Specials

Offshore e-commerce platforms Shein and Temu have quickly captured a significant share of South Africa’s clothing, textile, footwear and leather market. Their growth, powered by low-cost international supply chains and aggressive digital models, has displaced local manufacturing sales and jobs.

Commercial printing has operated the same way for decades, but a partnership between three Colorado companies, led by Living Ink Technologies, announced claims to have achieved something unprecedented: successfully replacing petroleum-based carbon black with algae waste in full four-colour commercial printing. The breakthrough represents the first time bio-based pigment has proven viable for high-volume CMYK applications.

Industry leader Mahlo is celebrating 80 years of advancing textile manufacturing through precision control technologies. From fabric straightening to real-time quality monitoring, the German company has helped mills worldwide modernise operations without compromising accuracy. In this interview, Thomas Höpfl, Head of Sales, explains how Mahlo continues to lead textile innovation by adapting to industry demands while honouring its engineering roots.

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on Thursday, removes steep tariffs on Indian exports of textiles, apparel, leather and footwear. With duty-free access to 99% of Indian goods, the deal unlocks significant growth for manufacturers across sectors. Exporters expect major gains in UK market share, driven by price competitiveness and improved supply chain efficiency.

The technical textiles sector is one of the focus areas of the Indian Ministry of Textiles. A one-day conference later this week will deliberate on the future of technical textiles, focusing on market opportunities, sustainability, workforce development and chemical compliance. Rakesh Sangrai, Director - Textile Committee at main organiser PHDCCI speaks about the sector’s prospects.

Lesotho has declared a national State of Disaster after a 50% tariff imposed by Donald Trump decimated its textile sector. The sudden collapse of its biggest employer has left tens of thousands jobless, exposing the country's economic fragility and raising alarm over the future of AGOA-supported trade across sub-Saharan Africa.

Egypt's textile industry is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing hub, driven by competitive labour costs, strategic location, and massive Chinese investment. With exports surging 18% to $2.84 billion in 2024 and government modernisation plans targeting $12 billion by 2031, Egypt is positioning itself as a key alternative to traditional textile centres.

A groundbreaking study by the International Cotton Advisory Committee challenges the long-held perception of cotton as excessively water-intensive, revealing that focusing on total water use—including natural rainwater—distorts understanding of the crop's environmental impact. The research emphasises optimising irrigation practices for genuine water conservation.

Fashion's global supply chains face unprecedented scrutiny as business conduct risks expose brands to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and financial losses. From forced labour controversies to environmental violations, the industry's complex sourcing networks are increasingly under fire from regulators, investors, and consumers demanding greater transparency and accountability.

A new investigation has uncovered the hidden realities of Pakistan’s garment industry, exposing wage theft, forced overtime, and widespread informality across eight factories supplying European brands. Based on 126 worker interviews, the report challenges the effectiveness of social audits and highlights systemic exploitation in one of South Asia’s largest textile and apparel export hubs.