Industry News.

4 banks join hands to boost textile industry

The four international as well as local banks have provided trade finance coverage of 110 million euros to Ibrahim Fibers Limited to import modern German machinery for production of polyester staple fiber and polyester chips. Due to this trade finance the Ibrahim Fiber’s polyester production capacity will further be increased by 650 tons per day to 1,250 tons to make it more than double.

The MCB Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation and Citibank have announced that they have completed a trade transaction that will help boost the textile industry in Pakistan, a sector that accounts for over 60 percent of the country’s industrial activity, said a press release, posted on the website of the ADB.

It is to be noted that last year, ADB’s Trade Finance Program supported over $600 million of cross-border trade in Pakistan. Over the past six months, IFC has provided Pakistani banks with $328 million in trade finance guarantees, a $125 million increase in guarantees compared to the same period last year. The trade financing helps Pakistan increase cross-border trade, and benefits many important business sectors.

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Pakistan asks India to keep up promise of cotton export

With Pakistan reeling from the after-effects of floods, its textile mill sector has appealed to India to honour the commitments for dispatching raw cotton, in letter and in spirit.

After floods devastated large tracts of farm land, cotton production in Pakistan was affected along with other major crops. In such a situation, Pakistani textile mills not only require the contracted amount of cotton from India, but a liberal gesture in the form of additional raw cotton as well.

Addressing a press conference here, All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association vice chairman Shahzad Ali Khan pointed out that India exported only one lakh bales out of the contracted quantity of 10 lakh bales. What the industry needed was not just the entire contracted amount, but an additional quantity. India had so far exported about 30 lakh bales of cotton to other countries and was in a position to assist the Pakistani textile industry.

Urging India to “help a neighbour,” Mr. Khan expressed the hope that the remaining quantity of nine lakh bales would be shipped at the earliest. Pakistan faces a severe supply crunch on the raw cotton front due to floods in parts of cotton growing areas in the country. Pakistan lost about 25 lakh bales of cotton and faces an overall deficit of 40 lakh bales.

The Pakistan Textile Mills Association, he said, had already submitted a request in this regard to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. A similar plea has been lodged with the Pakistan High Commission with the hope that it would be followed up with the Indian industry and the government. Desperate for succour from India, the Pakistani textile industry has also taken up the issue with the cotton exporters in Mumbai.

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INDIAN NEWSPAPER THE HINDU

The Textile Industry in Canada: Focus on Technical and Other Value Added Textiles

e Canadian textile industry has lost much of its competitiveness since the global elimination of quotas at the end of 2004, particularly in mass markets. Between 2005 and 2009 total factory sales by textile mills and textile product mills fell by 44% while sales by the clothing manufacturing industry dropped by 50%.

The textile industry has faced a number of challenges, including: competition from developing countries; offshore manufacturing by its traditional main customer, the clothing industry; availability, retention and training of the workforce; the strength of the Canadian dollar; trade regulation; capital availability; and access to specialised markets.

By 2006 it was apparent that the industry needed to diversify into specialised materials such as technical usage textiles (TUTs) and other value added textiles (OVATs). By targeting TUTs and OVATs the industry would be better able to meet, and stimulate, customer demand for products which met special requirements and offered heightened performance.

To ensure widespread adoption of this strategy, it was proposed that the strengths of the entire value chain be focused on TUTs or OVATs. This was to be achieved through: the utilisation of scientific and technical resources; the implementation of dynamic research and development cooperation platforms; innovation; commercialisation; and business networking.

The aim of this initiative is to help the industry to compete in the international market place and develop a critical mass. Consequently, its image will improve in the eyes of the public, the business community and the financial community, and the industry will be taken more seriously when major public and private clients are structuring their projects.

The initiative has already achieved some success. Between March 2007 and June 2009 the number of companies involved in technical and other value-added textiles rose from 241 to about 400, and in mid-2010 it was estimated that this figure had been more or less maintained.


Source:
http://www.just-style.com/market-research/the-textile-industry-in-canada-focus-on-technical-and-other-value-added-textiles_id98227.aspx?lk=ud79

India to oppose EU for granting duty-free access to Pak textiles

As European Union has granted a duty-free access to Pakistan’s textile products with an intention to help the country recover from the effects of massive floods, India is likely to stand against this decision for the reason that, it may make India’s exports to EU uncompetitive.

As this preferential treatment comes into effect from January 2011, several textile items from Pakistan would enjoy duty-free access to all the 27 countries of the EU for the next three years.

Granting of such duty-free access to a particular country is very much opposed to the WTO’s principle of the General Most Favoured Nation Treatment, and thus India is likely to oppose the same.

Though, some of the authorities are of the view that, India’s opposition may not prove to be substantial, because WTO does not have any significant laws or rules to stop any of its members from granting such preferential tariffs, and more so because EU has revealed its intent to solicit relevant waivers.

Further, the WTO is not authorized to interfere in any such matter unless a country implements a measure, like the one involving an import quota, wherein imports from some countries would be allowed while imports from other countries would be restricted.

The only option left with India is to speed up the process of finalizing its preferential trade agreement with EU, so that it too can enjoy duty-free access there.

EU initiated autonomous trade preferences for Pakistan in October on an emergency basis so as to help the country to restore from effects of massive floods in earlier part of the year. It thus granted duty-free access to 75 items from Pakistan, of which 64 were textile items, having an overall import value of around €900 million.

The decision is seen to adversely influence India’s textile export to EU, as Indian products would continue to bear the burden of import duty of around 6 to 12 percent. India exported $5.9 billion worth of textiles to EU in 2009, and Pakistan’s export during the same year stood at $2.2 billion.


source:  http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?News_id=93073

Lahore Fashion Week

Dell expressed its commitment to creativity, design and style by joining the colorful activities and fashion ceremonies of the Lahore Fashion Week 2010. Dell's incredibly smart and high-performance notebooks were creatively featured on the catwalk by stunningly attired models during the high-end fashion extravaganza. Pakistan Fashion Week hit the ramps in Lahore from 16th to 19th of February 2010 as passion and creative energy drove all the prominent designers and models to participate in the events. More than 30 prominent Pakistani designers showcased a variety of casual and formal outfits, western wear, jackets and accessories. The Fashion Week 2010 was organized by the Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC), which plans to make it a permanent fixture in the country's social and business calendars. Nubla Iftikhar, Marketing Manager for Dell Consumer and SMB said: 'Dell Consumer and Fashion are intricately woven together and therefore, Dell is proud to be associated with fashion-icon Munib Nawaz and the Lahore Fashion Week. Dell Consumer Notebooks are a form of self-expression. With a vivid color palette to express one's personal style, Dell Inspiron and Studio notebooks make a statement. It is a canvas for people to say a little something about themselves." Dell notebooks were showcased during a fashion show featuring the famous designer Munib Nawaz who presented his Men's wear Collection. The fashion week was a huge success giving a much-needed fillip to the local fashion design industry. Celebrities including Ali Zafar, Mommar Ranna, Iman Ali, Ather Shahzad also attended the event, with the glamorous fashion fraternity coming to support the fashion week, which culminated as a signature fashion event of the city. Following are some of pictures from Lahore Fashion Week. Courtesy: KoolMuzone ©

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Wal-Mart ..A scccess Story

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Wal-Mart de México said it achieved "solid" results in a "difficult" environment in 2009 with a lift in full-year profits.

For the 12 months to the end of December, Wal-Mart de México earned MXN16.8bn (US$1.29bn), a 15% increase on 2008.

Net sales rose 10.4% to reach MXN269.39bn, while EBITDA amounted to MEX26.91bn, a 13% increase on 2008.

Scot Rank, president and CEO, said: "I feel very proud of the results achieved in 2009. We achieved very solid results in a difficult economic environment and we improved our competitive position for the long term."

The company struck a deal to buy Walmart Centroamerica, a retailer with over 500 stores in five Central American markets, in December.

And in the fourth quarter, net income rose 17% to reach MEX5.74bn, while net sales amounted to MEX80bn, a 10% increase on 2008. EBITDA also rose 10% to reach MEX8.55bn.

Textile sector needs free access to global markets - Expert

Pakistani government should use diplomacy to penetrate world markets, opined Mr. Gohar Ejaz, Chairman of All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). Though the textile industry of Pakistan enjoys apex position across the world, it does not have free access to the international markets. Failure of negotiations on free-trade agreement with the US is unfortunate for the country, he added. It is difficult or country’s textile industry to thrive without acquiring firm stand in the international markets, while industrial expansion has a significant contribution in economic development of any country, said Mr. Ejaz.

Source: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textile-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=79674

The Future of Fabrics

Spider Webs, Grass & Nanotubes – Behold the Brave New U.S. Textile Industry

It is tempting to think textile development hit its apex in 1873, when Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss invented denim blue jeans. What is more perfect than a worn pair of Levi’s?

It’s equally as easy to posit that advances in fabric – at least from a fashion-conscious consumer perspective – hit their nadir sometime in the late 1920s, when Wallace Carothers tinkered with what became polyester. Many of us remember the disastrous effects polyester had on 1970s shirts.

Tuff-n-Lite

The folks at Supreme Corp. say its Tuff-n-Lite fabric is as “soft as cotton, stronger than steel.” The North Carolina company blends super-strong synthetics such as Dyneema, Spectra and Twaron with its own proprietary ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers to produce cut-resistant fabric for military, police, safety and extreme sports apparel. On tap: stab- and fire-resistant material for soft body armor and other applications.

Visit www.tuffnlite.com

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Taggant, You’re It

Is that a taggant in your trousers? Tennessee-based Fiber Innovation Technology is embedding microscopic markers inside threads to protect against knock-offs. The markers or taggants identify the manufacturer, assuring consumers they’re getting the real deal. Some taggant pigments light up under laser wands. In the not too distant future, the company hopes to have taggants made of edible compounds that can be sprayed on agricultural products and pharmaceuticals. These micro identifiers would make it easier to isolate tainted products in the event of government-mandated recalls.

Visit www.fitfibers.com

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FrankenSpider

Spider silk is lighter, more elastic and – pound for pound – tougher than Kevlar. For decades, scientists have been trying to get arachnids to produce the stuff in bulk, much like silkworms have done for centuries. Unlike silkworms, however, spiders resist domestication and tend to eat each other when confined in groups. North Carolina-based EntoGenetics says it has discovered a way to infuse the spider’s gene into the silkworm, creating a creature that can spin strong, spider-like silk en mass without all the internecine insect violence. Possible uses: bullet-resistant vests, rope, parachutes, fine fabrics, medical sutures, ligament replacement and racing tires.

For more information, contact David Brigham, dbrigham@entogenetics.com

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No More Bed Bugs

Eczema. Psoriasis. Dermatitis. Poison ivy. The mere words can send some reaching for a shot of corticosteroid. North Carolina-based Precision Fabrics Group has unveiled a line of “therapeutic” bedding and other linens under the brand DermaTherapy for those with ultra-sensitive skin. According to one of the company’s 36 U.S. patents, its fabric also “provides a barrier to mite-induced allergen particles.” The Food and Drug Administration-approved line of bedding minimizes friction, reduces itching and is super soft. Take that, Egyptian cotton.

Visit www.dermatherapyfabrics.com

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Move Over, Hemp

Since at least 1989, U.S. researchers have been tinkering with kenaf, a fast-growing, high-yield fiber plant related to cotton and okra. Historically, the main uses of kenaf fiber have been rope, twine, course cloth (the Egyptians used it to make sails) and paper. Indeed, much of the domestic focus has been on using kenaf for eco-friendly “treeless” paper production. But 3F, yet another North Carolina company, is thinking bigger thoughts. It is developing a version of treated kenaf to make lighter, stronger precast concrete for bridges, buildings and the like. The lighter the precast concrete, the less fuel it takes to truck it to work sites. And the stronger the precast concrete, of course, the safer it is. The company also is turning kenaf into a bio-renewable replacement for fiberglass.

Visit www.3fonline.com

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Less Is More

Nanocomp Technologies of New Hampshire is making long non-woven textiles out of carbon nanotubes, hexagonally shaped arrangements of carbon atoms that have been rolled into, well, tubes. The company fabricates nanotubes into strong, lightweight electro-thermally conductive yarn and sheets. The goal: Make high efficiency super-capacitors for thermal-electric or heat-to-power generation. Nanotube materials also could dramatically reduce the weight and payload of electrical and structural systems in aircraft, making them more fuel efficient.

Visit www.nanocomptech.com

Dow Corning's Latest Silicone Solutions for the Textile Industry Go On Show in September

A leading supplier of innovative silicone solutions for the textile industry, will feature its new multifunctional softener for flame-retardant textiles, new impact protection material product line additions and silicone textile printing inks at the Northwest Apparel and Footwear Materials Show September 15-16. Visitors to Booth 224 will learn about Dow Corning DS-9000 Eco Repel , an eco-friendly multifunctional encapsulated silicone additive for technical textiles. Jointly developed with DEVAN Chemicals, this technology allows apparel manufacturers to increase softness and hydrophobicity on existing flame-retardant finishes without impacting flame retardancy. "Most current flame-retardant chemicals negatively impact the softness of the textile leading to very harsh fabrics, which then become uncomfortable-to-wear garments," said Jenny Geng, Dow Corning's global textiles marketing manager. "Moreover, the material type predominantly used in textile multifunctional treatment additives for flame retardancy contains fluorocarbon derivatives, which arouse increasing concerns of safety and environmental issues." According to Geng, the primary applications for Dow Corning DS-9000 Eco Repel include water-repellent silicone additive for textile flame-retardant finishes, softener for flame-retardant fabric finishing formulations, softener additive for fluorocarbon-containing formulations and use in mattress ticking, tenting, canvas, upholstery and protective clothing. In addition, Dow Corning will showcase two new product lines for its patented Dow Corning brand Active Protection System family of impact protection materials. The S-Range is based on 3D spacer textile technology and the TP-Range is based on thermoplastic technology. "The new products - seven in total - are flexible, breathable, washable and offer great impact protection," said Liz Mallen, Dow Corning Active Protection System program leader. "Overall, designers are getting far more choices." Unlike bulky hard-armor systems, Dow Corning Active Protection System silicone technologies are very comfortable to wear in terms of fit, freedom of movement and breathability. They can be incorporated directly into products to shield against high-energy impacts, delivering outstanding protection and, for apparel comfort. Supplied on rolls, Dow Corning Active Protection System products can easily be cut into desired shapes and built up in layers to maximize protection where needed. S-Range fabrics can be sewn into garments or pockets. Three-dimensional shapes can be created to protect areas such as knees, elbows or shoulders. The S-Range features three new products for varying levels of impact protection, including high-impact collisions, like those experienced in motorcycling or snowboarding; medium-energy collisions in sports, emergency services or medical applications; and low-level impacts like those from kicks or blows in sports such as soccer or martial arts. The TP-Range has four base products and allows for significant customization in regard to appearance, comfort and level of protection. The TP-Range is well suited for body armor applications in sports and sport accessories, and for use in protective cases and sleeves for sensitive equipment, and electronics such as laptop computers, cell phones and cameras. Other possible applications include personal protective equipment, footwear and luggage. Also at the show, the company will highlight Dow Corning brand Silicone Textile Printing Inks, which are durable, color-fast and suitable for tough-to-print, high-performance sports apparel. The inks offer high elongation and a soft, nonsticky handle and allow for innovative designs, including amber-look and water-droplet effects. With heightened consumer concern about the environment, silicone textile printing inks are an ideal solution because they contain no organotin, phthalate, formaldehyde, PVC or solvents. The 33rd semiannual Northwest Apparel and Footwear Materials Show will take place September 15-16, 2009, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, USA. The event highlights natural and synthetic leathers, fabrics, prints, accessories, apparel and footwear components, and sewn products industry services. Dow Corning offers a comprehensive selection of proven silicon-based performance enhancers and process aids for textiles and is breaking new ground in the realm of eco-innovation. In addition to materials, the company provides supportive services and solutions tailored to the specific business and sustainability needs of the global textiles industry. Learn more about Dow Corning's full range of textile solutions.