Bangladesh Textile Journal

17/09/2025

CIRCULOSE®, the next-generation material made entirely from discarded textiles, is partnering with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to integrate supply chain traceability into its solution offering for fashion brands.

Through the collaboration, every kilo of CIRCULOSE® pulp will be digitally traced from pulp to finished product, with a joint ambition to extend traceability further upstream over time. This gives brands verified, data-backed visibility to support circularity claims, build consumer trust as well as prepare for upcoming regulatory requirements.

“As the industry shifts to preferred and circular materials, strong traceability is critical to ensure integrity of sustainability claims,” said Jonatan Janmark, CEO of Circulose. “By embedding traceability through TextileGenesis as part of our integrated solution, we make traceability easy for all brands that are buying CIRCULOSE®.”

The traceability is powered by TextileGenesis’ Fibercoin™ system, which assigns a unique digital token to each unit of CIRCULOSE®, recording every transformation step in the supply chain and preventing double-counting. This ensures a secure, real-time chain of custody from pulp to garment.

“TextileGenesis enables brands and producers to ensure a secure, transparent, and fully digital mapping of CIRCULOSE® material flows,” said Amit Gautam, Founder and CEO of TextileGenesis. “Together, we are proving that traceability is not a future ambition. It is a present-day reality.”

The partnership underscores Circulose’s commitment to being a complete solution provider for brands, rather than solely a pulp producer. It adds traceability as a fourth solution within our CIRCULOSE® Forward platform, alongside our existing three solutions. Integrated traceability, combined with our unique licensing-based pricing model, makes it easier for fashion brands to transition from virgin fibers to a scalable, circular material solution. Through this collaboration, all brands purchasing CIRCULOSE® will be able to achieve full traceability using the TextileGenesis system.

About Circulose:
Circulose is a Swedish sustain-tech company that developed a patented process, which enables the recycling of cellulosic textile waste, transforming it into a new material called CIRCULOSE®. Fast Company named Circulose (formerly Renewcell) one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2021 and was a winner of the 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards. CIRCULOSE® was also included on TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 Best Inventions 2020. Founded by innovators from Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2012, the award-winning company’s vision is to make fashion circular. For more information visit www.circulose.com. Find the CIRCULOSE® Forward platform on https://www.circulose.com/en/circulose-forward/.

About TextileGenesis:
Founded in 2018, TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, provides a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that enables fashion brands and sustainable textile manufacturers to ensure a reliable, secure and fully digital traceability of their textiles, from the fiber to the consumer, and thereby guarantee their authenticity and origins. The platform provides traceability for textiles, leather and footwear, employing fiber forwards traceability for sustainable and certified materials and Supply Chain discovery approach to traceability for conventional materials.

Its innovative traceability mechanism, which addresses both ends of the textile value chain, as well as its network of partners for material certification, and its technology platform guarantee the exchange and tracking of reliable and secure data throughout a material’s life cycle. The TextileGenesis platform also identifies and flags supply chain compliance/legal risks across the value chain from tier 1-4 for brands.

About Lectra:
At the forefront of innovation since its founding in 1973, Lectra provides industrial intelligence technology solutions — combining software in SaaS mode, cutting equipment, data, and associated services — to players in the fashion, automotive and furniture industries. With boldness and commitment, Lectra accelerates the transformation and success of its customers in a world in perpetual motion thanks to the key technologies of Industry 4.0: AI, big data, cloud and the Internet of Things.

The Group is present in more than one hundred countries. It operates three production sites for its cutting equipment, located in France, China and the United States. Lectra’s 3,000 employees are driven by three core values: being open-minded thinkers, trusted partners and passionate innovators. They all share the same concern for social responsibility, which is one of the pillars of Lectra’s strategy to ensure its sustainable growth and that of its customers.

Lectra reported revenues of €527 million in 2024, including €77 million coming from its SaaS offerings. The company is listed on Euronext, and is included in the CAC All Shares, CAC Technology, EN Tech Leaders and ENT PEA-PME 150 indices. For more information, please visit lectra.com.

CIRCULOSE®, the next-generation material made entirely from discarded textiles, is partnering with TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to integrate supply

17/09/2025

At the Première Vision trade fair in Villepinte, leading European textile and clothing federations issued a joint declaration urging immediate action against the rapidly expanding phenomenon of ultra-fast fashion, a business model driven largely by non-European e-commerce giants.

According to industry estimates, in 2024 the EU imported 4.5 billion parcels of ultra-fast fashion items, accounting for 5% of total clothing sales and nearly 20% of online fashion sales. The pace of growth shows no signs of slowing, prompting growing alarm across Europe’s textile and fashion industries.

Concerns Raised

The federations warned of the severe and multi-dimensional risks posed by ultra-fast fashion:

- Waste explosion: Billions of cheaply made garments end up as textile waste within weeks of purchase, undermining Europe’s sustainability goals.
- Unfair competition: European SMEs and manufacturers, who comply with stringent labor, environmental, and quality standards, are undercut by platforms that ignore these obligations.
- Retail decline: Local fashion retailers and high street stores face mounting pressure, accelerating the erosion of traditional city centers.
- Regulatory breaches: Cases of VAT fraud, counterfeiting, and circumvention of EU trade rules are widespread among low-cost e-commerce imports.

Key Demands from the Industry

The federations are urging the European Commission and Member States to enforce and strengthen regulatory frameworks without delay. Their main proposals include:

- Full implementation of the European Customs Code reform adopted on June 27, 2025.
- Tighter enforcement under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) to curb illegal practices.
- Obligating e-commerce platforms to appoint legal representatives within the EU to ensure accountability.
- Introducing taxation on small parcels and abolishing the €150 customs duty exemption currently exploited by importers.
- Ensuring VAT collection on all parcels entering the EU.
- Opening structured dialogue with Chinese authorities, given that a large share of ultra-fast fashion imports originate from Chinese platforms such as Shein and Temu.

In addition to regulatory measures, the declaration appeals to European consumers to shift buying habits toward durable, high-quality products, thereby supporting local companies committed to sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation.

An Unprecedented United Front

The initiative reflects a pan-European mobilization, bringing together more than 20 national and regional textile and fashion federations from across the continent, including:

- EURATEX – European Apparel and Textile Confederation
- UFIMH – Union française des Industries de la mode et de l’Habillement
- UIT – Union des Industries Textiles (France)
- Confindustria Moda (Italy)
- Fedustria (Belgium)
- DM&T – Danish Fashion & Textile (Denmark)
- Textil+Mode (Germany)
- SEPEE – Hellenic Fashion Industry Association (Greece)
- Modint (Netherlands)
- ATP – Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal (Portugal)
- Consejo Intertextil Español (Spain)
- Swiss Textiles (Switzerland)
and many others representing Finland, Lithuania, Serbia, Sweden, Poland, Austria, and Belgium, along with the Alliance for European Flax-Linen & H**p.

A Clear Call to Action

The federations concluded their declaration with a firm message:

“Ultra-fast fashion cannot become the norm. The European Union has both the means and the duty to act immediately to protect its businesses, its workers, and the environment.”

The call marks a turning point in the European fashion industry’s response, as trade bodies across multiple countries join forces to push Brussels for urgent regulatory intervention to safeguard the continent’s textile heritage, sustainable future, and economic resilience.

At the Première Vision trade fair in Villepinte, leading European textile and clothing federations issued a joint declaration urging immediate action

17/09/2025

Bangladesh is attempting to secure a three-year extension to its scheduled graduation from the Least Developed Country category, but the effort faces significant resistance from key trading partners, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said.

Speaking at a workshop on US reciprocal tariffs and LDC graduation, organised by the Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, Rahman acknowledged the difficulty of the task. “We are trying to bring the issue to a UN resolution so that we can defer the graduation,” he noted, adding that countries including India, the United States, Japan, and Turkey have historically opposed such postponements.

Bangladesh is currently set to graduate from LDC status in November 2026, ending preferential trade benefits such as duty-free, quota-free market access in developed economies. Local businesses and trade bodies have repeatedly urged the government to push for a deferral, citing concerns about export competitiveness, tariff shocks, and inadequate preparedness in diversifying markets.

The workshop also highlighted the broader impact of reciprocal tariffs on Bangladesh’s exports. A research presentation by RAPID Chairman M.A. Razzaque projected that Bangladesh’s shipments to the US market could fall by 14% over the next year, equivalent to more than $1 billion in lost earnings. He noted that while Bangladesh would be hit, other competitors also face steep declines: China (–58%), India (–48%), Vietnam (–28%), and Indonesia (–27%).

RAPID’s Executive Director M. Abu Eusuf moderated the discussion, while Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) President Doulat Akter Mala attended as guest of honour. Experts at the event stressed that Bangladesh must simultaneously prepare for a post-LDC era by pursuing free trade agreements (FTAs), expanding export incentives, and exploring investment-friendly reforms. They warned that the loss of domestic export subsidies after graduation could pose an even bigger challenge than the removal of preferential trade access.

Bangladesh is attempting to secure a three-year extension to its scheduled graduation from the Least Developed Country category, but the effort faces

16/09/2025

SDC International along with SDC Bangladesh Region welcomes you to C3MFT (Colour Chemicals Compliance Machinery and Fashion Technology)

The C3MFT is not just an exhibition it is:
• An honest attempt to bring the latest innovations around the world in Colour Science to Bangladesh via the C3MFT Exhibition
• Recognize the commitment of Textile Professionals and Industry Leaders to Colour Science-Via the SDC Bangladesh Region – Industry Recognitions
• Celebrate the Vibrant culture of Bangladesh through fashion show-Via Tapas the Fashion show

About Us: SDC International, headquartered in Bradford, England, was founded in 2001 as SDC Global Enterprises Ltd and later renamed SDC International Ltd. The company is owned by the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), a registered charity established in 1884 under Royal Charter. Our legacy is rooted in advancing excellence in coloration science and sustainable innovation.

Tapas: The fashion show is themed around the celebration of South Asian culture and its deep-rooted connection with textiles, craftsmanship, and sustainable traditions. Pantone as our Official Colour Partner and we intend to promote a fashion show collection inspired by Pantone’s Autumn-Winter 2026 colour story – “Desire for Passion”.

We remain committed to collaborate with local partners to train textile professionals in Testing, colour management, Artificial Intelligence in design and many more domains. We look forward to meeting you in-person at ICCB, Purbachal Expy, Dhaka. Please pre-register at this link: https://sdcil.com/c3mft-bangladesh, Organisers: Yogesh Gaikwad : [email protected], Sheetal Jadhav: [email protected] Supporting organisation : SDC Bangladesh Chair SDC Bangladesh Region :The Chair : Prof Engr Ayub Nabi Khan, ProVC BGMEA University of Fashion & echnology.

16/09/2025

57th Texworld, Apparel Sourcing, and Leatherworld Paris 2025 opened on 15th September at the Paris–Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, featuring 1,300+ exhibitors from 35+ countries. Running until 17th September, the event offers global buyers a platform for textile innovation, sourcing, and trend insights.

Bangladesh is showcasing 20 companies, including NZ Denims, Hoorain High Tech Fabrics, Tex Weave, Clover Design & Sourcing, and seven additional exhibitors supported by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Their participation underscores Bangladesh’s growing role in sustainable textiles and apparel manufacturing.

Other key participants include China, India, Turkey, Korea, and Pakistan, while the Avantex section focuses on eco-friendly and tech-driven fashion. Industry leaders note that Texworld Paris remains a vital gateway for exporters to strengthen access to the European fashion market and build long-term buyer partnerships.

57th Texworld, Apparel Sourcing, and Leatherworld Paris 2025 opened on 15th September at the Paris–Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, featuring 1,300+

16/09/2025

Apparel imports into Central and South America surged 12.9% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching an estimated $9.6 billion, according to trade data. The growth marks a clear sign of recovery in consumer demand following a sluggish 2024, when inflationary pressures and currency fluctuations dampened regional purchasing power.

China retained its dominance, supplying 54% of all apparel imports, while Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Honduras followed, together accounting for over 72% of the total market share. Bangladesh, in particular, strengthened its foothold with competitive pricing in knitwear and denim, while Vietnam and Cambodia benefitted from strong demand for sportswear and athleisure.

Despite the rebound, total imports remain below the pre-pandemic peak of 2019, leaving considerable growth potential in the second half of 2025 and beyond. Analysts suggest that as local economies stabilize and consumer spending rebounds, import demand could continue to rise at a high single-digit rate through 2026.

The upward trend also highlights the growing nearshoring opportunity for Central American suppliers such as Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, who enjoy preferential trade access to the US and proximity advantages. These countries are increasingly viewed as alternatives to Asian sourcing amid global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties.

Industry experts note that the diversification of sourcing strategies—balancing imports from Asia with regionally produced goods—could reshape the apparel trade landscape in the Americas. If the current momentum holds, Central and South America may play a stronger role not only as import markets but also as manufacturing hubs for the Western Hemisphere in the coming years.

Apparel imports into Central and South America surged 12.9% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching an estimated $9.6 billion, according to trade

16/09/2025

Better Cotton has announced a partnership with carbon removal start-up ‘Planboo’ to support cotton farmers in transforming crop residues into biochar, a sustainable material that both improves soil health and generates potential revenue through carbon credits.

What is Biochar?

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance produced through pyrolysis—the heating of agricultural waste or organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Once incorporated into soils, biochar can store carbon for centuries, while also:

- Improving soil structure and fertility
- Enhancing water retention in dry climates
- Increasing the availability of nutrients to plants

Historical parallels exist:

Indigenous communities in the Amazon Basin created fertile “terra preta” soils using charcoal and organic waste, and similar practices have been documented across Africa and Asia.

Turning carbon storage into farmer’s income

Through Planboo’s digital monitoring and verification tools, farmers can accurately measure the amount of carbon captured in biochar. This data will be converted into verified carbon credits, which can be sold to third-party buyers.

For farmers, this could create a new income stream on top of traditional cotton sales, while contributing to climate change mitigation.

Challenges and Opportunities

While scalability and the credibility of carbon offset markets remain areas of debate, the initiative is one of the first sector-wide efforts to integrate biochar into cotton farming. If successful, it could pave the way for:

- Climate-smart agriculture practices in cotton-growing regions
- Stronger farmer resilience against climate shocks
- Increased investor and brand interest in verified carbon removal projects

Better Cotton has framed this initiative as part of its wider mission to ensure cotton farming is not only profitable for farmers, but also aligned with global climate goals.

16/09/2025

The European Parliament has officially adopted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that shifts the full responsibility for textile waste management onto fashion brands, retailers, and e-commerce platforms. This landmark law carries far-reaching implications for the global fashion supply chain.

Under the legislation, all producers selling textiles in the EU market—whether based inside or outside the bloc—must finance the collection, sorting, and recycling of products they place on the market. The financial burden of Europe’s mounting textile waste now lies directly with the brands that generate it.

Key Business Implications

Universal Scope: Applies to all producers of clothing, footwear, accessories, home textiles, and curtains, regardless of origin.
Fast Fashion Penalty: Member states must impose higher fees on ultra-fast and fast fashion brands, penalizing unsustainable business models.
Global Supply Chain Disruption: As the EU is the world’s largest textile importer, the new rules will impact exporters in Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and India, reshaping cost structures and competitiveness.
Immediate Timeline: Adopted in September 2025, requiring rapid operational and financial adjustments by producers.
Competitive Reshaping: Rising compliance costs will likely be pushed down to suppliers, altering sourcing relationships and pricing worldwide.

Stakeholder Implications

CEOs & Boards: This is not just regulatory compliance—it’s a business model transformation. Companies must integrate end-of-life costs into pricing, reconsider supplier contracts, and accelerate circular design adoption.
Sustainability Leaders: The law opens major opportunities in circular economy solutions, sustainable materials innovation, and traceability systems to meet compliance and unlock competitive advantage.

The European Parliament has officially adopted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that shifts the full responsibility for textile waste

15/09/2025

Sustainability × Automation × Flexibility: Taiwan’s Textile Machinery Leads the Next Generation of Manufacturing

The 2025 ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore will be held from October 28 to 30 at the Singapore EXPO. Organized by the International Trade Administration (MOEA), executed by TAITRA in collaboration with TAMI, the showcase will gather 34 Taiwanese companies under the theme “Weave Your Dreams with Taiwan Textile Machinery.” Through press briefing & media meetup, quick pitch & demo shows, and guided buyer tours, Taiwan will present its latest achievements in AI, smart manufacturing, and sustainable textile production.

In response to strict decarbonization targets set by global apparel brands and the growing demand for high-volume, diverse production driven by fast fashion, Taiwanese companies leverage their longstanding role as trusted suppliers to Adidas, Nike, and Lululemon. By integrating supply chains with continuous R&D innovation, they not only meet rigorous quality standards but also effectively reduce defect rates and carbon emissions. Supported by Taiwan’s ICT industry, AI sensors, data analytics, and control systems are swiftly adopted, driving smart upgrades that help buyers achieve the optimal balance of cost, efficiency, and sustainability.

Reshaping Asian Manufacturing: Taiwan’s Smart and Sustainable Textile Solutions

At the opening-day International Press Conference, six leading Taiwanese companies will unveil innovations that merge intelligence with sustainability—offering practical answers to global manufacturing challenges.

Pailung introduces a knitting solution with AI-powered defect detection and digital production control, ensuring stable, high-volume delivery. In dyeing, ACME presents a conveyor system that cuts water and energy use by over 65%, significantly reducing emissions and costs. Logic Art brings a modular, fully automated dyehouse solution that boosts capacity by up to 50%, enhancing consistency and reducing labor.

Asia Kingdom showcases a digital fabric protection system designed to minimize damage to premium fabrics. Copower Technology automates stock solution preparation to maximum accuracy and eliminates human error. KUANS launches a Smart Dyeing Analyzer powered by AI, enabling real-time monitoring and enhancing production output.

More than individual machines, these are scalable, factory-level solutions that help transform Asia’s textile production toward a smarter, greener future.

Technology Up Close: Quick Pitch & Demo Shows Spotlight Next-Generation Smart Textile Manufacturing

During the exhibition, 11 Taiwanese companies will host Quick Pitch & Demo Shows—short, impactful demos at their booths. Organized around three themes, the shows highlight how Taiwan turns innovation into real-world manufacturing value.

Under AI-Driven Smart Manufacturing, exhibitors demonstrate how intelligence enhances efficiency and stability. Pailung’s latest circular knitting machine combines speed and automation for high-mix, high-volume output. Kauo Heng introduces a three-system flat knitting machine that knits tri-color jacquard collars in one pass, with auto-lubrication and AI error detection raising productivity by nearly 60%. Kyang Yhe’s needle loom, tailored for seatbelts and military webbing, uses smart tension control for stable, high-throughput output. Jiunn Long features a double jersey circular knitting machine with servo yarn feeding and electronic take-down, cutting setup time by 80% and reducing waste.

The Low-Carbon × Flexible Sampling theme targets small-batch agility. CCI’s Evergreen II sampling loom produces diverse woven samples with a single bobbin, simplifying development and lowering cost. DAH HEER unveils its compact DH 800-ST raschel machine, designed for quick density adjustments and efficient small-lot runs.

Finally, Sustainability-Driven × Smart Upgrades show how digital systems reduce dyeing’s environmental impact. ACME reinforces its conveyor dyeing’s energy and water-saving edge. Asia Kingdom protects premium fabrics with digitally controlled torque. KUANS minimizes human error by linking AI to cloud platforms. JINTEX and Logic Art together deliver a green value chain—from 100% bio-based auxiliaries to fully automated dyeing and finishing systems.

Taiwan Textile Machinery Industry Map Driving Global Collaboration

TAITRA is also launching the Taiwan Smart Textile Machinery Buyer’s Guide, a comprehensive directory covering leading suppliers in knitting, weaving, dyeing and finishing, specialty chemicals, and automation systems. With this resource, apparel brands and garment manufacturers can save time in supplier selection and quickly identify solutions best suited to their needs.

Sustainability and intelligence are at the core of Taiwan’s offering. Beyond standalone equipment, Taiwanese suppliers deliver integrated solutions that help global factories maintain high efficiency, reduce costs, and comply with international ESG standards in today’s highly competitive market. 2025 ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore will serve as the ideal platform to validate these solutions and establish new partnerships with Taiwanese innovators.

Explore more event details and Taiwan’s smart textile solutions at the official site: “Weave Your Dreams with Taiwan Textile Machinery”

15/09/2025

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, today launched SILIGEN® D2W LIQ C, the industry’s first truly durable silicone softener for cellulosic as well as cotton-lycra blended knits. Designed to keep the fabric soft and elastic for an extended usage, it is ideal for textile and fashion applications where long-lasting comfort and breathability are important, from undergarments and sleepwear to baby and children’s clothing, dresses and trousers, activewear, T-shirts and towels.

Strong and absorbent, cotton and other cellulosic fibers are among the most widely used premium materials in the textile and fashion industry. To achieve the soft and luxurious handfeel that consumers expect, manufacturers commonly have to add a silicone softener during fabric finishing. In the past, it was necessary to choose between a durable softener that negatively impacted the natural absorbency of the cotton fiber or a softener that preserved the fiber’s ability to hold moisture but also soon washed off through home laundering.

Archroma’s new SILIGEN® D2W LIQ C was developed to overcome these challenges and produce fabrics that maintain their absorbency and their silky smooth feel for longer, extending their use life. SILIGEN® D2W LIQ C imparts an excellent, and highly durable handfeel while maintaining the natural absorbency of cotton. It also has minimum side effects, including no yellowing or phenolic yellowing, and is also compatible even with anionic components and easy-care resins extending the range of possible combinations for functional finishes including crease-resistance.

Dhirendra Gautam, VP Global Marketing and Strategy, Archroma, said, “Archroma is committed to innovation that furthers our planet conscious vision of the future of the apparel and textile industry. As our brand partners increasingly design for longevity, they want to offer garments that remain luxurious and comfortable to wear over a longer life. SILIGEN® D2W LIQ C is a breakthrough innovation that enables a new approach to softening. By enhancing both durability and cotton hand feel, it reduces the need for frequent replacement of garments to conserve resources, minimize waste and lessen the environmental impact of the industry.”

SILIGEN® D2W LIQ C is based on a new patent-pending chemistry from Archroma called micro-x. It is a cross-linkable microemulsion that forms a stable silicone network within the cellulosic fibers, ensuring more uniform distribution of the softener and locking it in to maintain softness over time while bringing wash-resistance.

In addition to developing the new silicone softener, the Archroma researchers also had to find a way to measure the durability of hand feel in an objective way.

“Handfeel was previously evaluated through human perception and expert opinion, but this does not align with our efforts to improve the transparency of the textile value chain and support mills and brands in meeting their sustainability goals,” Michael Schuhmann, Global Marketing Manager Finishing, Archroma Textile Effects, said. “We discovered that we can measure the elastic recovery added to the knitted fabric by the silicone finish and track it through multiple launderings to prove its durability. This enables mills and brands to more accurately quantify handfeel durability for the first time.”

Watch the video on the first truly durable silicone softener for cotton.

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, today launched SILIGEN® D2W LIQ C, the industry’s first truly durable