Sustainable future for textile, clothing & footwear

Australia’s $4.5 billion Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industries are preparing for the opportunities of a low-carbon world, with the support of the Gillard Labor Government.

Opening the inaugural Big Green Conference in Geelong, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr welcomed the commitment of workers and business leaders to a stronger, greener industry.

“Climate change is remaking our environment and our economy,” Senator Carr said. “We can plant a few trees, but they won’t shelter our manufacturers from that reality. Good businesses face the facts and find the opportunities – and the Australian Government will help them every step of the way.

“Like most manufacturing industries, TCF faces the challenge of creating sustainable products and business practices in a changing global environment. But the rewards are there for the firms who can adapt first. TCF is well-placed to make that transition.”

Senator Carr said that Australia’s TCF industries are diverse, vibrant and looking to the future. Almost one in two TCF firms already invest in innovation – well above the 40 per cent of businesses in all sectors. The Australian Government has invested to build our research strengths in technical textiles and fibre innovation, including $37 million for new textile labs at the CSIRO–Deakin University Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre in Waurn Ponds.

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Tunisia-Italy to reinforce partnership in textile & clothing industry

Tunisia is involved in improving its efforts to recognize prospective associates in the textile and clothing industry in order to fulfill the needs as well as expectations of Italian firms. A representative of eight Italian firms is currently on a visit to Tunisia, as a part of the country’s efforts to promote its relations with Italian firms.

The main purpose of this visit is to focus on what the country can contribute to the textile and clothing industry.

An event was organized by the Tunisian Export Promotion Centre, CEPEX which involved business to business meetings with exporters from Tunisia who were chosen on the basis of the requirements put forward by the Italian firms.

During the visit in Tunisia, the representative of the Italian firms is expected to meet the representatives of Tunisian firms which are operating in 56 different areas in the textile and clothing industry. The Italian firms are likely to recognize prospective partnership, areas of cooperation and setting up of business ties with Tunisian firms.

The Italian market ranks second among the export markets of Tunisia for textile and clothing.It had a market share of 31.4 percent of the total Tunisian exports in 2009.

Original Source: Tunisia-Italy to reinforce partnership in textile & clothing industry @ Fibre2fashion