing the potential to create high-quality textiles.
This innovative approach could address the nation's rising demand for alternative fibers, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a self-reliant India, Singh emphasized.
On being combined with other factors, milkweed significantly improves fabric warmth, breathability, and softness, making it an ideal choice for premium, comfortable clothing, he added. He further suggested, with proper development, milkweed fibers could even surpass the renowned Kashmiri ‘pashmina’ in quality and versatility.
Currently, the Bihar Government is conducting an extensive research on milkweed production and its applications in the textile industry. Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) park is also establishing processing and testing facilities to support the development of this promising fiber.
To boost the agro-textile sector, the National Technical Textile Mission and RPCAU plan to sign an MoU to help increase the farmers' incomes and accelerate the growth of agro-textiles.
PS Pandey, Vice Chancellor, RPCAU added, a dedicated agricultural research center will soon be established at the university, further reinforcing the integration of technical textiles in agriculture and supporting India's drive towards self-sufficiency in fiber production.
The US House Ways and Means Committee has introduced a key provision in its budget reconciliation bill to permanently end de minimis access for commercial shipments from all countries by July 1, 2027. The move has drawn strong support from the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), which represents the entire US textile value chain from fiber to finished goods.
NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas praised the committee's leadership, particularly Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) and Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC), for acting on what she described as a ‘destructive loophole’ that has long harmed US textile manufacturers and facilitated the entry of illicit goods, including narcotics such as fentanyl, into the country.
De minimis rules currently allow low-value shipments to enter the US duty-free and with minimal customs inspection. According to Glas, nearly four million such shipments enter the US each day, many of which are unregulated and pose safety and security risks.
While commending the proposed 2027 deadline, NCTO is urging lawmakers and the administration to expedite the timeline. Glas noted that express shippers have already adapted their logistics operations, especially for Chinese imports, and are well-positioned to meet new enforcement standards.
Glas also acknowledged the Trump administration’s earlier action to exclude Chinese goods from de minimis benefits, noting that China accounts for about two-thirds of all such shipments. She called on the Biden administration to use executive powers to immediately close the loophole for all countries, pending congressional action.
The legislation is expected to be marked up by the committee soon as it moves through the legislative process.
Strafe Outerwear, known for its innovative mountain gear, has launched its first-ever down jacket the Palisade Down Insulator ahead of Fall/Winter 2025-26. This new piece blends high performance with deep sustainability commitments through partnerships with Pertex, NetPlus, and Allied Feather + Down.
Designed as a versatile layering piece, the Palisade offers lightweight warmth and durability. It features NetPlus recycled nylon, derived from discarded fishing nets collected from coastal communities, helping reduce ocean plastic while supporting local economies. The material has a fully traceable supply chain, verified by third-party audits.
The jacket’s outer shell is reinforced with Pertex Diamond Fuse fabric, known for abrasion resistance and packability. Inside, it’s insulated with 800-fill power goose down from Allied Feather + Down, which is RDS and GRS certified, ensuring ethically sourced and traceable materials. This down is also treated with ExpeDRY technology by Fuze, a gold-particle innovation that accelerates drying and boosts moisture control, ideal for dynamic mountain conditions.
Pia Halloran, VP of Product & Design at Strafe, said the goal was to merge cutting-edge materials with functional design, delivering superior warmth and fit while minimizing environmental impact. Further supporting this vision, the Palisade is completely PFAS-free, eliminating harmful water-repellent chemicals without sacrificing performance.
Available in men’s and women’s sizes, the Palisade Down Insulator will hit shelves at select retailers and online at strafeouterwear.com for FW 2025-26, marking a significant milestone in Strafe’s evolution toward responsible innovation.
M S Parmar, a veteran textile scientist with over three decades of service at the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), has taken over as Director General of the institute with effect from May 8, 2025. He will also continue to oversee NITRA’s academic division, the NITRA Technical Campus (NTC).
With 32 years of dedicated service, Parmar brings unparalleled expertise in Textile Chemistry, Protective Textiles, Unconventional Fibres, and Quality Control. His contributions include 28 completed R&D projects funded by both government and industry, 15 patents (5 granted), 140 technical presentations, and over 130 published research articles. He has also mentored 48 students across various academic levels.
Parmar’s recent innovation in developing thermal layers for extreme cold weather garments has earned him widespread recognition. His work was personally appreciated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh. In 2023, he was conferred the Honorary Fellowship of the Textile Association (Hon F T A).
Known for his passion for research and commitment to industry innovation, Parmar is expected to lead NITRA into a new era of technical excellence and sustainable textile solutions.
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has responded to the Joint Statement issued in Geneva on the US-China Economic and Trade Meeting, which announced a 90-day pause in tariff escalations. Effective May 14, US tariffs on Chinese imports will be reduced to 30 percent, while China will lower its tariffs to 10 percent.
AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar welcomed the move, calling it a temporary relief from the trade gridlock that has persisted since April 9. However, he warned that the remaining 30 percent tariff added to existing Section 301 and most favored nation (MFN) duties still poses a significant burden on US consumers, especially during back-to-school and holiday seasons.
“If freight costs rise due to lingering disruptions in shipping, we may see further inflation in consumer prices,” Lamar stated. He emphasized that a long-term trade agreement is essential not just with China, but globally to enable predictable investment, sourcing, and manufacturing decisions.
The announcement follows weeks of AAFA-led advocacy, highlighting that the current tariff framework does not strengthen domestic manufacturing nor support the 3.5 million American workers employed in the apparel and footwear industry.
GHCL Textiles plans to invest Rs. 1,000 crore (approximately $120 million) towards expanding its spinning and knitting operations.
Of the planned Rs 1,000 crore investments, GHCL Textiles has already deployed Rs. 500 crore to add 25,000 spindles and 40 circular knitting machines. These new capacities will help boost the company’s production volumes, product diversity, and speed to market, particularly in knitted fabrics—an area seeing rising global demand.
The company also plans forward integration into weaving and dyed fabric manufacturing, positioning itself to serve a wider customer base across home textiles, apparel, and industrial fabrics. The reorganization of its Kaveri section at the Manaparai unit is anticipated to unlock further operational efficiencies, reduce conversion costs, and contribute to margin improvement. In FY25, GHCL Textiles’ revenues increased by 10 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs. 1,168 crore. The company’s EBITDA increased to Rs 117 crore (approximately $14 million), with EBIDTA margins expanding by 11 per cent, while profit after tax rose by 123 per cent to Rs 56 crore (approximately $6.7 million).
GHCL Textiles currently operates with a robust manufacturing base that includes 200,000 ring spindles, 3,320 rotors, 480 vortex positions, and 5,760 TFO spindles, allowing it to produce a diverse range of yarns.
Its key product offerings include cotton, synthetic, and blended yarns, such as compact, slub, core-spun, double yarns, mélange, and value-added synthetic blends. The company also manufactures knitted fabrics, leveraging its expanding circular knitting infrastructure. These offerings are well-aligned with evolving global demand for innovative, sustainable, and high-performance textile materials, positioning GHCL Textiles as a preferred partner for leading brands and manufacturers.
Leading manufacturer in the apparel and textile equipment industry, Ramsons is experiencing a fundamental shift in its company philosophy, now embodied by its new logo: ‘Sustainable Thinking.’
This new direction highlights the company’s entire product portfolio and future innovations, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental stewardship.
With a long-standing desire to give back to Mother Earth, Ramsons is particularly focused on water conservation and purification. The company strives to return clean water to the environment, utilizing technologies that minimize ecological impact. Their product range like their Nebuizers and Liquor Ratio Machines are designed for low liquor ratio processing, reducing+g water usage drastically.
Pioneering the use of Ozone technology, Ramsons offers equipment that reduces reliance on chemicals and water for processes such as bleaching, anti-back staining, and acid washes. Furthermore, their drying and finishing systems are engineered for significant energy reduction, including a move towards electrical steam generators.
A true ‘Make in India’ Ramsons has impressed globally with its technological advancements/. The company integrates with modern Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) water treatment systems to offer comprehensive sustainability solutions. In future, they plan to explore recyclable energies, energy-efficient components, and innovative dyeing processes using inert gases, ozone, and hydrogen to reduce water, chemical, and solvent consumption.
Beyond dyeing and finishing, Ramsons’ offers equipment like zero tension fabric inspection machines for accurate measurement and relaxed handling, and RFID-based warehousing systems for enhanced traceability. Their turnkey laundry systems feature cutting-edge washers, hydro extractors including automatic and labor-reducing models, and the Vertostar series with jet spray technology achieving liquor ratios below 1:3. The innovative Washex technology incorporates nebulizing for over 90 per cent effluent reduction, and their ECOSOFT software provides complete laundry chain traceability.
Since 1950, Ramsons has been a forerunner in sustainable technology in Asia. Starting with ironing and steam equipment, they expanded into laundry machinery in the 80s and formed international joint ventures in the 90s. Today, they proudly manufacture over 100 sustainable products in India, exporting globally and demonstrating that environmental responsibility and manufacturing excellence go hand in hand.
As India consolidates its position as a denim and textile powerhouse, the 7th Edition of Denimsandjeans India will showcase the evolution of denim through a curated display of innovations, ranging from heritage washes and selvege fabrics to futuristic coatings and sustainable blends.
To be held from May 14 – 15, 2025 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, this year’s event will focus on the theme, ‘50 Shades of Denim: Because one shade is never enough.’” It will offer professionals across the denim value chain an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.
This year, Denimsandjeans India will feature a series of panel discussions and keynote sessions, bringing together industry experts to discuss pivotal topics shaping the denim sector.
Topics for these sessions will include: Circular Denim & Post-Consumer Waste Integration;’ ‘The Evolution of Denim Culture: Identity, Expression & Social Change;’ ‘Navigating Innovations Through Changing Denim Trends;’and ‘Indiwool – A Product of the IIT Startup Ecosystem.’ As part of the event, WGSN will present an exclusive outlook for Autumn/Winter 2026–27 denim trends. The session will include not only visual forecasts but also physical sample references, offering early insights for product teams, designers, and developers working on long-term collections.
In addition to product showcases and trend zones, the show will host interactive workshops on sustainability, technology, and design, creative installations and denim art displays, networking lunch for engaging, casual conversations, evening mixers with music, food, and an energetic atmosphere.
Hailing the recent joint initiative by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) to draft a national cotton policy and standardize sale and purchase contracts for raw cotton, the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA), however urged the government to ensure the inclusion of all stakeholders in these critical discussions.
KCA emphasized on its longstanding efforts to gather stakeholders of the cotton economy for a unified strategy aimed at increasing national cotton production. The association stressed, such coordination helps not only meet the growing demands of the local textile industry but also generate a surplus for export, thereby saving and earning valuable foreign exchange.
KCA had earlier developed a draft contract for the local sale and purchase of raw cotton, which includes arbitration mechanisms under the association’s bylaws. It0 urged the APTMA to accept this document instead of initiating a time-consuming process to create a new draft from scratch.
KCA also urged the government to implement quality improvement measures for cotton production, standardize packing practices, and ensure a uniform bale weight of 170 kg. It reiterated that cotton exporters play a key role in market stabilization and that their interests, along with those of growers and traders, should be reflected in the final policy.
In Q4, FY25, Sutlej Textiles and Industries reduced its net loss to Rs 12.59 crore from Rs 25.55 crore reported in the same period of the previous year.
Reflecting its focus on operational efficiency and market expansion, the textile manufacturer’s revenues increased by 3.4 per cent to Rs 678.67 crore during the quarter.
This positive financial outcome was a result of the company’s cost management strategies and improved sales, strategic market expansion and product innovation.
Going forward, the company will continue focusing on improving operational efficiency, expand its product portfolio to cater to evolving consumer preferences, explore new markets, both domestic and international, for further growth.
