Wonderful synergy of resources at La Textile Show

The Spring/Summer 2012 Los Angeles International Textile Show (LA TEXTILE) took place March 28-30, 2011 at the California Market Center (CMC) with a 25% increase in attendees from September’s 2010 Show.

This increase in traffic was lauded among LA TEXTILE’s sold-out exhibitor showcase. Daily seminars, the return of the Lenzing Innovation Pavilion, the Korean Pavilion by KTTA and a curated trend installation in the main lobby designed by WGSN and the CMC kept attendees excited about the many new resources LA TEXTILE had to offer.

“This is such a great Show for our brands. We come to find affordable, unique fabrics for kids,” said Serena Abel of the Splendid & Ella Moss design team. “We found some great new vendors carrying soft, easy knits.”

Nathaniel Chissman, from the Portland-based contemporary line Church & State, also shopped from several new European lines this Show. “This is the 5th time I’ve attended LA TEXTILE and I noticed a lot more European lines. I made some great, intimate connections with new vendors who I plan on continuing to work with in the future. I will be back in September for sure.”

Additional key brands and designers in attendance included Myne, 7 for all Mankind, Splendid & Ella Moss, Rodarte, Vince, Whitley Kros, William Rast, Sanrio, Rock and Republic, Jigsaw, Wren, Trina Turk, Robert Rodriguez, Rory Beca, Estevan Ramos, Joe's Jeans, Rocket Dog, Whitney Eve by Whitney Port, Lauren Conrad for Kohls, LAMade, American Apparel, Black Halo, Burning Torch, Bebe, Alo Sportswear, Bella, Fox Racing, ABS by Allen Schwartz, Adriano Goldschmied, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Pac Sun, David Meister, Disney Store, Dollimou, Forever 21, Fredericks of Hollywood, Guess, Harajuku, Heidi Merrick, Honeydew Intimates, Jessica McClintock, Joie, Karen Kane, Michael Stars, PJ Salvage, Rebelette, and many more Phil Fox of Fox Fabrics, located in LA TEXTILE’s European Showcase, noticed a tremendous amount of foot traffic in their booth. “Traffic was very good for us, we were very pleased with the turnout and saw some great new faces who we opened new accounts with. Trina Turk, 7 for all Mankind, Black Halo, Guess, Karen Kane and Citizens for Humanity all came by. ”

Read more on Wonderful synergy of resources at La Textile Show @ Fibre2fashion

Two-day event highlights India’s eminence in textiles

"Fabric to Fashion Trade Forum-2011", a two-day event organized in New York, with support from the New York Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and backed by the Consulate General of India in New York, showcased an excellent collection of Indian fashion designers.

A panel discussion on the achievements of Brand India was also held.

India’s global pre-eminence, its unparalleled development in the field of textile, apparels and fashion and the part played by the country in moulding the contours of the global economy, were greatly highlighted during the event.

The event included a series of guest lecture on emerging markets, which remained greatly focused on the Indian market, as world’s most preferred consumer market, the success journey of its textile industry and rising globalisation of its apparel trade.

A panel discussion centred on the trade, global financial challenges, development and growth prospects and also the prospects in the field of import and export.

Moreover, they also discussed the long-term prospects, strengthening human resource, FDI and measures to improve the current business atmosphere.

An exhibition of the textile and garment collection from India and a buyer-seller meet also formed a part of the event.

In recent years, India has emerged as one of the key destinations to source textiles and garments.

Original Source: Two-day event highlights India’s eminence in textiles @ Fibre2fashion

Outlast & Waxman to develop new flame retardant fabrics

Outlast Technologies Inc, Boulder/Colorado, market leader in temperature regulating phase change materials (PCMs), and Waxman Fibres Ltd, West Yorkshire/United Kingdom, are pleased to announce a new partnership. Together they developed innovative flame retardant (FR) fabrics where the FR Protex modacrylic fibre is blended with the climate regulating Outlast viscose fibre.

The new FR fabrics are produced by the renowned innovative knitter A. Sampaio & Filhos – Texteis S.A., Santa Tirso/Portugal. They consist of 60% MAC Protex and 40% CV Outlast, are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 compliant and certified by the European norm EN ISO 14116 Index 3. This International Standard specifies the performance requirements for the limited flame spread properties of materials, material assemblies and protective clothing in order to reduce the possibility of the clothing burning and thereby itself constituting a hazard.

Additional requirements for clothing are also specified. Protective clothing complying with this norm is intended to protect workers against occasional and brief contact with small igniting flames, in circumstances where there is no significant heat hazard and without presence of another type of heat. The standard increases the safety of persons risking contact with heat or flame.
Because the Protex fibre is blended with the Outlast fibre the new fabrics can provide a uniquely higher level of comfort, temperature regulation and moisture management not normally associated with protective clothing. „We are proud to present another smart development for the workwear marketplace“, says Martin Bentz, Managing Director of Outlast Europe GmbH, Heidenheim/Germany. “Protex and Outlast are both well-known brands offering a high added value and also a very good service and technical support to customers.”

Read more on Outlast & Waxman to develop new flame retardant fabrics @ Fibre2fashion

Shanghai Home Textiles Spring Fair opens this week

The very first Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles Spring Edition will open for business at INTEX Shanghai and ShanghaiMart next weekend. The new three-day fair held from 2 – 4 April 2011 features 216 suppliers from Austria, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and the USA.

These manufacturers, on more than 25,400 sqm, will present an impressive range of household linens, wall and window decorations, upholstery fabrics, textiles for contract market, interior design and textile handicrafts and accessories, together with other home textile related products and services.

Tailored to meet the requirements of the domestic market, the Haining Home Textile Association and the Yuhang Home Textile Association have organised pavilions that occupy more than half of the exhibition area. In these areas, buyers can find an extensive assortment of decorative fabrics from renowned brands such as Haining Jinbaili, Hangzhou Kelida and Zhejiang Maya Fabric.

Fair participants also have the opportunity to see and source the latest fibrefill technology from Invista and cellulosic fibre technology from Lenzing.

Buyers have the chance to get tomorrow’s inspirations from top Japanese design studios. Atelier Mineeda Co Ltd, Cosmo Kumagai and Nix Co Ltd will showcase a remarkable array of home textile concepts at the fair.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles Spring Edition is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).

Original Source: Shanghai Home Textiles Spring Fair opens this week @ Fibre2fashion

How to make textile processing more Eco-friendly?

With the current environmental issues in mind, and because the textile industry is associated with contributing to the depletion of our planet’s valuable resources, the renowned Textile Exchange is hosting a Seminar on Sustainable Textiles in Turkey on April 14, 2011. Huntsman Textile Effects, as sponsor will be attending this highly important seminar as will other industry leaders, and we will make a presentation showcasing products and processes developed to save water in significant quantities.

What makes seminars of this nature especially relevant is that they offer a platform for those who are concerned about environmental issues to meet and share experiences and know-how. Huntsman Textile Effects takes the topic of sustainability truly seriously, which is why we are sponsoring this event and attending with a view to having a forward-thinking exchange with like-minded professionals from the industry.

We will be presenting a paper that analyzes issues surrounding our precious natural resource – water. This will take place on April 14, at 3pm during the session on Responsible Processing – Dyeing and Finishing. As the session is devoted to understanding the main issues and latest innovations on creating more responsible processing in the garment supply chain, our presentation will directly address the question “how to make textile processing with a lower environmental impact?” With living examples we will show how innovative technology can, in fact, make a difference.

Read more on How to make textile processing more Eco-friendly? @ Fibre2fashion

PET bottle recycler eyes Rs 10bn revenues

Riding on the back of soaring demand for polyester fibre, simultaneously in the local as well as the world markets, the Kanpur-based Ganesh Polytex (GPL) is targeting Rs. 10 billion in revenue over the next five years, through capacity expansion.

Presently, the firm’s revenue is growing at a rate of 30 percent per annum, and is likely to touch around Rs. 2.65 billion for the 2011-12 fiscal.

The firm is engaged in recycling of PET bottle waste and convert it into Recycled Polyester Staple Fibre (RPSF).

Moreover, the firm which is the leading player in the RPSF industry is now also establishing a greenfield yarn spinning facility with a capacity of 25,000 spindles in Uttar Pradesh’s Bilaspur with an investment of Rs. 1.25 billion.

The company plans to fund the investments through equity, debts and internal accruals.

GPL now houses an overall installed capacity of 57,600 tons / annum, and intends to raise this to around 72,000 tons / annum with addition of another 14,000 tons / annum by 2012-13 fiscal.

Moreover, the company is also considering penetration into the business of recycling plastic waste.

The firm now operates two state-of-the-art facilities one each in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand.

Of the company’s overall production around 20 percent is exported to European countries, while the remaining 80 percent is consumed domestically.

Original Source: PET bottle recycler eyes Rs 10bn revenues @ Fibre2fashion

USA-ITA elects Maureen Gray as its new Chairman

On March 15, the Board of Directors for the United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel elected a new Chairman and officers. Maureen Gray, Vice President of International Trade for Polo Ralph Lauren, is the new Chairman.

"I'm looking forward to positioning USA-ITA as a leader in promoting free and open trade in this uncertain political and global climate," said Gray. "We have some work to do to ensure that the Free Trade Agreements and Preference Programs are true twenty-first century agreements, but I'm confident that we have the expertise and support to accomplish our goals."

Other officers elected to the USA-ITA Board include:

• Vice-Chairman: John Clark, Vice President, Michar LLC
• Secretary: Steve Odom, Director, International Trade and Regulatory Compliance, Eddie Bauer
• Treasurer: Michael Singer, Director, Customs and Social Compliance, Macy’s Merchandising Group

Established in 1989, USA-ITA represents apparel manufacturers and brands, distributors, retailers, importers, and related service providers, such as shipping lines and customs brokers. USA-ITA member companies source apparel and other textile products globally, responding to the demands of the U.S. consumer market for quality products timely delivered at the right price.

Read more on USA-ITA elects Maureen Gray as its new Chairman @ Fibre2fashion

Organic textile experts to visit Australia

Global sustainability experts will explain how new cotton standards are shaping and securing supply for the future textiles and fashion industry at an evening lecture in Sydney on Tuesday 22 March between 5-6pm and again in Melbourne on Thursday 24 March starting at 6.30pm.

RMIT University in partnership with TFIA, invite to attend an evening lecture on the “Global Organic Textile Standard” – business opportunity in the sustainable cotton market.

This lecture gives you insight on how cotton sustainability standards are shaping and securing future supply within the fashion and textiles industry. The focus is on building better frameworks around people and planet securing and growing business profitability.

Together cotton and polyester make up approximately 80% of today’s global fibre usage. The issues around sustainability in cotton farming are numerous. Progressive thinking suggests we should reduce demand on cotton by designing differently and researching better farming methods.

Speakers
- Herbert Ladwig, Managing Director, International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Germany
- Annie Chandler, Environmental Manager- IKEA-Australia- Better Cotton Initiative

RMIT Public Lecture Series
Date: Thursday 24 March 2011
Time: 6.30 pm
Location: RMIT University Brunswick Campus, Building 514 Auditorium

The Council of Textile & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has been successfully representing Textile Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industries since the 1940s.

Read more on Organic textile experts to visit Australia @ Fibre2fashion

2011 will yield better results for geosynthetic business – IFAI

The Industrial Fabrics Association International has released its "Market Watch: Geosynthetics Market Snapshot" for 2011. The report's chief focus is on the U.S. geosynthetics marketplace, particularly as it relates to market size and growth, predominate materials/polymers; applications used in the U.S. market, trends, opportunities, threats, and market outlook.

IFAI Market Research Manager Jeff Rasmussen created this report to give businesses the essential data they need to make informed decisions. The IFAI report data was derived from a 2010 IFAI survey of its U.S./Canadian geosynthetics member suppliers and distributors. Secondary research also supplemented the results presented in this snapshot.

Rasmussen described some of the snapshot's insights: "For 2010, 56 percent of geosynthetic suppliers/distributors surveyed reported they would achieve favorable sales; and only 18 percent reported they would incur unfavorable sales in 2010--much improved over a down market in 2009."

The survey showed that 2009 was a difficult and trying time for geosynthetic suppliers/distributors. However, 2010 improved moderately in terms of sales and general business conditions.

Said Rasmussen, "Overall, geosynthetic suppliers/distributors are optimistic that 2011 will yield better results for their geosynthetic business in terms of increased sales and an overall improvement in general business conditions."

Original Source: 2011 will yield better results for geosynthetic business – IFAI @ Fibre2fashion

CFDA Fashion Awards; Gaga to receive Style Icon Award

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced the nominees and honorees for the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at an exclusive event hosted by Nadja Swarovski and CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg at the designer’s studio in the Meatpacking District.

Von Furstenberg started the proceedings by acknowledging the 10th anniversary of Swarovski underwriting the event and thanking Nadja for her continued support of American fashion. Von Furstenberg and Steven Kolb, CFDA executive director, then made the announcements of nominees and honorees, which for the first-time ever were streamed live on facebook.com/swarovski and style.com/live.

This year’s nominees reflect the depth of accomplishment of American fashion and acknowledges the pervasive influence that a new generation of talent is having on the industry while also celebrating the masters of design.

The nominees for Womenswear Designer of the Year Award are Alexander Wang, Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.

The Menswear Designer of the Year nominees are: Michael Bastian, Patrik Ervell, and Simon Spurr. For Accessory Designer of the Year Award the nominees are: Alexander Wang, Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler, and Reed Krakoff.

Joseph Altuzarra, Ashley Olsen & Mary-Kate Olsen, and Prabal Gurung have been nominated for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear. The nominees for the Swarovski Award for Menswear are Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim, and Robert Geller. For the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design, the nominees are Alejandro Ingelmo, Eddie Borgo, Jason Wu, and Pamela Love. The Swarovski Award recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from Swarovski as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative Swarovski crystal resources.

Read more on CFDA Fashion Awards; Gaga to receive Style Icon Award @ Fibre2fashion

Marimekko opens flagship store on New York's Fifth Avenue

Marimekko will open its own flagship store in New York City in the heart of Manhattan in autumn 2011. The shop, with a sales floor area of 350 square metres, will be in one of the busiest blocks in Manhattan’s Flatiron District at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, which enjoys growing popularity as a shopping area for local people.

The district has a concentration of many attractive interior decoration and design shops, cafés and restaurants. The Marimekko showroom opened in New York last autumn will move during the spring to larger premises also in the Flatiron District, near to the new shop. Construction costs for the new shop and the showroom are included in the estimate of the total investments planned for 2011, which was announced earlier.

The new flagship store will be built as an experience-rich meeting place in which Marimekko’s varied colours and design idiom will lead the customer from one inspiring mood to the next. The range will embrace all product lines, and it is intended for the shop to act as a showcase for new products in particular.

The shop will be based on the same concept as the flagship store opened in the Kämp Galleria mall in Helsinki in February 2011 – the store in New York will also be designed by the Japanese architectural firm IMA in cooperation with Marimekko’s own shop design team.

“Opening a shop of our own in an excellent location in the heart of Manhattan will support our strategy of building up Marimekko’s profile and strengthening the brand image. It is crucially important for us to be able to introduce our customers to the whole world of Marimekko in our own way. The new flagship store is also meant to support our online shop, which will be opened in the US this year, and our extensive cooperation with Crate and Barrel.

Read more on Marimekko opens flagship store on New York's Fifth Avenue @ Fibre2fashion

2011 FDC Young Designer Show

Fashion Designers and Craft makers (FDC) Young Designer Show takes place on Saturday 26th March at the Nobel Suite of the Novotel London Hotel St Pancras at 100 -110 Euston Road London NW1 2AJ the event starts at 4pm - 9pm. The gala evening will be hosted by Annaliese Dayes from Britain’s Next Top Model and Chyna Desveaux.

Selected young designers from all over the UK who have excelled creatively and have the potential to be the next big stars of the international fashion stage will be competing for the coveted Young Designer Award and the Radical Collections Award any age over 21 years. A very special showcase at Seattle Fashion Week USA is being offered to one of our 2011 winners.

This year the young designer show participants have also been offered the fantastic opportunity to debut a collection in The Fashion Designers Expo Week based in Florida. Fashion Designer Expo Florida” is an exciting Fashion Week designed to show the world new fashion superstars, showcasing the best emerging talent from all over the world, FDE Florida offers the excitement and exposure that the emerging fashion talent need from extravagant runway shows to lavish parties.

Joanna Marcella the founder of the show and awards says “Our unique selling point is that our events recognises young multicultural design talent and catapults young fashion designers right on to the international fashion stage.”

Read more on 2011 FDC Young Designer Show @ Fibre2fashion

‘Neo-Chinatown’ theme collection for Rose celebration

From April 1st, 2011, Loon Moon Group (Rose Hotel Yokohama & Chungking Chinese Szechwan Restaurants) will be launching their new look to celebrate Rose Hotel's 8th year. Colorful and exciting series of uniforms were designed by Maki Hayazano of Yokohama's local ROU ROU fashion label. All the staff of Rose Hotel Yokohama and Chungking Szechwan Restaurants will be welcoming the guests with this new identity.

"The theme is based on Neo-Chinatown, a mix of both traditional and modern Chinese styles and ideas. I want people to feel the mystic journey of exciting modern Chinese cities such as Hong Kong and Shanghai when they enter the hotel and restaurant outlets." explains Hayazono about her fashionable uniform concept.

The new uniforms are not only stylish, but come with some unique features including a waist pouch for some to make it more functional, which is quite rare in regular hotel uniforms. The uniforms will enhance the oriental feeling to one of the Chinatown's landmark, Rose Hotel Yokohama.

The hotel guests will be greeted by the bell staff in their clean white jacket derived from the Yokohama marine image. The front desk clerks will be dressed in rose woven jaguard fabric with the style of Vietnamese Aodai.

Read more on ‘Neo-Chinatown’ theme collection for Rose celebration @ Fibre2fashion

InFashion 2011 kicks off with ‘Innovation’

InFashion 2011, South East Asia’s Premier Textile Exhibition & Conference opened on a positive note. With Innovation as the key theme, InFashion 2011 is the biggest event which hosts the entire textile and apparel manufacturing and fashion fraternity together under one roof to buy, source and view the latest innovations from the business of fashion over next two days.

The opening session of the first ever edition of InFashion 2011 saw industry champions stressing on innovation in the sector. Also, FAITMA and Birla Cellulose launched Project Spun Shades on the occasion. Spun Shades is an innovative fibre which is dyed at the production stage. Typically the fibre is not coloured - it’s spun into yarn and then woven into cloth and then coloured. In the case of Spunshades the fibre itself is coloured which then takes away the step of colouring the cloth down the line.

The opening session titled ‘Innovation in Textile and Apparel Value Chain’ addressed key issues in the sector including supply chain, denims and Human Resources. The key note address was delivered by Dr P R Roy, Director, Fiber2fashion, Malwa Group, NSL textiles and former Group CEO, Arvind Mills.

Dr. Roy stressed on the need to innovate and highlighted that India in the past 100 years had missed the innovation cue even though it was a leader when it came to textiles. He also stressed the need to bring out eco-friendly initiatives. Dr. Roy reiterated that the hour had come for Indian industries to innovate and innovate fast and effectively to erase the impression that Indians cannot innovate.

Taking the Innovation theme ahead was the second session which focused on the supply chain for textile and clothing. Chairing the session, Shreyas Joshi, President, Raymond Apparel, mentioned that looking at the constantly evolving consumers it is critical for every part of textile and garmenting business to innovate in every aspect of the business. Rajiv Ranjan, President, Mafatlal industries, Pawan Jain, CMD, Safexpress, Samar Sharma, President Apparel, Kamadgiri Fashion and Dr PR Roy were part of the panel.

Read more on InFashion 2011 kicks off with ‘Innovation’ @ Fibre2fashion.com

New safety headwear lights the way at Workwear Show

Product Zone Ltd, Hertfordshire based specialists in all areas of sport, workwear and promotional merchandise and clothing, has chosen the forthcoming Workwear & Corporate Clothing Show 2011 (Ricoh Arena, Coventry on April 5th and 6th) to introduce a versatile lightweight safety cap that provides both head protection and illuminated visibility.

The ‘Guardian Bump Cap’, designed to meet standards EN812:1997+2001 features a stylish, fully washable, cotton cover with a front corporate badging area for embroidery or transfer print, large ventilation holes with fashionable mesh grills, foamed internal headband and in-built, battery powered front lights.

With a reduced peak length for easier upward visibility the cap is ideal for any situation where hands-free illumination is required whilst working in confined spaces. Available in a wide variety of colours and in sizes 54cm – 59cm.

The team at Product Zone Limited have over 50 years combined knowledge and experience of licensing, sourcing and developing innovative sport and promotional products and maintains a wide range of relationships in a variety of market sectors encompassing workwear, sport and fashion. The company’s partners include many Rugby clubs and Premier and League football teams for whom they produce quality merchandise, corporate and work wear. In January this year the company formed a partnership with Brookes Jordan Limited, the largest manufacturer of Jacquard scarves in Europe, which will also be promoting its product ranges and in-house embroidery service at the show.

Read more on New safety headwear lights the way at Workwear Show @ Fibre2fashion

World Textile Conference by TAI

The Textile Association (India) – Central Office is organizing a global level conference, for the first time in India, on a much larger scale and in a much broader format than our regular annual conference; World Textile Conference, it’s to be held in Mumbai on May 6 to May 7, 2011 at Intercontinental, The Lalit, Sahar Airport Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai. The theme of this conference is “Vision 2020: Emerging New Opportunities Worldwide and Challenging Business Strategies.”

The aim of the conference is to provide an interactive opportunity, and to create a very positive atmosphere where the entire textile fraternity can benefit by discussing, meeting and knowing each other and enhance our cumulative strength.

The conference is expected to be the largest convergence of cohesive forces and intends to bring together all textile industry stakeholders like mill owners, corporate houses, trade associations, export councils, policy makers and industry leaders, CEOs, and senior professionals from the national and international industry and discuss large opportunities face to face. The two-day conference will have eminent speakers, panelists and moderators including international experts to share their vision before an august audience of over 500 delegates.

Read more on World Textile Conference by TAI @ Fibre2fashion

Technicaltextile.net made diaper project report for Indian market

With increase in GDP and purchasing power, the Indian market for diapers is expected to increase significantly.

According to a renowned diaper consultant, the world consumption of baby diapers will be approximately 15,000/sec by 2025. Since, India is the second largest country in terms of population, the potential for consumption of diapers in India is huge.

In order that Indian entrepreneurs may capitalize on this very lucrative market prospect, technicaltextile.net – a portal exclusively for the burgeoning technical textiles sector, has unveiled a project report on diaper manufacturing exclusively for the Indian market.

The world market of baby diaper is expected to touch US $27 billion by 2012. The current demand for baby diapers in India is approximately 100 million pieces / annum and is growing at a brisk 8-10% every year.

The project report on diapers manufacturing in India includes detailed costing & profitability analysis for new ventures in India for next 10 years.

The report begins with an analysis of worldwide demand for baby diapers; diaper & nonwovens demand in India; world top 10 diaper consuming markets; worldwide baby diaper machinery manufacturers list and comparison amongst European and Chinese diaper manufacturing technologies.

The project report also covers, land, building & construction cost, power costs, labour costs, and utility costs. It also provides an organizational chart; pre-operative expenses, total project and raw material costing and profitability statement for 10 years.

Technicaltextile.net has also included a comparison of project cost & profitability for different technologies (European and Chinese) and price comparison among three major Indian diaper brands to determine the competitive selling price of the diaper in the report.

All the data will be provided in a programmed excel sheet. One just needs to input variable prices to get the final profitability calculations.

In short, the diaper project report from technicaltextile.net is a one-stop solution for those Indian entrepreneurs wishing to encash the lucrative proposition of setting up a diaper manufacturing facility, without the hassles of appointing a project consultant and collecting relevant data from various sources.

Read more on Technicaltextile.net made diaper project report for Indian market @ Fibre2fashion

Nonwovens producer Ahlstrom unveils new brand, logo

Ahlstrom, a global high performance materials company, is launching a renewed brand. The new brand identity is the visual expression of the company's new business strategy, which has been developed as a response to the changing needs of its customers around the world.

Ahlstrom has been building on its experience and know-how to anticipate customer needs. Recently, the company has made some fundamental changes in its strategy and operating model, and the company is now positioned strongly towards the future. To reflect all these changes, Ahlstrom unveils a new brand story and brand identity. They are the result of an extensive research among employees and external stakeholders across all the different markets and countries in which the company operates.

"Following the acquisitions made during the last few years and the recent strategy review, we have worked hard to create 'One Ahlstrom', to ensure that this is a company with strong values and consistent culture and a shared passion for doing things better. That means better products, better performance and better service for all our customers. To crystallize this we also needed to change the way we identify and present ourselves," says Jan Lång, the President & CEO of Ahlstrom.

Read more on Nonwovens producer Ahlstrom unveils new brand, logo @ Fibre2fashion

Interstoff Asia Essential opens for three days on March 16

Interstoff Asia Essential Spring, Hong Kong’s prime sourcing ground for fashion, functional and eco textiles, kicks off next week from 16 – 18 March 2011. The three day trade fair opens with a series of inspirational and informative value added events together with some 210 exhibitors showcasing their latest fabrics and textile related collections in Halls 1 D and E at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Some of the exhibitors are classified into country / region pavilions representing Elite China, Fine Japan, Amazing Taiwan, and Premium Korea. Among the participating suppliers in these areas are: Toray and Teijin from Japan, Wujiang Deyi Fashions Cloths Co Ltd and Tongling Worldbest Linen & Ramie Textile Co Ltd from China, Flourish Textile Co Ltd from Taiwan, Honway Asia Limited and Yee Fung Hong Ltd from Hong Kong, Quantum Energy Co Ltd from Korea. Buyers will find a variety of products from wide range knitted fabrics and functional materials to eco button and embroidery.

The Green Zone groups eco suppliers and certifiers together. Leading eco certifiers GOTS, IMO, Control Union and OneCert are among the participants in this special zone.

In addition to the range of products offered, several events are specifically organised to complement and highlight exhibitors’ products. One of these features is a new collaboration with Raffles International College Hong Kong, where 21 design students have worked with several exhibitors to create 60 pieces that will be paraded during the ‘Fabrics to Fashion Walk’. “Our students are international, so each design has a unique story that gives people a different impression for every collection,” said Mr Eric Ho, Director for the design school.

Read more on Interstoff Asia Essential opens for three days on March 16 @ Fibre2fashion

CAFTA-DR to promote US & regional jobs through textile sector

On February 23, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced a number of changes to the Dominican Republic – Central America – United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) at the Free Trade Commission meeting in San Salvador, El Salvador in order to promote U.S. and regional jobs and export opportunities. These changes will advance regional trade and economic integration in the textile and apparel sector, which is very important to regional production and employment.

The changes will also expand opportunities under the CAFTA-DR and encourage a vibrant textile and apparel supply chain in the Western Hemisphere to effectively face the challenge of competitors in Asia. Among the changes of particular significance is the clarification that certain monofilament sewing thread is now required to originate or be produced in the United States or the CAFTA-DR region in order for goods to qualify for preferential tariff treatment.

This type of sewing thread, while increasingly used within the apparel industry, had been omitted from the requirements of the original agreement. The sewing thread industry in the United States supports hundreds of jobs at technically sophisticated facilities such as Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. in North Carolina and Milliken & Company in South Carolina.

With this change, these jobs, which had been at risk, will now have the potential to grow as regional usage of sewing thread increases. The other changes relate to the treatment of certain nightwear, as well as the “short supply” list in the CAFTA-DR and how several products are treated in the context of that list, including elastomeric yarns, knit waistbands and knit-to-shape components.

At the Free Trade Commission meeting, participants also agreed to increase the cumulation limits to encourage greater integration of regional production through limited reciprocal duty-free access with Mexico and potentially Canada to be used in Central American and Dominican Republic apparel, as called for under the CAFTA-DR.

Read more on CAFTA-DR to promote US & regional jobs through textile sector @ Fibre2fashion

Clarino to display Tirrenina applications at Techtextil NA

Clarino America will exhibit in Booth 1401 at the upcoming Techtextil North America trade event from 15 to 17 March 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV.

Clarino man-made leather and suede has long been utilized in various applications ranging from apparel, home furnishings, automotive, marine, industrial and sporting goods. Clarino has built a strong reputation for quality and functionality with customers from this spectrum of industries.

New for 2011 is the "Tirrenina" branded material. It is particularly well suited for industrial applications, such as liquid and air filtration. There are also uses for conveyor belts, polishing, and wringer rolls. Tirrenina substrates that are suitable for industrial applications will be on display at Techtextil 2011 and staff will be on hand to meet with customers and to explore new opportunities.

CLARINO, a division of Kuraray Co., Ltd. is a global leader in the manufacture of non-woven microfiber material, and continues to be the leading innovator in the production of synthetic leather. CLARINO materials have a wide variety of applications that include athletic and casual footwear, apparel, sports balls and gloves, furniture, and automotive interiors.

Read more on Clarino to display Tirrenina applications at Techtextil NA @ Fibre2fashion

‘20,000-25,000 people to participate in rally’ – GGMA President

“We are organising a huge rally in Ahmedabad of garment producers on March 4 to protest against the imposition of 10 percent excise duty on branded garments”, thundered, Mr Vijay Purohit, President - Gujarat Garment Manufacturers Association (GGMA).

Fibre2fashion was the first to break the news of the rally today morning. Mr Purohit confirmed this news to our newsteam, when we spoke to him for his reaction on the budget proposal to impose 10 percent excise duty on branded garments.

He added by saying, “Around 20,000-25,000 people are expected to take part in the rally and we will submit a memorandum to the excise collector to withdraw the levy, as it is not possible for the garment industry to function under such duress”.

“Cotton prices have shot up by more than 100 percent, from a year ago. This in turn will make fabric and clothing prices to surge 80 and 50 percent, respectively. Now to add fuel to the fire, the government has imposed excise duty”, he informed.

Original Source: ‘20,000-25,000 people to participate in rally’ – GGMA President @ Fibre2fashion

Record cotton production in 2011/12 as response to record prices

World cotton area is projected to rise by 7% in 2011/12 to 36 million hectares, the largest in 17 years, in response to record prices in 2010/11. Farmers are expected to expand cotton area in 2011/12 in all producing countries.

World cotton production is projected to increase by 9% to a record exceeding 27 million tons. Rising cotton supplies will feed rising demand in 2011/12. However, although prices are expected to decline from current record levels, it is likely that prices will stay substantially higher than the average of 60 cents per pound that prevailed during the past decade.

Higher prices, and competition from chemical fibers, are expected to limit growth in mill use during 2011/12 to 3% to 25.4 million tons. The largest increases in mill use are projected for India, China, Pakistan and Turkey.

World cotton prices reached new records during February 2011. A limited supply, robust demand and depreciation of U.S dollar may have caused the surge in prices. The very scarce uncommitted supply as of 2011 may provide strong pressure on prices and cause increased volatility through the rest of the season.

The Cotlook A Index reached a record of 233.5 cents per pound on February 18, 2011 and averaged 147 cents per pound during the first seven months of 2010/11 (77.5 cents per pound during 2009/10). The New York futures contract for March 2011 delivery rose from 77 cents per pound on August 2, 2010 to a record of 205 cents per pound on February 28, 2011.

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Twenty more textile parks to be setup – Mr Maran

Union Textiles Minister, Dayanidhi Maran recently inaugurated the Karur Textile Park at Thalapatti-Puthambur on the Karur-Madurai Highway.

Speaking at the ceremony he highlighted that, the cotton and yarn prices which have been soaring over the last some time have placed the country’s textile sector under duress.

The Minister stated that, it is not the slow arrival of crops, or any other issue concerning cotton, but the general speculation and hoarding activities undertaken by some of the greedy traders that are to be blamed for the volatility in the cotton prices and yarn prices.

These two factors certainly helped in flaring up of cotton and yarn prices, thus inducing the Textiles Ministry to demand a ceiling on cotton exports.

He suggested that, it would be great if the Central and the State governments develop a consensus and work together in the interest of the general public and the industry.

The Textiles Ministry intends to set up another 20 textile parks across the country, in order to provide a definitive push to the textile sector, to increase exports and generate more job opportunities, he said.

Original Source: Twenty more textile parks to be setup – Mr Maran @ Fibre2fashion.com