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Italian luxury group Ermenegildo Zegna’s adjusted operating profit contracted by 16.4 per cent to €184 million ($198 million) in 2024, as the group stepped up investments despite a challenging environment.
However, the group’s adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) exceeded analysts' expectations to around €175 million.
Having witnessed a 9 per cent decline in sales last year to €1.95 billion due to weakness in China, the group expects revenues to range between €2.2 billion to €2.4 billion in 2027. The group’s adjusted EBIT is expected to reach €250-300 million by the same year.
The company continues to adopt a cautious approach while also remaining committed to delivering on our projects, says Gildo Zegna, Chairman and CEO. Protecting its brands’ identity remains the first priority for the company, adds Zegna. Besides Zegna, the group also owns other fashion brands like Thom Browne and Tom Ford Fashion.
The Lenzing Group, a global leader in wood-based specialty fibers, recently hosted the Lenzing Conclave at The Orlov Hotel in Panipat, India, drawing key manufacturers and exporters from the home textile industry.
The exclusive event served as a collaborative platform to explore Lenzing’s latest sustainable fiber innovations and their versatile applications in home textiles such as carpets, rugs, bed linens, terry towels, and filled products like comforters and pillows.
Lenzing presented its advanced fiber portfolio, including Tencel Lyocell A100, LF, x Micro, Fill, and Lenzing Ecovero Black, highlighting their role in enhancing product performance while minimizing environmental impact. A special focus was placed on the use of Lenzing fibers in structural bed linens, demonstrating how they enable unique textures and aesthetics across both basic and intricate weaving designs.
Avinash Mane, Senior Commercial Director for AMEA & NEA in Commercial Textiles at Lenzing Group, underscored the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. “With sustainability at the core of everything we do, Lenzing is committed to offering high-performance fiber solutions that support the transition to a greener home textile industry,” he stated.
The conclave facilitated engaging discussions, live product showcases, and meaningful networking, reinforcing Lenzing’s leadership in sustainable fiber solutions. The company expressed gratitude to all attendees for their active participation and reiterated its commitment to driving eco-conscious innovation through strong industry partnerships in India and beyond.
A startup from Kerala, Bio-Aryavedic Naturals, has introduced an eco-friendly alternative to traditional starching methods. The company has launched a fabric stiffening spray made from tapioca.
Named, ‘Albedon fabric ironing stiffener spray,’ this product is easy to use during ironing. It not only makes clothes stiff but also adds shine, making them last longer, and keeping them cleaner.
Vineetha AK and Arun Bhaskar, Founders, emphasize, the spray can absorb greenhouse gases and turn them into oxygen, which helps clean the surrounding air
Albedon has been tested at the Central Government’s Textile Testing Laboratory besides undergoing clinical evaluations at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram. The company also received support and funding from the Kerala Startup Mission.
Bio-Aryavedic Naturals was among the top five startups at the Naaripreneur for Her program by IIM Visakhapatnam, beating out 155 other startups from 24 states. They've also been recognized by NBCC India and were chosen by IIT Madras to showcase their innovation at the Bharat Tex 2025 Global Textile Event in New Delhi.
Karl Mayer has introduced two innovative machines - the RMF 8 EL and HDR 9 EL NET - designed for the efficient and economical production of high-performance stone bags used in demanding construction environments. These warp knitting machines cater to different manufacturing approaches: the HDR 9 EL NET produces ready-to-use tubular sacks in one piece, while the RMF 8 EL delivers flat textile sheets for later assembly.
Built for extreme durability, the stone bags are made from coarse net structures using recycled polyester or polyethylene fibres. They can hold stones weighing from one to 12 tonnes, making them ideal for coastal erosion control, bridge pier foundation reinforcement, disaster recovery structures, and temporary road bases. Their resistance to rust and corrosion ensures long service life even under seawater exposure.
The RMF 8 EL offers exceptional flexibility, supporting widths up to 190 inches and multiple gauges (E3, E4, E8, E9) to tailor robustness to specific needs. The HDR 9 EL NET, available in gauges E4 and E7, streamlines production with ready-made net bags that require no sewing or finishing, significantly reducing manufacturing time and labour.
Lightweight yet highly stable, these stone bags are easy to transport, handle, fill, and install, even with crane assistance minimising the need for skilled labour on-site. Their net structures adapt easily to uneven surfaces and effectively fill gaps, ensuring secure placement in varied terrains.
With wide-ranging applications in infrastructure, marine, and emergency construction, Karl Mayer’s new machines deliver versatile, eco-friendly solutions that meet modern industrial demands with speed, precision, and reliability.
Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian federal government is stepping up to help cotton farmers in Telangana, a major cotton-producing state, by buying large quantities of their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This move comes as market prices for cotton have been dropping, putting farmers at risk.
G Kishan Reddy, Federal Minister and President – Telangana, BJP says, the government’s actions are benefiting over 900,000 cotton farmers in the state.
He highlights, a government agency, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has set up 110 buying centers across Telangana. So far in the 2024-25 growing season, they've purchased over 21 million quintals of cotton, which adds up to roughly 155.56 billion rupees.
Telangana is the third-largest cotton-producing state in India, and the government has significantly increased its support to farmers there in recent years. Since 2014-15, the Modi government has bought cotton worth over more than Rs 580 billion, providing much-needed financial assistance to farmers. Additionally, the MSP for cotton has more than doubled, going from Rs 3,750 per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs 7,121 in 2024-25.
The government's support goes beyond simply buying cotton. They're also providing farmers with resources like soil testing, high-quality seeds, fertilizers, farm loans, insurance, irrigation, and warehouses. And they're making sure farmers get a fair price for their crops. The CCI steps in to buy cotton whenever market prices fall below the MSP, providing a safety net for farmers.
The Modi government has set MSPs for 22 different crops, including cotton, ensuring that farmers receive at least 50 per cent more than their production costs. The current cotton procurement drive in Telangana reinforces the government’s dedication to protecting farmers' incomes and providing them with financial stability.
The Cellulose Fibres Conference 2025, held on 12–13 March in Cologne, Germany, drew leading industry experts, researchers, and innovators to explore sustainable fibre solutions across textiles, hygiene, and packaging. The event reinforced its position as the premier global platform for the cellulose fibre sector, offering two days of high-quality presentations and robust discussions on advancing eco-friendly technologies.
Cellulose fibres such as viscose, lyocell, and modal, traditionally made from wood-based pulp, are now being complemented by innovations using agricultural waste, recycled textiles, and paper-grade pulp. This shift toward alternative raw materials reflects the industry's growing focus on sustainability and circular economy practices.
This year, biosynthetics were introduced for the first time, gaining significant attention. Experts explored challenges in scale-up, biodegradability, and performance compared to fossil-based synthetics. Sessions covered fibre-to-fibre recycling, marine biodegradability, microplastic reduction, and cutting-edge technologies for pulp and fibre development.
Rahul Bansal of Birla Cellulose highlighted the event’s importance for global collaboration, noting rising investments in cellulose-based product development. Andreas Engelhardt of The Fiber Year reported an annual global capacity expansion of 200,000 tonnes, while Marina Crnoja-Cosic of Textile ETP projected 17 per cent annual growth from 2024 to 2029, driven mainly by Lyocell. Simone Seisl added that Lyocell is replacing declining cotton production due to climate change.
To support future development, CIRFS proposed a unified cellulose fibre standard, including types like viscose, modal, lyocell, and emerging fibres. The proposal received strong backing, including from Ikea, which expressed interest in scaling up cellulose fibre usage.
A key highlight was the ‘Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2025’ award. SA-Dynamics (Germany) won for biodegradable cellulose aerogel insulation textiles. Releaf Paper France earned recognition for converting urban leaf waste into fibres, and Uluu (Australia) impressed with seaweed-derived PHA polymers as plastic alternatives in textiles.
Sponsors like GIG Karasek, Birla Purocel, List Technology AG, Valmet, and Dienes played vital roles in the conference’s success. Social media engagement extended the event’s reach, while on-site networking tools fostered collaboration. A traditional German bowling night added a social touch to the proceedings.
With growing momentum, CFC 2025 reaffirmed the industry's commitment to advancing sustainable, bio-based textile solutions.
The US textile industry, a significant contributor to the national economy, faces a complex mix of challenges. The industry employs 471,000 workers and generates $64 billion in annual output. It is a key supplier to the US military, providing over 8,000 products, and is a source of high-tech innovation for sectors ranging from healthcare to aerospace.
However, the industry has been facing numerous challenges, including economic downturns, unfair trade practices like forced labor, ill-conceived trade policies, inadequate customs enforcement, post-pandemic inventory issues, and freight and logistics challenges. These factors have hindered growth and investment, leading to a downturn in business over the past three years.Despite these challenges, the textile industry has shown resilience. In 2024, the value of US man-made fiber, textile, and apparel shipments was estimated at $63.9 billion.
Table: Value of US textile shipments
|
Category |
Value of shipments (2024) |
|
Textile Mills |
$25.0 bn |
|
Textile Products |
$23.6 bn |
|
Apparel |
$9.8 bn |
|
Man-made Fibers |
$5.5 bn |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
The US has a strong position in the global textile market. Export of fibers, textiles, and apparel were $28 billion in 2024. It is the second-largest individual country exporter of textile-related products in the world
Table: Export by category and region (value in billion)
|
Export Category |
Value (bn) |
|
Cotton, Wool, Hair |
$5.0 |
|
Yarns |
$4.0 |
|
Fabrics |
$8.0 |
|
Home Furnishings etc. |
$3.9 |
|
Apparel |
$7.1 |
|
Exports by region |
|
|
Region |
Value (bn) |
|
USMCA |
$12.2 |
|
CAFTA DR |
$3.0 |
|
Asia |
$2.8 |
|
Europe |
$2.1 |
|
Other Regions |
$2.8 |
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
The top export markets for US fibers including cotton fibers are Mexico at $36 billion followed by China at 1.9 billion. Canada, Honduras and Pakistan are the other three in the top five list.
Challenges and the way out
To address the various challenges the sector is facing, the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) and industry leaders have launched an aggressive lobbying campaign, advocating for policies to support the industry.
On major policy they are looking for is customs enforcement. The industry is pushing for robust enforcement of free trade agreement rules, closing the de minimis loophole, and fully enforcing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) to combat import fraud and circumvention of trade laws. In fact, NCTO is leading a coalition to close the de minimis loophole, which allows low-value shipments to enter the country duty-free, creating an unfair advantage for foreign competitors.
NCTO is also actively involved in advocating the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, expansion of the Berry Amendment (which requires the Department of Defense to purchase 100 per cent US-made textiles and clothing), full enforcement of the Make PPE in America Act, and increased tariffs on finished textile and apparel imports from China.
Looking ahead, the US textile industry anticipates the challenges to continue but remains optimistic about its future. The industry is focused on working with policymakers to enact supportive measures, strengthening partnerships with Western Hemisphere trading partners, and combating illegal trade practices.
From the point of view of global apparel import trends, the recent rise in Bangladesh's Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exports reveals a compelling picture. The first half of fiscal year 2024-25 shows a significant rise across major markets, highlighting shifts in sourcing strategies and evolving consumer demands.
The EU, a cornerstone of Bangladeshi RMG exports
The European Union's continued dominance as Bangladesh's primary market is undeniable. Accounting for roughly 50 per cent of the total RMG exports, the EU's imports reached $9.87 billion, a 15.22 per cent increase year-over-year.
Table: Bangladesh RMG exports to EU markets (July-Dec 2024-25)
|
Country |
Import value ($ bn) |
Growth rate (%) |
|
Germany |
2.47 |
14 |
|
Spain |
1.7 |
3 |
|
Netherlands |
1.06 |
>10 |
|
France |
1.09 |
>10 |
|
Poland |
0.79 |
28 |
|
Italy |
0.77 |
<10 |
|
Denmark |
0.56 |
>10 |
Diversification and growth: While Germany remains the top importer, the substantial growth in countries like Poland (28 per cent) indicates a diversification of import destinations within the EU. This could reflect changing consumer preferences or strategic sourcing decisions by retailers.
Varying growth rates: The disparity in growth rates, from Poland's high to Spain's modest increase, suggests that market-specific factors are at play. These could include economic conditions, retail trends, and competitive pressures.
The US a strategic shift
The US which accounts for 19-20 per cent of Bangladesh's total RMG exports, has emerged as a crucial growth market. The 17.55 per cent increase in imports ($3.84 billion) is significant, particularly in light of geopolitical trade tensions.
The imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods by the US has created a window of opportunity for alternative sourcing destinations like Bangladesh. Therefore, US buyers are actively seeking to diversify their supply chains to mitigate risks associated with reliance on a single source. This shift is not merely about cost; it also reflects concerns about supply chain resilience and ethical sourcing.
Expanding horizons
Bangladesh's success is not limited to traditional markets. The 6.70 per cent growth in exports to the UK ($2.16 billion) and the 14 per cent increase in exports to Canada ($640 million) are noteworthy. Furthermore, the strong performance in emerging markets, with a total of $3.37 billion, demonstrates Bangladesh's growing competitiveness.
Table: Bangladesh RMG exports to emerging markets (July-Dec 2024-25)
|
Country |
Import value ($ mn) |
Growth rate (%) |
|
Japan |
600 |
5.7 |
|
Australia |
430 |
7.5 |
|
India |
370 |
18 |
|
Korea |
230 |
2.84 |
|
Turkey |
220 |
43 |
India's rise: The 18 per cent growth in exports to India is particularly significant, reflecting the growing demand for affordable apparel in the expanding Indian market.
Turkey's remarkable growth: The 43 per cent growth in exports to Turkey highlights the potential of this market.
Diversification: The expanding footprint in markets like Australia, Japan, and Korea showcases Bangladesh's ability to cater to diverse consumer preferences.
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. As noted by the BKMEA president, buyers are demanding lower prices despite rising production costs. This could squeeze profit margins for Bangladeshi manufacturers. Infrastructure and supply chain bottlenecks are another bane. Gas and electricity shortages, as well as reliance on imported yarn, pose significant challenges to the industry. Banking activities and law and order situations also need to be addressed to sustain export growth.
Despite new tariff hikes and Amazon’s attempts to carve out a slice of the budget-friendly e-commerce pie, Chinese giants Temu and Shein remain steadfast in their ambition to conquer the US market. Their confidence, industry analysts suggest, stems from a potent combination of agile supply chains, data-driven strategies, and a deep understanding of the price-sensitive American consumer.
The narrative of Temu and Shein's rapid ascent is well-documented. Leveraging China's vast manufacturing ecosystem and direct-to-consumer models, they have flooded the market with ultra-low-priced apparel, home goods, and electronics. Temu, launched in the US in 2022 by PDD Holdings, and Shein, which also expanded its US presence that year, have capitalized on a perfect storm of inflation-weary consumers and the allure of "treasure hunt" shopping experiences.
However, the sceptre of increased US tariffs, ranging from 10 to 20 per cent on Chinese imports, threatens to disrupt their carefully calibrated business models. Yet, Shein’s executive chairman, Donald Tang, remains unfazed. "We will find a way to deliver the goods," Tang told AFP, emphasizing the company's commitment to maintaining affordability for US consumers. While specifics remain undisclosed, his statement underscores a broader industry sentiment: Chinese e-commerce firms are confident in their ability to adapt and overcome regulatory hurdles.
Even as tariffs pose a challenge, these companies have demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate complex regulatory environments," notes John Smith, a supply chain expert at Gartner. "Their diversified sourcing strategies and willingness to absorb some of the cost increases will likely mitigate the impact."
Unwavering momentum
A report by YipitData says, Temu and Shein have collectively captured a significant portion of the US fast-fashion market, with Temu seeing explosive growth in its first year. While exact market share numbers fluctuate, their combined user base has rapidly expanded, overshadowing Amazon's nascent ‘Haul’ platform. Apptopia data shows that Temu and Shein consistently rank among the most downloaded shopping apps in the US, indicating sustained consumer interest. And a study from Earnest Analytics reveals that consumers are increasingly allocating a larger portion of their online shopping budget to these platforms, particularly among lower-income demographics.
Perhaps what works for Shein's is its supply chain mastery. The ability to produce small batches of clothing based on real-time trend data allows Shein to minimize waste and respond rapidly to consumer demand. This agile supply chain, honed over years, provides a significant competitive advantage.
Temu relies on aggressive marketing. Temu's heavy investment in social media advertising and influencer partnerships has led to its rapid user acquisition. Their strategy of gamified shopping experiences and flash sales has resonated with younger consumers. The Chinese e-commerce giants have perfected the art of leveraging data to anticipate consumer preferences, says Emily Weiss, a retail analyst at Forrester. "Their ability to offer a constantly changing assortment of trendy products at incredibly low prices is a powerful draw for budget-conscious shoppers."
The Amazon challenge
Amazon's ‘Haul’ platform, launched in November 2024, has struggled to gain traction. The platform's inability to match the ultra-low prices and rapid product turnover of Temu and Shein has hampered its growth. As consumers increasingly prioritize affordability, Amazon faces an uphill battle in capturing a significant share of this market.
Despite the looming tariff concerns, Temu and Shein's confidence appears well-founded. Their agile business models, data-driven strategies, and deep understanding of the price-sensitive US consumer position them for continued growth. As the battle for market share intensifies, the e-commerce landscape is poised for further disruption.
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) Chairman Charles Heilig delivered the State of the Industry address at the association’s 21st Annual Meeting on March 27 in Washington, D C.
Heilig, who is also the president of Parkdale Mills, a leading US yarn and cotton product manufacturer, highlighted the industry’s key challenges and achievements over the past year. He presented economic and trade data related to the US textile supply chain and outlined NCTO’s policy priorities for 2024 and 2025.
NCTO has been advocating for strong domestic manufacturing policies, fair trade practices, and supply chain resilience. Heilig emphasized the industry’s efforts to navigate global trade shifts, rising costs, and competition while continuing to invest in innovation and sustainability.
His remarks, as prepared for delivery, along with an industry data infographic, have been made available by NCTO. The meeting, held at the Mayflower Hotel from March 24-27, brought together key textile industry stakeholders to discuss policies shaping the future of US textile manufacturing.
