08 March 2022, Mumbai:

Though the underwear sector is becoming increasingly sustainable, it still remains one of the largest contributors to clothing landfills.

As per Environmental Protection Agencyestimates, US consumers discard approximately 11 million pounds of underwear every day. Only about 15 per cent of this textile waste is recycled due to garment’s limited re-use, as per a Glossy report.

Most of the discarded underwear is downcycled, as it is made from a mix of fibers, including elastane. These fibers cannot be separated and made into new items.

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Resale, recycle programs to curb waste

The sector has been incorporating organic and bamboo materials in new underwear. However, it needs to step up efforts to combat the amount of waste it generates.

US brands like Parade are recycling old underwear into new ones.

While others like Modibodi are making their products biodegradable.

Two-year old brand The Big Favorite is also eliminating the use of elastic in its underwear. Over 60 per cent consumers believe, brands and retailers should offer resale and recycling programs for their products, as per a 2022 consumer behavior report from Avery Dennison.

However, the current underwear brands fail to address the needs of the whole sector.

Parade joined the Science Based Initiative to help companies reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals. The brand also collaborated with well-known US recycling company Terracycle to introduce a take-back program.

The partnership aims to curb the dumping of underwear into landfills. Kerry Steib, Head-Impact, Parade says, the partnership aims to find ways to convert these underwear made from blended materialsinto new products like housing materials, insulation and furniture.

The brand is creating a bio-elastane material to recycle underwear into new ones.

Parade is also introducing new ways to increase supply chain transparency. The brand is providing opportunities to consumers to get involved into its activities, adds Steib.

Opting for biodegradable materials

Meanwhile other apparel companies are focusing on launching underwear products made from biodegradable materials.

Two years ago, underwear brand Modibodilaunched a range of biodegradable brief made using both natural and bioengineered synthetic textiles. Each of these briefs has an inside liner, making it period-proof. Kristy Chong, Founder and CEO, says, these brief reduces environmental impact by eliminating waste.

The briefs launched by Modibodi underwear are Standard100 certified by Oeko-Tex.

They are also free of harmful chemicals with 97 percent components scientifically proven to break down into nontoxic substances.

Durable and tested to perform even after 100 washes, the briefs offer the same quality as the rest of Modibodi’s products.

Other companies like The Big Favorite are offering underwear that can be directly recycled into new underwear. The brand provides customers a QR code on the garment’s label that can be used to return the item.

The brand thencleans and sorts these garments and sends them to a textile recycling partner in Peru. This helps the brand recycle these fibers into new under wear, thus extending their lifespan.

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05 March 2022, Mumbai:

According to official data released by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country's textile exports increased by 37.40 percent on a year-over-year basis in February of this year, reaching US $ 1.69 billion, the highest monthly total ever.

Textile exports increased by 9% in February '22, compared to the same month the previous year. With a great performance in textile manufacturing, Pakistan was able to generate US $ 12.62 billion in the July-February period of FY '22, up from US $ 10 billion in the same period of FY '21, or a 26.20 percent increase. 

ALSO READ: PAKISTAN TO CONTINUE WITH THE TEXTILE AND APPAREL POLICY 2020-25

"Pakistan is still benefiting from the export orders it captured during the peak of COVID-19 in the world, when its competitors were completely shut down and Pakistan managed to keep its industrial sector open by opting for the smart lockdown policy," said Javed Bilwani, Chairman, Pakistan Apparel Forum.

Javed also expressed grave concerns about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating that fluctuations in gas prices on the international market could drive up manufacturing costs in the coming weeks, especially if European nations begin purchasing gas from the global market as a result of Russian supply disruptions.

"A nation like Pakistan would be in a precarious position since RLNG is very expensive for us," Javed pointed out.

RELATED ARTICLE Indian traders rule out cotton exports to Pakistan

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CREDITS: Apparel Resources.

04 March 2022, Mumbai:

The sewing machine sector in China generated US $ 3.15 billion in export sales in 2021, according to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). China's sewing machine exports were valued at US $ 2.36 billion in 2020, representing a 33.47 percent annual growth rate in 2021.

China sold 4.77 million sets of industrial sewing machines in 2021, up 22.10 percent year on year and bringing in US $ 1.54 billion in export income, up 48.07 percent from the previous year.

Embroidery machine has achieved an export volume of 31.20 thousand sets (priced at a minimum of US $ 2,000 each set) worth US $ 350 million, representing a 60.41 percent and 81.43 percent increase in volume and value, respectively.

China's sewing machines exports to Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America have expanded at a two-digit rate across continents. Exports to Asian nations, in particular, have surpassed $ 2 billion, up 39.33 percent from 2020.

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Exports to Europe increased by 22.16 percent to US $ 360 million, while exports to South America increased by 41.54 percent to US $ 300 million. China's sewing machines exports to North America were US $ 200 million in 2021, an increase of 10.38 percent year over year.

In the region, China shipped sewing machines worth $ 2 billion to nations along the "Belt and Road," up 43.63 percent from the previous year. 

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*CREDITS: Apparel Resources.

08 March 2022, Mumbai:

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Faruque Hassan had said that Bangladesh and India had enormous scope to complement each other for the development of apparel and textile industries of both neighbouring countries.

He stressed the need for more collaboration and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries involving business communities and trade associations to explore avenues towards deriving two-way trade benefits.

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The BGMEA president made the observation at a meeting with Sri Narain Aggarwal, former chairman of the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council, at BGMEA’s PR office in the capital’s Gulshan area on Saturday.

BGMEA vice-presidents Shahidullah Azim and Miran Ali were also present at the meeting. They discussed possible areas of collaboration between BGMEA and SRTEPC to identify mutual business opportunities and work to make the best use of them.

They also talked about how both associations could work together to create a bridge between apparel and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and India to facilitate meaningful business interactions.

RELATED ARTICLE The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Faruque Hassan: Bangladesh’s garment export to India will continue to grow

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CREDITS: NewAge Business. 

05 March 2022, Mumbai:

The NIFT-TEA Knitwear Fashion Institute have designed and developed a prototype of a knitting machine for khadi fabric. Sources said the innovation comes 22 years after the institute tried to develop such a machine, but was unsuccessful.

The new machine, developed by the Centre for Apparel Fashion Research and Education (CARE) under NIFT-TEA Knitwear Fashion Institute, has to undergo several rounds of trials before starting production.

S Arul Selvan, head of NIFT-TEA Knitwear Fashion Institute - (CARE), told TNIE, "After a detailed study of traditional techniques with weaving looms and knitting machines, we submitted a proposal to Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in 2020.

ALSO READ: TEA, Tirupur urges FM to help MSMEs with liquidity

KVIC approved our plan and sanctioned funds. The machine is made of stainless steel and is human-powered." Explaining the working of the machine, he said, "It took us four months to design the machine and six months to build it.

The machine can produce khadi fabric for innerwear, T-shirts and many others. The patent for the machine and design is jointly held by the institute and KVIC. Though the project is complete, a few modifications are needed.” NIFT-TEA Knitwear Fashion Institute’s Chairman P Mohan said, "This is the first time a knitting machine has been developed for weaving khadi fabric.

In a traditional loom, a person must sit for over eight hours to produce 15 metres of khadi fabric.

But, with this machine, it just needs a push. Simple hand movements and pedalling can produce 30 metres in 8 hours which can fetch good returns to the weavers.

Moreover, traditional weavers need cones, wrapping beams, and shutters for weaving Khadi, but in this machine, one only has to fix the cone and peddles.”

RELATED ARTICLE: Tirupur Trade Body writes SOS to Textile Minister about Cotton Prices

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CREDITS: newindianexpress.com.

07 March 2022, Mumbai:

Covid-19 pandemic was the 1st serious factor to blow a dent, and comes now bolt from the blue as Russia is at war inflicting a deadly blow to Apparel industry so no brainer Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Budh Nagar a big apparel exporters cluster is no exception. 

With war already in its 2nd week is only getting deadlier by the day so the nascent recovery is only got derailed.

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*Around 3,000 factories in the district manufacture apparels and 10 percent of their annual exports till 2020 were delivered to Russia and Ukraine, they said. It amounted to earnings from Russia worth Rs 462 crore and Rs 61.6 crore from Ukraine every year, they added.

“We are just coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic and now this war has affected us badly,” said Lalit Thukral, president of Noida Apparel Export Cluster (NAEC). 

Thukral lists out a number of issues. Traders are unlikely to get paid in time for their exports under the dollar-rouble conversion as the Russian currency has plummeted to historic lows after western nations and their allies slapped stifling sanctions targeting Moscow.

RELATED ARTICLE Garment exporters from all over India are protesting the high cost of cotton and cotton yarn

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CREDITS: TOI newindia24news.com. 

04 March 2022, Mumbai:

India’s largest influencer-led social commerce platform Trell has launched ethnic women’s wear brands W, Aurelia and Wishful on its marketplace.

The platform will offer users a diverse assortment of salwar suits, saris kurtas, lehenga sets and palazzos in the ethnic wear category through these brands.

The expansion will also boost Trell’s sales on the platform.

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A go-to destination for the latest lifestyle trends, the platform aims to build a robust fashion portfolio which caters to the needs of all shoppers, says Trell. The platform expects highest demand for apparels with the reopening of offices in March.

It expects to see a rise in demand for smart casuals and women’s ethnic wear. Based in Bengaluru, Trell launched its social commerce model in 2020.

The platform sells over 1,000 brands across categories to customers across metros, Tier,I, II, II cities in India.

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03 March 2022, Mumbai:

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. (a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited) has acquired controlling ownership in Abraham & Thakore Exports, an indigenous designer brand.

The deal's value isn't revealed. In 1992, David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore founded the company, which was later joined by Kevin Niggli.

Together, they unleashed the potential and power of Indian handlooms by infusing them with modernity and purpose via unusual, even non-conformist weaving and design interventions. It's worth noting that the design team of David Abraham, Rakesh Thakore, and Kevin Niggli will continue to steer the brand's creative path.

"Reliance Retail Venture seeks to leverage its subsidiary Reliance Brands Ltd.'s deep understanding of the affluent Indian customer and their heft across digital, retail operations, marketing, and supply chain platforms to build brand Abraham & Thakore's global appeal in the fashion and lifestyle category," according to a statement from Reliance Retail.

RRVL is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd. It serves as the holding company for the Group's retail businesses.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, it had a combined turnover of Rs. 1,57,629 crore. Apart from investments in designer Manish Malhotra, Reliance Retail formed a collaboration with Indian couturier, Anamika Khanna, last year.

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Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, said, "Abraham & Thakore's innovative use of material and creative take on conventional textile methods have established a highly distinctive design trademark for the brand."

There is a wider awareness of Abraham & Thakore's timeless design as a result of a generational shift in Indian luxury clientele, and we are happy to partner with the brand to bring its distinctive depiction of Indian workmanship to consumers all over the world."

The partnership, according to David Abraham, would increase the brand's awareness and bring together fashion and lifestyle sectors such as home furnishings and leisurewear.

RELATED ARTICLE: Reliance Retail, The fashion and lifestyle division: Achieves its greatest quarterly revenue ever

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*CREDITS: Apparel Reources.

07 March 2022, Mumbai:

New measurement and design techniques combined with production methods and innovative materials transform the quality, range, and applications of intimate wear.

For instance, German lingerie designs show a new trend toward muted colors such as earthy tones, navy blue, and pastel colors. Lingerie designers are coming up with many new designs that are embroidered and have two-tone color patterns and most of them are asymmetrical.

Animal prints and organic shapes combined with geometrical patterns are also in fashion. Luxurious, elegant, desirable, and evocative vintage lingerie is also gaining popularity in both the fashion markets and modern intimate apparel.

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According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Intimate Wear Market by Gender (Women and Men), Age Group (1317 Years, 1835 Years, and 36 Years & Above), Price (Luxury, Super-Premium, Premium, Medium, Economy, and Low), Distribution Channel (Mass Merchandizers, Mono brand Stores, Specialized Stores, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025 the global intimate wear market is expected to generate $325.36 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2018 to 2025. In 2017, Asia-Pacific led the intimate wear market, followed by North America.

Growth in the region is supplemented by an increase in national per capita disposable income and growth in fashion consciousness among the young generation.

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CREDITS: einnews.com. 

04 March 2022, Mumbai:

Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA) has urged the Union Finance Minister to help the MSME units with liquidity. MSMEs in India are facing liquidity issues due to an unprecedented increase in raw material and cotton yarn prices in the last 15 months, says TEA.

Around 95 percent of units in the garment exports sector come under MSMEs and they need a fresh infusion of funds to revive.

The government should introduce a new scheme similar to ECLGS and permit MSMEs to avail of additional credit facility of 10 percent to 20 percent of the existing limit, it adds TEA also urged the government to extend the Interest Equalisation Scheme on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit that expired on September 30, 202 with retrospective effect (October 1, 2021).

ALSO READ: TEA advocates for a two-year extension of the IES on pre-and post-shipment rupee export credit

The Coimbatore District Small Industries’ Association sought new loan schemes for start-ups and extension of collateral-free automatic loans for MSMEs to meet operational liabilities and restart businesses.

It also insisted on the removal of high credit scores and security collaterals, which many small-time borrowers are unable to meet. Coimbatore and Tiruppur District Tiny and Micro Enterprises’ Association urged for a reduction in GST for job working engineering units to 5 percent from 12 percent.

RELATED ARTICLE: Tirupur exporters meet FM, urging to help SMEs

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02 March 2022, Mumbai:

Telangana has been a leader in attracting investment in the textile and garment manufacturing industries, and the state is now creating a strategy to attract even more investors.

In a meeting with Textiles Commissioner Shailaja Ramaiyer and Venkat Narasimha Reddy, MD, TSIIC, KT Rama Rao, the state's Handlooms Minister, recommended the preparation of a roadmap for the state's textiles sector's continued growth and strengthening.

It's worth noting that textile exporting behemoths like Kitex Garments, Texport Industries, and a few others have made significant investments in the state.

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The Minister stated that the State Government's programs and strategies for the welfare and development of weavers had yielded positive outcomes over the previous seven years.

He outlined the government's creative programs and initiatives for the welfare of weavers and the growth of the textiles industry.

"The Telangana government has given top attention to the growth of the textiles sector, which employs the most people in the country after agriculture."

The focus is also on giving all amenities to support the sector," Rama Rao said, noting that the country's largest textile park, Kakatiya Textile Park, was established in Telangana as part of this endeavor.

RELATED ARTICLE: Telangana has urged the Union Government to help the state's textile industry

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*CREDITS: invest.telangana & Apparel Resources.