Latest fibres & fabrics news and analysis articles 
The latest developments in fibres and fabrics, trade show reports and news on individual companies
INDIA: Uttar Pradesh seeks textile and clothing export boost
20 May 2013
The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state in India, Akhilesh Yadav, has told just-style that his government wants to spur future expansion in clothing and textiles through major infrastructure investments.
FRANCE: Clariant achieves eco-friendly denim-look knits
20 May 2013
Specialty textile chemicals supplier Clariant has teamed up with machine builder Tonello to develop an exhaust dyeing process that gives a 'blue jeans look' to items such as knitted garments.
just-style's research roundup
20 May 2013
Featured reports from just-style's research store this week include a review of the global market for workwear, a report on the prospects for the textile and clothing industry in Cambodia, and a look at the cost of spinning, texturing, weaving and knitting production in nine countries.
GERMANY: Jack Wolfskin commits to cleaner outdoor clothing
17 May 2013
As part of plans to remove harmful substances from its production processes and eliminate fluorines by 2020, German outdoor clothing brand Jack Wolfskin is teaming up with two research institutes to develop new fluorocarbon-free textile coatings.
VIETNAM: KyungBang opens $40m cotton yarn plant
17 May 2013
Korean textile manufacturer KyungBang Limited has opened a $40m cotton yarn plant at the Bau Bang industrial zone, in the northern Vietnamese province of Binh Duong.
just-style's most read stories this week...
17 May 2013
The most-read stories on just-style this week include a rush by apparel brands and retailers to sign the new Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a report on what the agreement entails, and plans by M&S to shake up its supplier base.
Emerging markets to drive workwear growth
16 May 2013
The strength of global economies and their resulting employment levels is a major influence on the workwear market. A new report from just-style forecasts worldwide demand to grow by more than 20% over the next five years, driven by growth in emerging markets.
US: Activists call for halt to Uzbek cotton imports
16 May 2013
A US-based labour and human rights watchdog has filed a formal complaint with the US Customs service calling for a halt on imports of cotton from Uzbekistan grown and harvested with forced labour.
CHINA: Invista expands with nylon 6,6 polymer plant
16 May 2013
Fibre manufacturer Invista has signed a land reservation agreement to build a nylon 6,6 polymer site at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP).
HONG KONG: Crystal Group grabs gold in environmental awards
14 May 2013
A T-shirt facility operated by Hong Kong based Crystal Group, one of Asia's largest garment manufacturers, has received recognition for its "environmental excellence."
US: New tool to manage restricted substance lists
14 May 2013
Software that can manage Restricted Substance Lists (RSL) across the global supply chain is the latest addition from TEXbase Inc.
US: Cotton stockpiles seen reaching new record
13 May 2013
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects global cotton stockpiles to reach a record high during the current and next year's season, with efforts by China to build its national stockpiles leaving lower inventories for the rest of the world.
just-style's research roundup
13 May 2013
Featured reports from just-style's research store this week include an overview of the 2013 UK Customer Satisfaction Index for footwear, a look at specialist apparel retailers in Ukraine, and a report on trade and trade policy in five emerging markets.
SINGAPORE: DyStar unit helps analyse factory discharge data
13 May 2013
DyStar's Sustainable Textile Solutions business has helped a number of fashion brands and retailers working to improve chemical management in their apparel supply chains.
FRANCE: Lycra Beauty extends to lace and natural fabrics
13 May 2013
Fibre producer Invista is extending its Lycra Beauty fabric certification scheme to include lace and fabrics made with natural/cellulosic fibres.
US: Patagonia launches new $20m environmental fund and focus
10 May 2013
Outdoor clothing company Patagonia Inc is restructuring its business to focus on its environmental and social focus, including a new $20m investment fund to back start-up companies who share its ethical ideals.
just-style's most read stories this week...
10 May 2013
The most read stories on just-style this week include Adidas launching a mobile phone pilot to monitor labour rights at one of its supplier factories, another fatal factory fire in Bangladesh, and unions calling for Bangladesh to sign a fire safety pact.
Deeper EU and Morocco trade ties good for apparel
8 May 2013
A planned deepening of trade relations between the European Union (EU) and Morocco should streamline customs procedures for the EU clothing and textile industry, whether importing or exporting products from this key north African trading partner.
THAILAND: Textile and garment exports rise 1.1% in Q1
8 May 2013
Thailand's textile and garment exports edged up 1.1% during the first quarter 2013, with rising textile shipments helping to offset a slump in clothing sales.
Comment: The crooks and conmen among us
7 May 2013
Today, many if not most importers and retailers are making an honest effort to make Bangladesh a better place to work for customers, suppliers and workers alike. But recent events such as the collapse the Rana Plaza factory building have brought out some important truths, believes David Birnbaum.
US: Consultation launched on AGOA extension
7 May 2013
Comments from the public and other federal agencies are being sought on the extension of the expiration date for information collection on the AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act).
The Flanarant: Solutions to prevent another Bangladesh tragedy
3 May 2013
Actions need to speak louder than words when it comes to tackling working conditions in the Bangladesh garment industry. And in the wake of the collapse last week of the Rana Plaza building near Dhaka, Mike Flanagan has what he describes as "a modest proposal" for identifying and delisting all unsound factories.
AUSTRALIA: New wool sourcing guide launched
3 May 2013
A new sourcing guide from The Woolmark Company aims to provide a central location for buyers to source a wide range of wool-related products.
US: Views sought on textile label changes
3 May 2013
The US Federal Trading Commission (FTC) is seeking comments on proposed changes to its Textile Labeling Rules.
just-style's most read stories this week...
3 May 2013
The most read stories on just-style this week focused on the response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which killed over 400 people. There have been renewed calls for increased worker safety, while Primark, Matalan and Joe Fresh, have all committed compensation for the victims.
Thailand sets its sights on ASEAN's fashion hub
2 May 2013
Faced with a fall in exports to the US and EU, Thailand's textile and garment industry has set its sights on becoming a fashion hub for the ASEAN region.
WORLD: China causing “seismic shift” in cotton use
2 May 2013
China’s national cotton reserve policy is causing a “seismic shift” in the location of world cotton use, but mill use in the country is expected to fall further in the next year or two.
NETHERLANDS: Vlisco to create textile supply chain in Africa
1 May 2013
Dutch fashion fabric producer Vlisco Group is to partner with the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative to produce and market its products to local consumers in Africa for the first time.
US: Nike collaborates on sustainable materials challenge
29 April 2013
Nike has teamed up with NASA and a number of other US government departments to collaborate on developing sustainable materials.
Mauritius exporters switch focus from EU to South Africa
29 April 2013
Faced with weakening exports to Europe amid the ongoing financial crisis, clothing and textile companies in Mauritius are looking to South Africa to recoup sales.
