Reports

UK nonprofit Earthsight’s investigations reveal nearly a million tonnes of tainted cotton from some of the most notorious estates in Brazil to clothing manufacturers in Asia, and being supplied to fast fashion behemoths H&M and Zara.

Second-hand will not save the planet! To ensure global sustainability, in line with agreed climate and environmental goals, the industry needs to look at, and challenge, existing business models, overproduction/ overconsumption, the way we shop, says a new study.

There’s an urgent need for Ethiopia to yank off from a never-ending cycle of low productivity and high labour turnover if the country wants to remain an attractive location for the global textile industry in spite of rising labour costs.

The unique opportunity presented by the availability of high-quality local fibres, the rich array of handwoven, hand-processed or industrial textiles produced on the continent, and the strength of the demand for African designs means that the sector is ripe for new investments and policies. Unless, the West reads “ripe for investment” as “ripe for plunder.”

How are DPPs going to affect the trade process? Will countries that export textiles and/or apparel to the EU see a slowdown? Or perhaps, import too. What is it that they should do? Most important, how and where do they get started? Will we see teething problems, or will those problems persist over time? There’s an urgent need for questions to be answered. texfash.com explores.

Can digital product passports or DPPs help the textiles industry meet climate goals? Some key stakeholders surmise that DPPs have a better chance of being effective if clear and cut aggressive targets are set, aligned with the 2050 climate goals.

As part of a broader objective, the EU Textiles Strategy came up with the digital product passport (DPP) for the textiles sector by introducing the concept through the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). texfash.com talks to some players in the business of solutions to get a feel of the pulse.

As the Autumn/Winter 2024/25 edition of Munich Fabric Start gets all set and ready to welcome the global fashion fraternity on 18 July, texfash.com tries to gauge what's happening on the ground with a mélange of impressions and opinions.

Whither innovation? Are fabric innovations driving the apparel market? Or, is it the other way around, i.e. demand for certain kinds of apparel is driving fabric innovation? texfash.com talks to some exhibitors who will showcase at Munich Fabric Start as it gets under way 18 July.

The domain of sourcing was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic three summers ago, and the dust has not yet settled. There are trade wars, the ongoing Europe conflict, and rising inflation. As all and sundry scurry to sort out matters, keeping the slew of upcoming EU legislations and regulations in mind, it perhaps makes sense to feel the pulse of what’s going on. The ground here is Munich Fabric Start (MFS) that will throw its doors open come 18 July.