In early March, Istanbul will host two major textile industry events: the textile machinery trade show ITM 2024 and the yarns and fabrics show, Texhibition Istanbul featuring 1,200 and 400 exhibitors respectively.

An international showcase for textile machinery, yarns, knitting, dyeing, printing, garment finishing, and hosiery, ITM is organised by Tüyap Fairs & Exhibition and Teknik Faire. At its last edition in 2022, ITM drew 64,500 visitors and 1,280 exhibitors.

To be held from March 04-08 at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Centre, the 2024 edition will host 1,200 exhibitors from Turkey and abroad. Delegations from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, India, and Egypt will also attend.

Texhibition Istanbul, a trade show focusing on fabrics, yarns, components, and accessories for the fashion industry, will be held at the Istanbul Expo Centre.

With a spotlight on Spring/Summer 2025 collections, the event will feature 400 Turkish manufacturers and suppliers. Backed by the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly and ITHIB, Texhibition aims to attract visitors from Europe, the Middle East, and the USA.

These events follow IFCO, the Istanbul Fashion Connection, which unfolded from February 07-10 at the Istanbul Expo Centre. The fifth edition of IFCO, organised by ITKIB, welcomed 30,000 visitors and 600 exhibitors.

Enjoying tax-free access to the European market, Turkey's textile and apparel industry encompasses around 45,000 producers, providing 2 million jobs. Exports constitute 60 per cent of the industry's revenue. In the previous year, Turkey ranked as the third-largest textiles and apparel supplier to the European Union and the 12th largest to the US.

With its strategic location bridging Europe and Asia, Istanbul serves as a hub for the global textile trade. The city's textile events not only showcase cutting-edge technology and trends but also foster crucial business connections and partnerships.

A global technology specialist, Epson and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Apparel Limited (HKRITA) have signed a joint development agreement to revolutionise textile recycling through innovative Dry Fiber Technology.

This collaboration targets the recycling of challenging textile products that have traditionally been difficult to process, thereby extending their lifespan and meeting the escalating global demand for recycled fibers.

This innovative solution promises to significantly expedite the adoption of recycled fibers by enabling the extraction of fibers from various challenging sources, including functional garments, linens, dress shirts, factory mill ends, unsold clothing pieces, and unwanted fabrics.

Epson is committed to implementing this technology expeditiously to drive positive change in textile recycling practices.

A proprietary development by Epson, the Dry Fiber Technology facilitates the creation of new value from post-consumer paper, wood, clothing, and other fibrous waste and used products.

In addition to offering recycled fiber production solutions, Epson endeavors to produce new paper and packaging materials from recycled paper and other raw materials. Furthermore, the company is actively engaged in developing stronger, more durable recycled plastics and bio-based plastics, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Through this collaboration and the innovative application of Dry Fiber Technology, Epson and HKRITA aim to pioneer a more sustainable and efficient approach to textile recycling, contributing to the global effort to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.

Parent company of Zara, Inditex is strategically expanding its low-cost brand, Lefties, in response to the growing competition from Shein, a Chinese-founded online marketplace. The emergence of Shein, known for its budget-friendly prices, has pressured retailers like Inditex and H&M to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Once known for its affordability, Zara has faced challenges in maintaining its competitive edge on pricing due to inflation and a shift towards a more upscale clientele. In response, Inditex is bolstering its budget-friendly offerings, with Lefties at the forefront of this strategy.

Originally conceived as an outlet for Zara's excess inventory, Lefties now operates in 17 countries, including emerging markets like Egypt, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Its growth underscores Inditex's commitment to catering to value-conscious consumers, even as it continues to strengthen its flagship Zara brand.

Lefties' expansion is particularly notable in Spain and Portugal, where it has seen significant customer growth, positioning itself as a viable alternative to Shein's ultra-low prices. In Spain alone, Lefties has experienced a surge in customers, trailing closely behind Shein in terms of market reach.

The brand's presence in emerging markets aligns with Inditex's strategy to capture diverse consumer segments, especially those inclined towards budget-friendly options. This approach reflects Inditex's acknowledgment of Shein's influence in the fast-fashion market and the need to stay competitive.

On social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Lefties adopts strategies similar to Shein, leveraging micro-influencers to promote its products and connect with younger demographics. This contrasts with Zara's more traditional high-fashion aesthetic in its marketing approach.

In January, India witnessed an 11 per cent surge in its RMG exports to $11.57 billion from $10.13 billion in December 2023, as per data from the Ministry of Commerce. This surge is attributed to shipments circumventing the Red Sea crisis by navigating the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.

Exports to European nations, spearheaded by Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, and Denmark, grew by 19 per cent M-o-M to $4.30 billion in January.

However, from April 2023-January 2024 of the ongoing fiscal year, India’s textile exports dipped to $27.69 billion from $29.41 billion in the corresponding period of 2022-23.

Rahul Mehta, President of the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), foresees increased expenses and operational challenges not only for India but also for countries like Bangladesh and China.

Despite the growth in RMG exports, Mehta anticipates a subdued outlook for the sector, with no significant upswing in global trade sentiment. The Red Sea crisis is expected to persist, impacting shipping costs and timelines, he emphasises.

The world's sixth-largest textiles and apparel exporter, India’s T&A sector contributes 2.3 per cent to the nation's GDP, 13 per cent to industrial production, and 12 per cent to exports. Second only to agriculture in employment, the industry directly engages 45 million people and supports an additional 100 million in allied sectors.

As per the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the textile and apparel market is on a trajectory to expand from $172.3 billion in 2022 to $387.3 billion by 2028, reflecting a commendable CAGR of 14.59 per cent.