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A pioneer in intelligent sewing equipment, the China-based Hikari has launched the world’s first template-free sewing machine - H1 85250. Developed entirely by a Chinese enterprise, this machine marks a transformative leap for smart manufacturing in the apparel sector.
The H1 85250 fundamentally redefines industrial sewing by eliminating the need for bulky, physical templates. This core innovation delivers unparalleled cost savings and significant environmental benefits, capturing the attention of industry leaders across the U.S. and beyond.
The new platform operates on advanced AI-driven technologies that allow it to automatically identify different fabrics and adjust all process parameters in real time. This capability enables seamless ‘multifunctional operation with one-click switching,’ allowing manufacturers to adapt instantly to diverse production demands, minimize downtime, and boost overall efficiency.
At the heart of the H1 85250 is Hikari’s proprietary intelligent thread tension control technology, a development that breaks through century-old structural constraints in sewing machines. The result is flawless, oil-free stitches with no loose threads, easily meeting the stringent quality standards required for high-end apparel.
The template-free technology is poised to deliver immense global benefits. Projections estimate annual savings exceeding $10 million in template costs for the worldwide garment industry. For U.S.-based brands relying on outsourced production, these savings translate directly to a meaningful reduction in manufacturing expenses.
Equally compelling is the machine’s sustainability advantage. By eliminating the consumption of acrylic plates used for traditional templates, the H1 85250 drastically reduces industrial waste. This environmental benefit directly supports global ‘Dual Carbon’ goals and aligns seamlessly with US. corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities, proving that high-end quality and eco-conscious production can go hand-in-hand.
Released by the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the export performance figures for August 2025 for Sri Lanka’s apparel sector show mixed results. While the country registered a slight decline in monthly exports s compared to the previous year, the industry maintained a healthy cumulative growth across the first eight months of 2025.
In August 2025, total apparel exports by Sri Lanka declined by 1.33 per cent Y-o-Y to $479.14 million, from August 2024. This decline was largely driven by softening demand in key markets. The nation’s dxports to the EU fell by 4.83 per cent, while shipments to the UK dropped by 2.6 per cent.Sri Lanka’s exports to the US, however, showed a modest gain of 0.92 per cent.
Despite the August contraction, the sector sustained positive momentum over the January–August 2025 period. Total year-to-date exports grew by 7.48 per cent to S$3.39 billion from $3.16 billion during the same period in 2024. This cumulative growth was supported by strong performance across all major regions as exports to the EU increased by 14.66 per cent, the US rose by 2.58 per cent, UK by 4.54 per cent and other markets by 9.45 per cent
Commenting on these results, JAAF stated, the month of August reflects the volatility in global markets, with pressure on exports to the EU and UK. However, the organization’s year-to-date performance demonstrates resilience, particularly with strong growth into the EU.”
The organization noted, the industry continues to face challenges but remains focused on enhancing competitiveness, diversification, and maintaining sustained engagement with key trading partners.
JAAF reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating closely with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure the Sri Lankan apparel industry maintains stability and is well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities within an uncertain global economic environment.
On September 23, 2025, prominent Albstadt-based manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machines, Mayer & Cie, filed a petition with the Hechingen District Court to open insolvency proceedings under self-administration.
A fourth-generation, owner-managed company, Mayer & Cie employs approximately 280 people at its headquarters. The company’s specialized circular knitting and braiding machines are highly valued by textile manufacturers globally, with nearly all production being exported. The employees' salaries and wages are secured for three months through insolvency benefits.
Mayer & Cie is operating in a tumultuous global market, facing a severe combination of decreased demand and rising costs.
The trade dispute between the US and China, coupled with the war in Ukraine, has triggered a worldwide reluctance to invest in new machinery.
A crucial export market for the company, Turkey is grappling with extremely high inflation, severely undermining the competitiveness of local textile manufacturers.
Simultaneously, state-subsidized manufacturers from China are able to offer their textile machinery at significantly lower prices on the global market.
These factors resulted in a devastating sales slump of nearly 50 per cent over the last year, even as the company's operating costs increased.
The decision to file for self-administration provides the company with a legal mechanism to reposition and restructure while maintaining normal business operations. This framework differs significantly from standard insolvency proceedings, as corporate responsibility remains with the current management team, who directly oversee the restructuring process.
To support this critical phase, the management is being advised by an experienced restructuring expert, Martin Mucha of the law firm Grub Brugger, who has joined the company as the General Representative. In a self-administration filing, the competent local court appoints a provisional administrator to monitor the proceedings in the interest of the creditors. Attorney Ilkin Bananyarli from Pluta Rechtsanwalts GmbH has been appointed to this role for Mayer & Cie.
The China International Sewing Machinery & Accessories Show (CISMA) has once again taken center stage in Shanghai, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from around the world.
Themed, ‘Smart Sewing Empowers New-Quality Industrial Development,’ CISMA 2025, commenced on September 24, 2025, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, marking a significant milestone in the industry's journey towards innovation and sustainability.
A showcase of innovation and excellence
Nearly 1,600 leading global companies are participating in CISMA 2025, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, products, and solutions that are transforming the sewing industry. The exhibition features a wide range of innovative products, including intelligent sewing machines, green technology, and integrated digital solutions. These advancements are not only revolutionizing the textile and apparel sector but also contributing to diverse industries such as home furnishings, automotive, and aviation ¹ ².
Key highlights
Record-breaking attendance: As of September 24, the exhibition has attracted 30,432 visitors, representing a 12 per cent Y-o-Y growth. Overseas visitors have increased by 58 per cent, with 7,280 attendees from around the world.
Strategic partnerships: The event has brought together industry leaders, partners, and global workers to discuss the future of intelligent manufacturing and sustainable development.
New product launches: Companies like Shanggong Shenbei Group have unveiled strategic new products, including the ‘All-Powerful King 3,’ which features disruptive breakthroughs in sewing technology .
Industry insights and future direction
CISMA 2025 has also provided a platform for industry experts to share insights and discuss future directions. He Ye, Vice President emphasized the importance of innovation leadership, intelligent development, and global cooperation in driving the industry's growth. The event has highlighted the industry's commitment to developing new quality productivity, building a new industrial system, and laying the foundation for a good start in the 15th Five-year Plan.
A hub for global collaboration
CISMA 2025 has demonstrated its commitment to building a core hub for global collaboration and win-win industrial chains. The exhibition has showcased cutting-edge products and disruptive technologies, while also striving to build a high-performance ecosystem integrating information sharing, technology promotion, trade matching, and industrial collaboration. With its unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability, CISMA 2025 is poised to propel the industry towards a high-quality, sustainable future.
The US has a major textile waste problem. Every year, millions of tons of discarded clothing and household fabrics end up buried in landfills or burned in incinerators. Yet less than 1 per cent of those discarded textiles find their way back into the system as new fibers. A new report, ‘Rags to Revenue: Unlocking Post-Consumer Textile Recycling in the US’, jointly published by Accelerating Circularity and Accenture, is highlighting what many experts consider one of the most pressing and overlooked sustainability challenges in America. Beyond sounding an environmental alarm, the report makes a bold case for textiles as a significant, untapped economic opportunity.
The scale of the challenge
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that textiles are one of the fastest-growing waste categories, increasing by nearly 80 per cent between 2000 and 2018. In that year alone, roughly 11.3 million tons of textiles were sent to landfills. Synthetic fabrics like polyester may take centuries to break down, while natural fibers such as cotton release methane a potent greenhouse gas when decomposing. This is not just about reducing waste—it’s about reimagining textiles as valuable resources rather than disposable products, say industry expert familiar with the study. The report’s data paints a grim picture of where used textiles currently go.
Table: Snapshot of current textile waste in the US
|
Destination of collected used textiles |
Percentage |
|
Textile-to-Textile Recycling |
<1% |
|
Downcycled into Wiping Cloths |
30% |
|
Downcycled into Other Products |
20% |
|
Reusable Textiles (National Market) |
9% |
|
Reusable Textiles (Exported) |
91% |
|
Landfill and Incineration |
5% |
The system is a patchwork of inconsistent collection programs, limited sorting capacity, and scattered recycling technology. For recyclers, the lack of large, clean, and uniform material streams creates major bottlenecks. Complicating matters further, blended fibers like poly-cotton, along with zippers, buttons, and dyes, make recycling both technically and economically challenging.
The economic case for circularity
Despite growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion, producing recycled fibers remains more expensive than sourcing virgin materials. This cost gap has slowed adoption, leaving brands reluctant to invest in circular supply chains. As per Rags to Revenue report, the economic calculus could shift if the US develops a nationwide textile recycling infrastructure. The report argues that textiles could become a new revenue stream, driving innovation, job creation, and competitiveness in a global market increasingly focused on sustainability. “Think of it as a domestic manufacturing opportunity hiding in plain sight,” said a sustainability consultant. “We have the waste. We just need the systems to transform it into value.”
Emerging models of circularity
While the barriers are steep, the report highlights companies and initiatives already charting a new course. One case study centers on SuperCircle, a start-up building take-back programs and logistics networks to connect fashion brands with textile recycling facilities. By helping brands sort garments by fiber type, SuperCircle is tackling one of the toughest obstacles in scaling fiber-to-fiber recycling: the need for clean, separated material streams.
Policy innovation is also gaining traction. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, already being debated in states like California and New York, would require fashion brands to take financial responsibility for the end-of-life of their products. If enacted, these laws could fund take-back programs, incentivize investment in recycling technologies, and shift accountability from consumers to producers. EPR could be the turning point, say policy analyst. Without that push, voluntary action alone won’t get us to scale.
From Rags to Revenue
For the fashion industry, which accounts for an outsized share of global carbon emissions comparable to aviation investing in textile recycling is not just a reputational imperative but a business necessity. If the US builds the infrastructure now, the report suggests, it could transform a costly waste stream into a profitable industry.
The message from the report is clear: scaling textile recycling in the US is no longer a choice but an opportunity waiting to be seized. Success will depend on collaboration across brands, recyclers, technology innovators, and policymakers. As the report concludes, the challenge is daunting, but the potential payoff environmental, economic, and social is immense. Turning discarded fabrics into valuable fibers could redefine the future of American textiles, proving that yesterday’s rags may indeed be tomorrow’s revenue.
Global textile certification body Oeko-Tex spotlighted sustainability and transparency at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition (Sept 2–5), participating as a lead exhibitor and voice in Messe Frankfurt’s Econogy platform. The company is marking a decade of its Made in Green label while tackling the challenges posed by fast fashion.
Speaking on the sidelines, Dr. Alfred J. Beerli, CEO of Oeko-Tex, outlined how the organization is tightening its focus on traceability, chemical safety, and circularity, even as fast fashion growth challenges the industry’s sustainability goals.
“Oeko-Tex is one of the oldest certification schemes worldwide — more than 34 years in the market,” Dr. Beerli said. “We started with the Standard 100, which made us very popular, and today 17 institutes worldwide collaborate with us to test garments, leather products, and textiles for leading brands.”
Three decades of certification
Over its 30-year history, Oeko-Tex has issued more than 235,000 certificates globally. The system is built on three core standards:
● Standard 100: This original product-level certification tests textiles for harmful substances, making Oeko-Tex a globally recognized name.
● STeP (Sustainable Textile and Leather Production): A facility- and process-level standard that audits occupational health and safety, fair wages, and environmental management.
● Made in Green: Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, this consumer-facing label combines the other two standards. It provides traceability through a QR code that allows shoppers to track a product back to its manufacturing facility and raw materials. Over 600 facilities worldwide are currently Made in Green certified.
Dr. Beerli described the label as "one of the most premium tools in the market for sustainable textiles and apparel."
Sustainability as a journey, not a badge
The Oeko-Tex CEO stressed that certification is not just a marketing tick-box but a pathway to better business. “It’s a way of operational excellence. You learn your processes better, optimize inputs and outputs, save energy and water, and treat your people fairly. While certification should not be seen as a quick fix to attract more business, it undeniably makes manufacturers more attractive to global brands.”
He added that certification “somehow” prepares manufacturers for emerging compliance regimes worldwide, but the real value lies in efficiency, responsibility, and trust.
Navigating complex compliance
The regulatory landscape is shifting fast. Europe has led on chemical and sustainability laws, though some targets for 2027 are already being recalibrated. Meanwhile, consumer concern is rising sharply in the U.S., especially over PFAS and toxic chemical residues.
“Trusted solutions are becoming indispensable,” Dr. Beerli said. “Oeko-Tex® offers a framework that aligns with these growing demands, not just in Europe but globally.”
Navigating complex regulations and the "Polyester Problem"
Circularity, central to Messe Frankfurt’s Econogy theme, was a focal point in Dr. Beerli’s remarks. But he cautioned that industry ambitions face a raw material reality. “Most garments today are polyester-infected. If we want a truly sustainable future, we need pure fabrics. Multi-fiber blends make circularity almost impossible at scale.”
While acknowledging innovations in fiber separation and recycling, he stressed that scalability remains the bottleneck. “The whole industry has to change — starting with the fiber,” he said.
Asia at the core, India rising
Asia is Oeko-Tex’s biggest market, led by China, followed by India, where adoption is accelerating. Though Oeko-Tex does not operate labs in China or India, all testing is conducted at its 17 partner institutes in Europe and Japan to maintain consistent quality.
“China has the full supply chain at scale,” Dr. Beerli said. “India also has the full supply chain, but not yet to the same maturity. Still, we see rising ESG preparedness, good penetration, and very strong potential.”
The Road Ahead: India Summit
Looking ahead, Oeko-Tex will host its India Summit in December 2025, bringing together leading fiber, yarn, and fabric producers. Organized in collaboration with its Indian representation, the summit aims to align the country’s suppliers with the evolving global ESG and sustainability compliance agenda.
“It will be an Indian event, with all the famous names of the supply chain present,” Dr. Beerli confirmed. “I am a big supporter of collaboration, because no single organization can cover the whole world. We have to work together and find new solutions for the future of our planet.”
As sustainability regulation tightens worldwide and fast fashion consumption accelerates, Oeko-Tex positions itself as both watchdog and enabler. “We cannot save the world alone,” Dr. Beerli reflected. “But we can help manufacturers become better — and provide consumers with the transparency they increasingly demand.”
Global fiber production is set to expand with synthetic fibers steadily increasing their dominance over natural materials, according to the 2025 Materials Market Report by Textile Exchange. While wood-pulp-based cellulosic fibers have remained stable, the report registers a marginal growth in the overall share of recycled fibers, with the exception of the wool segment.
The report says, in 2024, global fiber production grew by 6.5 per cent to reach 132 million tons Synthetic fibers accounted for a massive 69 per cent of the total, up nine percentage points from 2020. Polyester alone made up 59 per cent of global output, reaching 78 million tons in 2024, and its production continues to rise. Recycled polyester also saw a modest increase, from 8.9 million tons to 9.3 million tons. Polyamide (nylon) remained the second most-produced synthetic fiber, representing 5 per cent of global output.
Cotton's share in the declined from 20 per cent in 2023 to 19 per cent in 2024, with virgin cotton production at 24.1 million tons.
Despite this decline, the report noted a positive trend: the percentage of cotton certified to sustainability standards increased to 34 per cent from 28 per cent in the previous year. Recycled cotton remained stable at just 1 per cent of global production, or 300,000 tons.
The third-largest fiber group, Cellulosics maintained a 6 per cent global market share, totaling 8.4 million tons in 2024. Recycled volumes within this category saw a slight increase.
Other plant-based fibers accounted for 6.9 million tons, with jute making up 54 per cent of the total, followed by cotton fiber at 26 per cent. Flax and hemp together represented just 0.5% of global fiber production.
Animal fibers continued to make up only 1 per cent of total global production. Wool accounted for 0.9 per cent, and the share of recycled wool grew from 6 per cent to 7 per cent, reaching 83,000 tons. Cashmere, mohair, and alpaca maintained marginal market shares.
Why is Citi Trends presenting at the Global Consumer & Retail Conference? Find out what this off-price retailer's CEO and CFO will discuss.
A top off-price retailer of clothing, accessories and home goods, Citi Trends, Inc is set to be the presenter at the first-ever Global Consumer & Retail Conference.
Hosted by Telsey Advisory Group and Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, the event will be held in New York City on October 8, 2025.
Ken Seipel, CEO, and Heather Plutino, CFO, Citi Trends will represent the company at the conference. A live webcast of their presentation will be available on the cititrends.com website under the Investor Relations section. An archived version will be accessible online for 90 days after the event.
Citi Trends, Inc is a leading value retailer in the United States, primarily serving African American families. The company currently operates 590 stores across 33 states.
India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended an anti-dumping duty (ADD) of $102–173 per ton on Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) imported from Gulf nations and Singapore. However, the downstream textile industry has cautioned the government against accepting the recommendation, warning, it would hinder the growth of the man-made fiber (MMF) textile and apparel sectors. This comes right after a GST cut on the MMF value chain had boosted prospects for industry expansion.
The DGTR concluded, MEG imports from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore were being ‘dumped’ in the Indian market, causing harm to local producers. These findings follow a year-long investigation initiated at the request of the Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturers Association of India (CPMA), primarily backed by Reliance Industries (RIL).
The investigation began last September after allegations that exporters from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore were selling MEG in India at unfairly low prices. MEG is a key raw material for polyester yarns, PET resins, and antifreeze, making it vital for India’s textile and packaging industries. RIL, which accounts for over 70–80 per cent of domestic production, argued that low-priced imports had depressed local prices and hurt its profitability.
The DGTR determined, exporters from these countries sold MEG at prices significantly below their normal value, with dumping margins ranging from 20–50 per cent. It found, despite increased domestic capacity, unfairly priced imports had undercut prices and eroded profitability for Indian producers.
Supported by the CPMA, RIL claimed, government intervention in Gulf markets distorted raw material costs, giving exporters an unfair advantage. Exporters, however, maintained that their prices reflected true market conditions and attributed the decline to global price trends rather than dumping.
Following the DGTR's recommendations, the proposed anti-dumping duty on MEG would range from $102–173 per ton, or about Rs 9–15 per kg.
RK Vij, Secretary General, Polyester Textile Apparel Industry Association (PTAIA), states, Indian MEG is already costlier by Rs 4–5 per kg. The proposed duty will further increase the price by another Rs 4–5 per kg. The government should not accept the recommendations, as it will hamper the growth of the entire textile value chain.
The rationalized GST has brightened prospects for the MMF textile industry. India can expect rapid growth in the MMF segment after the GST cut. But the proposed duty will nullify these benefits, he adds. If the government accepts the recommendations, yarn and fabric imports will rise from China and other countries, and the Indian MMF textile and garment industry will struggle to compete globally.
Vij notes, industry representatives plan to meet with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to urge the government not to impose the recommended anti-dumping duties. MEG manufacturers have attempted to push for such duties before, but the government had rejected those measures.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of OC Oerlikon Textile Holding AG and Oerlikon Textile Inc. by Rieter Holding AG and Rieter North America Inc.
This deal gives Rieter sole control over the acquired companies.
Headquartered in Switzerland, Rieter Holding AG is a global manufacturer of textile machinery and components. Listed on the Six Swiss Exchange, the company develops and produces systems used to convert staple fibers like cotton into yarn.
Collectively known as Targets, the acquired companies specialize in spinning systems for making filaments and man-made fibers, texturing machines and non-woven solutions.
The Targets operate under the well-known brands Oerlikon Barmag, Oerlikon Neumag, and Oerlikon Nonwoven.
