Water is becoming more and more a precious raw material — and drinkable water, even more precious. Water sustains people, animals and everything in the natural world. Decades ago, the Western world finally started to recognize that clean water is one of the cornerstones of every prosperous society. Unfortunately, the Eastern world hasn’t been prepared to do the same — so far.
Smog In Beijing
But it is not only water pollution, also the pollution of the air has become an important problem, mainly in Southeast Asia. Everybody knows the problems — for example, when big cities have to stop all traffic and forbid people to go outdoors due to dangerous smog in the air, such as happened during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
Today, one could be cynical in saying that thanks to the air pollution, the people and, moreover, the governments are more conscious of all kinds of pollution. And the textile industry in general and the finishing industry in particular produce an important share of polluted water, especially in the powerhouse of textile production, China. In the last few weeks, smog has virtually wrapped Beijing and some parts of Northern China, which forced the inhabitants to stay home. Even Prime Minister Li Keqiang is concerned about the ongoing pollution and the environmental problems. In his opening speech at the National People’s Congress held earlier this month, he also mentioned the fight against pollution.
To Walk The Talk
Indeed, all kinds of pollution are among the biggest problems around the world. However, China is not only debating about the environmental problems, as the Rupp Report already mentioned before. The current Five Year Plan (2011 – 2015) calls for China to invest more than 5 trillion yuan (US$817 billion) in environmental protection. Wu Xiaoqing, vice minister of environmental protection, said during the National People’s Congress that “the investment comes from various sources such as the government, financial institutions and enterprises and also includes social capital. China has been increasing its spending on environmental protection steadily, with an investment of 602.6 billion yuan in 2011, 825.3 billion yuan in 2012 and an estimated sum of 1 trillion yuan in 2013. The government’s investment in this area will increase substantially in 2014 with the introduction of a water pollution prevention and control action plan this year.”
Severe Water Problems
China’s air pollution is on the front pages everywhere, but its water pollution is just as serious. “China’s ministry of environmental protection estimates that one-fifth of the country’s rivers are toxic, while two-fifths are classified as seriously polluted,” reports Luna Lin in a recent chinadialogue blog. Frequent textile industry travelers to China can fully confirm that report. There are a lot of companies that don’t care about the environment. “In 2012 more than half of China’s cities had a water quality that was considered to be ‘poor’ or ‘very poor.’ [Some weeks ago,] the ministry of environmental protection announced a trillion-yuan (US$163 billion) plan to start dealing with this urgent issue.” Lin stated.
Zhai Qing, deputy minister of environmental protection, said at a press conference that “the action plan, which is currently being drafted, is focusing on curbing water pollution in the worst affected areas and preventing future pollution of the better conserved waters.” The plan proposes reducing industrial wastewater discharge, and improving municipal sewage management and rural polluted water treatment.
Extraordinary Open Words
Zhai was even more open when he said that “the situation of China’s water environment is still very grim.” He cited typical water quality indicators including the country’s annual chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen emissions volumes. “The current annual volumes of the two emissions stand at 24 million metric tons and 2.45 million metric tons,” he said. China Business News reports that China must reduce its yearly COD and ammonia nitrogen emissions volumes by 30 to 50 percent in order to achieve any significant water quality improvement.
In this context, another Chinese institution made a comment: According to Lin, Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs — a green nongovernmental organization based in Beijing, said that “China’s wastewater discharge has far exceeded the nation’s environmental bearing capacity and hence the incoming action plan is very necessary.” And indeed it is.
For years, the West has been shaking fingers at the Eastern Hemisphere for being an environment contaminator. However, if one checks the figures from organizations such as the World Health Organization, it can be seen that the biggest polluters — apart from China — are still located in the West. However, a clean environment is first of all, a question of educating the population in general, and young people in particular. It shouldn’t be forgotten that it took the West a long time, too, to recognize that environmental consciousness is not only a “green matter,” but also a prerequisite to survival.
In a world of consumers who are more aware about environmental issues, all these actions are not only favorable to the environment and its people. On top of that — and this can underline the statement that economy and ecology can go together — these actions build a better climate for negotiations between Chinese producers and Western buyers regarding laments about “dirty apparel.” This dialogue is what is very much needed, considering the recent problems in Bangladesh and the turmoil in the social media around the world.
March 25, 2014
The Rupp Report: Asia Is Getting Cleaner
PCI Fibres Reports Chinese Polyester Filament Capacity Surpasses Global Demand
United Kingdom-based PCI Fibres recently published the latest issue of the PCI Fibres “Green Book.” According to the issue, China’s polyester filament capacity of 31.3 million tons in 2013 overtook global mill consumption of 29.7 million tons of polyester filament. PCI Fibres reported a 6-percent increase in global polyester filament consumption in 2013, with similar increases predicted for 2014.
According to PCI Fibres, China’s polyester filament capacity increased 17 percent in 2013, and an additional 8-percent increase is predicted for this year.
China’s nylon filament capacity also is growing ahead of global mill consumption. Within the next two years, PCI Fibres expects China’s capacity to reach 70 percent of world nylon filament demand unless there is a significant decrease in the number of manufacturing plants.
Total textile mill consumption in 2013 for all natural and man-made fibers, excluding meltblown products, is estimated to be around 83.4 million tons, which represents an increase of 4 percent over the previous year. In 2014, total textile mill consumption is forecast to reach 86.8 million tons, another 4-percent increase.
The “Green Book” reports 35 percent of the total textile mill consumption is comprised of absorbent fibers such as wool, cotton and cellulosic fibers — including viscose and lyocell.
March 25, 2014
Italian Companies Embark On Commercial Mission In Bangladesh
Five Italian textile companies involved in the denim value chain are in Dhaka, Bangladesh, this week on a commercial mission titled “Italian DNA | Creativity and Innovation, the Italian Way to Sustainability.”
The goal of the mission is provide information on the latest developments and technologies with regard to fabrics, materials, equipment and trends — with an eye to promoting an eco-friendly business model. Bangladesh is an important textile production country, and Italian companies have been working with Bangladeshi apparel production companies for years.
Participating Italian companies include vertically integrated denim mill TRC Candiani Denim S.p.A.; denim producer ITV Industria Tessile del Vomano S.r.l.; garment finishing technologies provider Tonello S.r.l.; textile auxiliaries producer Nearchimica S.p.A.; and Okinawa S.r.l., a vertically integrated designer and producer of fashion accessories and materials.
In addition, Bangladesh-based casualwear manufacturer Pacific Jeans Ltd. and garment producer M&J Group teamed with the Italian companies to coordinate the mission.
“In a competitive market like the current one we believe it is important to present ourselves with interesting projects and a strong impact on the various markets recognizing the value of each of them,” the companies stated. “With this mission, we hope to increase the opportunities for our European and American customers to find services and products that are up to date and in line with the latest trends in Bangladesh while acknowledging and appreciating the special features of the distinguished Made in Italy quality.”
March 25, 2014
Heimtextil Expands Trend Concept: “Theme Park” The New Kind Of Presentation For Contemporary Themes
FRANKFURT — March 25, 2014 — A new season, a new Trendtable, a new concept: Heimtextil is working on a completely new kind of trend presentation for the next trade fair for home and contract textiles (14 to 17 January 2015). “We plan to expand the Trend Show into a ‘Theme Park’ and make room for a comprehensive presentation of future-oriented subjects relevant to the sector. To this end, we are planning a series of new measures, with which we aim to draw greater attention to design-oriented, contemporary aspects”, said Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt, announcing the new plans.
In a first step, experts from six international design studios met for the Trendtable in Frankfurt am Main on 5 and 6 March 2014 and exchanged ideas and opinions on global design developments. The results of their deliberations represent the creative basis for the new ‘Theme Park’ at Heimtextil 2015, which will include hospitality and sustainability areas, as well as a colour area and presentation zones visualising trend and innovation themes.
Dutch designers assume overall responsibility
Representatives of new yet extremely renowned design studios also took part in the Trendtable: Lisa White, Creative Director of Homebuildlife / WGSN from the USA and Felix Diener, textile designer and engineer from the studio of the same name in Germany contributed for the first time this year. Additionally, the Trendtable welcomed back Mayouri Sengchanh of French agency Exalis / Carlin International. The other members of the Trendtable are Kate Franklin and Caroline Till of FranklinTill Studio, Great Britain, Dan Namura and Gen Namura of Dan Project, Japan, and Anne Marie Commandeur, Grietje Schepers and Anouk Haegens of Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In this connection, the Dutch trend experts from Stijlinstituut Amsterdam have assumed responsibility for preparing the concept of the trend themes and the new ‘Theme Park’ at the next Heimtextil. “The ‘Theme Park’ will concentrate creativity, science, technology, business and communication to reveal new solutions and developments in the world of textile interiors”, explains Anne Marie Commandeur.
During the meeting in Frankfurt, all design studios presented their own trend predictions, which were then discussed and refined. In this connection, the designers introduced a variety of future-oriented projects from the fields of architecture, interior design, fashion, art and lifestyle from all over the world, account of which have been taken into the evaluation process. “The enormous creative potential and the international expertise of the members of the Trendtable are also of great importance for the reorientation of our trend presentation. We are really looking forward to the big ‘Theme Park’ project at Heimtextil 2015”, says Olaf Schmidt.
The design studios involved in the preparation of the trend themes for the 2015/16 season are:
Stijlinstituut Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and its managing director Anne Marie Commandeur will take the lead in the development of the new trend themes and the ‘Theme Park’. She heads a team and network of multi-disciplinary designers who work in the fields of textile innovations, prognoses, colour trends and strategic design concepts. www.stijlinstituut.nl
Tokyo-based Dan and Gen Namura from Dan Project (Japan) are young designers whose artistic origins can be traced back to the renowned ‘yuzen’ handicraft of dying and weaving kimono fabrics in Kyoto. Their work ranges from designing furniture fabrics, via bags and clothing, to premium textiles and colourful graphic prints. www.dan-web.net
Mayouri Sengchanh, CEO of Exalis, represents Carlin International (France), the world’s longest established trend agency and one of the top five of the sector in Germany, Switzerland and Russia. Carlin International offers services in the field of style marketing, brand development and consulting, trend scouting, sector-related trend books and the individual preparation of colour and trend worlds in special workshops for clients. www.carlin-groupe.fr
Felix Diener, textile designer and engineer (Germany), founded his own design studio in 2008. He designs carpets, curtains and home accessories. His creative work forms an interface between art and technology, and is distinguished by the use of colours, materials and textures. As reflected by his portfolio, his individual design philosophy transcends colour and form with the emphasis on the search for innovative structures, surfaces, compositions and production techniques. www.felixdiener.com
Kate Franklin and Caroline Till of FranklinTill Studio (Great Britain) have over 20 years’ experience in research, trend forecasting and design strategy. The wide range of projects carried out by the multi-disciplinary agency includes trend reports, colour prognoses, design realisation, brand developments and fair and exhibition curation. Caroline Till is also responsible for the world-famous Textile Futures course of study at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London. www.franklintill.com
As Creative Director of Homebuildlife, a subsidiary of the WGSN Group (USA), Lisa White and her team have created the only B2B trend-forecasting website, which specialises in interior and product design and analyses the latest lifestyle, industrial design and decoration trends. Additionally, Lisa White is Director of the WGSN Think Tank, which analyses long-term consumption trends. www.homebuildlife.wgsn.com
Photographs of the Trendtable meeting can be downloaded from:
http://www.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/de/media/textiletechnologies/heimtextil/frankfurt/foto_audio_video.html
Posted March 25, 2014
Source: Messe Frankfurt
Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Inc. Completes Plant Consolidation
AURORA, Il. — March 25, 2014 — Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Inc. announced today that its consolidation from two plants into one has been completed on schedule and according to plan. “With minimal disruption to ongoing operations and order fulfillment, we have transitioned out of our Travelers Rest, SC plant and centralized all textile processing operations at the Aurora, IL headquarters/plant facility”, says company President Bob Matz. Mr. Matz went on to say that this centralization is only the first phase of a broader initiative which will increase the range of Aurora’s manufacturing capability and set the company’s course for future growth. Aurora will be sharing more detail on this initiative later this spring. “In the meantime”, says Mr. Matz, “our customers in the many markets we serve can rest assured that they will benefit most in the years to come as Aurora continues to change, grow and maximize the value we deliver”.
Posted March 25, 2014
Source: Aurora Specialty Textiles Group
Cotton Outlook Forecasts Greater Addition To World Ending Stocks
BIRKENHEAD, England — March 20, 2014 — Cotton Outlook’s world production number for 2013/14 has been raised by 140,000 tonnes, leading to a commensurately greater carryover at the end of the season. The change is attributed to increases for China and the African Franc Zone.
The 2014/15 global production figure has been revised upwards by 56,000 tonnes, owing mainly to changes for China, the African Franc Zone and a number of smaller producing countries.
World stocks are expected to rise by 1,308,000 tonnes next season, in comparison to 1,718,000 tonnes added during the current season.
Click chart to view larger
Posted March 25, 2014
Source: Cotton Outlook
Texprocess 2015: Registrations Are Now Being Accepted
FRANKFURT — March 25, 2014 — From 4 to 7 May 2015 the international textile and clothing industry will be presenting itself for the third time at Texprocess, the leading international trade fair for processing textile and flexible materials. “Thanks to a clear increase in visitors and robust exhibitors’ figures, Texprocess continued to consolidate its position as a leading international trade fair in 2013. The most important decision-makers from international companies came to Frankfurt where they saw cutting-edge technologies along the entire textile value chain and returned home extremely satisfied, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.
“The product line-up of Texprocess will be expanded further in 2015 and, in the same context, there will be a greater focus on the clothing industry,” Braun continues. The trade fair will be supplemented by an updated accompanying programme with expert presentations and special areas, including the procurement platform Source It.
Based on positive industry data, the leather and clothing division of VDMA (the German Engineering Federation) is confident that Texprocess will be successful again in 2015. “More than ever before Texprocess is the most important date for all international technical equipment providers wanting to present their latest machinery, plants, processes and services in the manufacturing of textiles and other flexible materials and targeting international trade visitors,” says CEO Elgar Straub. “Innovations are currently the key to success in our industry, and exhibitors and visitors are aware that Texprocess has a leading role here,” Straub continues.
Interested companies can now register at www.texprocess.com <http://www.texprocess.com/> and will benefit from the early booking rate until 25 July 2014.
Texprocess 2015 will start and end at the same time as Techtextil, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. As a result, it will benefit from the extended range at Techtextil in the product group Functional Apparel Textiles, which will be presented in the new Hall 6.1. “Moreover, the new internal structure of the two trade fairs Texprocess and Techtextil under a single roof is already bearing fruit,” says Braun.
Texprocess covers the entire value chain of the textile processing industry, i.e. processing, the design of cuts, cutting to size, sewing, embroidery, knitting, and indeed also IT, finishing and logistics. The latest trade fair attracted 330 exhibitors and over 12,100 visitors, with a 4% increase in exhibitors and 16% more visitors than the previous event. Also, more than 8,100 Techtextil visitors decided to gather information at Texprocess, which was taking place at the same time. In all, the trade fair duo recorded 1,652 exhibitors and 40,000 international visitors.
Posted March 25, 2014
Source: Messe Frankfurt
INVISTA Names Ninabeth Sowell Market Development Director For Performance Bedding Products
KENNESAW, Ga. — March 23, 2014 — INVISTA’s Ninabeth G. Sowell has assumed the role of Market Development Director for Performance Bedding Products. She is charged with accelerating the growth of Invista’s Performance Bedding Products business and portfolio of DACRON® branded fiberfill products in bedding.
“Ninabeth Sowell is a seasoned executive in the fibers industry, and we’re delighted to have her on the Dacron brand team,” said Roberto Fontanillas, global business director for Invista’s Dacron fiberfill business. “As she works with the team to develop new and creative ways to meet consumer needs in the bedding products marketplace, she’ll also be helping our customers add value to their offerings with the portfolio of differentiated Invista products and brands.”
The hallmark of Performance Bedding Products is the Dacron brand, one of the leading home textile brands in consumer awareness studies which have been associated with superior bedding fiberfill for more than 50 years.
Sowell has 35 years of experience in the textile fibers and apparel industry, including positions in technical, sales, marketing and management. Prior to Invista, she worked for DuPont in technical marketing of ANTRON® carpet fibers; in sales of LYCRA® fiber, Dacron fiber, nylon and ORLON® acrylic, and in downstream marketing to the brands and retailers using these products. Over the course of her career with Invista, she had marketing responsibility for prestigious brands such as Lycra fiber, TACTEL® fiber and COOLMAX® fabric and has worked with brands and retailers in ready-to-wear, activewear, swimwear, and most recently the intimate apparel market segment.
Born in Windsor, England, Sowell grew up in the metro New York area in New Canaan, Conn. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Economics from Duke University in Durham, N.C. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., with her husband and son.
Posted March 24, 2014
Source: Invista
Top Three Industry Organizations To Meet In Miami, Fla., June 2014
BEL AIR, Maryland — March 21, 2014 — For the first time, the Bureau of International Recycling’s (BIR) Textiles Division, the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), and the Council for Textile Recycling (CTR) will co-organize an International Textile Recycling Summit on Monday, June 2, 2014 in conjunction with the Bureau of International Recycling‘s World Recycling Convention at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, Florida.
The International Textile Recycling Summit (ITRS) is the first-ever event where all of the major stakeholders in the international textile recycling industry will gather to discuss industry trends, concerns, and emerging markets. The tentative agenda includes educational programs from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm followed by a networking reception. All members of BIR, SMART and CTR are invited to attend this program.
“This conference is a great opportunity to promote the recycling of used clothing and household textiles around the world,” says Jackie King Executive Director of SMART. “The current level of recycling used clothing has a more significant impact on reducing greenhouse gasses than the recycling of yard waste, glass and plastic, according the United States Environmental Protection Agency.1”
The ITRS will bring together at an international level for-profit textile recycling companies, non-profit organizations involved in textile recycling, apparel manufacturers, representatives from academia, and governmental agencies, all of which are focused on recycling, especially used clothing and textiles.
As additional information becomes available it will be posted on BIR, SMART and CTR websites. Members of BIR, SMART and CTR are encouraged to save the date for the ITRS on Monday, June 2, 2014 and to make plans to attend.
Source: 1 Table 5, Page 12. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2011.
Posted March 21, 2014
Source: SMART
Thousands Of Dollars In Grants And Scholarships Still Available To Design Students
ATLANTA, Ga. — March 19, 2014 — The International Furnishings and Design Association Educational Foundation, Inc. is the Philanthropic and Educational arm of the IFDA Association. IFDAEF’s purpose is to encourage development of educational programs and worthwhile projects that enhance the quality of living for the individuals and the public at large, while providing support for students and various professionals entering the field of Interior Design. IFDA Chapters play a major funding role through yearly donations, memorials and special events. Many Chapters have established thousands of dollars in scholarships or grants in honor or memory of IFDA leaders. Some include: the IFDA Leaders Commemorative Scholarship; the Ruth Clark Scholarship for Furniture Design; and the Vercille Voss Graduate Student Scholarship. Grants include: Barbara Brock Memorial Grant; Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant; Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant; Elizabeth Brown Grant for Interior Design Programs; and the Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant. EF also provides a New Chapter Development Grant.
Contact: Earline Feldman, Director of Grants and Scholarships 1.770.378.7221 or go To the IFDAEF Website to see specific details, applications and dollar values of each of the Scholarships or Grants at: www.ifdaef.org
Posted March 21, 2014
Source: IFDAEF
