http://www.AdsaleATA.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/Listing.aspxCTA Textile - Daily Market NewsChinese textile and apparel industry is set for further growth, despite a number of challenges, while its competitors suffer declines as a result of cutbacks by retail buyers, according to Textile Intelligence's Textile Outlook International.Although the Chinese textile industry faces rising costs, an ageing population and, in some regions, labor shortages, it looks to have done reasonably well in 2011, the report says.According to the report, during January to November, its business revenues and profits each rose by 27% while its industrial output was up by 11%, year on year. These figures were met with some disappointment, however, on the grounds that the profit growth rate during this period was 14.7 percentage points lower than that in the first half of the year.Several other industries in Asia also did less well in the second half of 2011 as Western retailers cut orders for the spring/summer 2012 season over fears of a slump in demand after the Christmas and holiday season, the report notes.According to the report, Indian apparel exporters missed out on the chance to turn a fall in the value of the rupee into big orders. It says that the rupee fell in value by over 15% against the US dollar between July and December 2011, which provided the industry with an improvement in its competitiveness. However, the improvement failed to manifest itself in increased sales.Even the industry in Bangladesh, which has enjoyed dramatic growth in investment and exports in recent years, reported a downturn in its exports to the USA during the first four months of the country's 2011/12 financial year, says the report, which, at the same time, expects that apparel exports in Pakistan will fall by 30% in the whole of the 2011/12 financial year, with buying to be down by half in some cases.The reports explains that nervousness in the West has led buyers to make purchases close to the season and this is benefiting suppliers in close proximity to the world's two major markets - the EU and the USA. Furthermore, Nike and Adidas have recently announced plans to increase production in South America. However, it is not their intention to replace China, and Asia in general, as a source but rather to complement it.The report adds that if there has been a shift closer to home, the evidence is far from dramatic. In the 12 months to October 31, 2011, US apparel imports from member countries of the US-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) were up by only 2.6%. Imports from China over the same period were down by 3.0% but this is hardly a sea change.And looking at investment figures, it is difficult to foresee a massive switch in production any time soon, the report states, explaining that shipments of many types of fabric machinery to Chinese mills surged to record levels in 2010, and the Chinese textile industry remained by far the largest investor.In particular, the Chinese industry accounted for 84% of global shuttleless loom shipments in 2010 and Asia as a whole for an overwhelming 97%; in the case of circular knitting machinery, China accounted for 77% of global shipments and Asia for 92%; and in electronic flatbed knitting machinery China accounted for 74% of global shipments and Asia for 94%, according to the English company.Despite mounting pressures from rising costs, waning demand, restrained capital supplies and a shortage of funds for technological improvements, China's textile industry is expected by the report to grow at the same rate as, or even faster than, growth in international trade during 2012.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120514/Article.aspxThe American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) announced on February 6 that it will present the 2011 Harold C Chapin Award to Ann Campbell Laidlaw in recognition for her outstanding service to the association.According to AATCC, Ms Laidlaw has been a member of the association since 1979, when she was a student, and has served in its research, education, and outreach functions. Through her involvement with color science research, education, and training programs, she continues to influence and promote the mission and vision of the association.Presently, Ms Laidlaw is an active member of the AATCC research committees, administrative committees, and the Concept 2 Consumer (C2C) Interest Group, which she chaired for four years. She has served on the AATCC Board of Directors. She represents AATCC on the Inter-Society Color Council (ISCC) and she also headed the US delegation for the ISO/TC38/SC1 Meetings held in Paris, France, during July 2010.Ms Laidlaw has published several articles on color technology in AATCC Review, AATCC International Conference proceedings, and served as co-author of the recently published AATCC Color Guidebook. She has served as an ambassador for AATCC in her research and outreach, including presenting and moderating at AATCC workshops, symposia, and the International Conference, as well as for the AATCC webinar series. She also performs outreach to students: serving as master of ceremonies of the AATCC Textile Bowl from its debut in 1999 through 2008, and representing the association at colleges and universities.The Harold C. Chapin Award was established in 1958 in honor of Harold C. Chapin, professor of chemistry at Lowell Textile School, who served as national secretary of AATCC for nearly 25 years. The award is presented each year to a senior member, with at least 20 years continuous membership in AATCC, who has contributed outstanding service, enabling the association to attain the objectives for which it was founded.The awards luncheon will be held on March 23 during the AATCC 2012 International Conference, which will take place from March 21-23 in North Carolina, the US.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120513/Article.aspxDSM Dyneema has announced that it has successfully concluded its patent infringement dispute with Miclin Ltd and J&D Wilkie Ltd in Kirriemuir, the UK, trading under the Jack Ellis brand. Details of the settlement were not made public.According to DSM Dyneema's statement, the DSM Dyneema patent dispute with the Jack Ellis parent company, Miclin Ltd, until the company was acquired by J&D Wilkie Ltd, centered on an alleged infringement of a DSM Dyneema patent on polyethylene (PE) based pressed products, patent number EP 0833742B2. Polyethylene based pressed products are used in several applications such as panels for vehicle armoring and protective inserts for vests, as used by military and law enforcement officers to stop high-energy rifle rounds.The case was brought before the Patents Court of the High Court in London."We are very pleased with the outcome of this action," commented DSM Dyneema President Gerard de Reuver, saying that the dispute has been settled to DSM Dyneema's satisfaction. "DSM Dyneema as innovator protects its inventions through intellectual property rights. We cannot accept misuse of these rights. We therefore are highly vigilant in identifying activities that could threaten DSM Dyneema's drive to innovate and to deliver value to our business partners who benefit from these innovations."He added: "The UK market is of importance to DSM Dyneema. UK based companies have worked for many years with Dyneema solutions, both for the local market and export into Europe and beyond."The DSM Dyneema patent portfolio consists of more than 100 inventions protected by over 500 filed patents and patent applications worldwide and is continuously expanding, according to the company.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120508/Article.aspxThe Council for Trade in Goods of the World Trade Organization (WTO) approved on February 1 a request by the European Union (EU) to temporarily lift EU duties on certain products from Pakistan to help the country recover from massive floods in 2010, according to a news release of the WTO.The EU presented a revised request for a waiver on trade preferences for 75 products from Pakistan, which it said now included 20 on which tariff rate quotas would be applied instead of full liberalization. It said this revision reflected consultations with members that have expressed concerns about the EU request. The EU reiterated that it was asking for a waiver for the measure being taken in the light of exceptional circumstances, and would not be a precedent in the WTO. It added that the measures would be in effect from January 1 this year to December 31, 2013.WTO said that its members that have previously expressed concerns about the waiver said they were now able to agree to the waiver after consultations with the EU and Pakistan, but stressed the waiver should not be treated as a precedent.The Council for Trade in Goods forwarded the EU waiver request to the General Council for adoption.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120484/Article.aspxTextile dyes and chemicals supplier DyStar recently announced in a press release that it has joined the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), a collaborative venture established in 2011 by leading apparel retailers, suppliers and manufacturers with participation of academics and NGOs.The main objective of the SAC is to develop an Apparel Index which takes a full life-cycle view of an apparel product and identifies all major social and environmental impacts along the production chain, and dyes and chemicals are a key area of interest of the organization.Dystar emphasized that it has a long history of action to reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain, and recently issued its first corporate Sustainability Report prepared according to GRI principles. It also works closely with many of the brand and retailer members of the SAC in creating seasonal color palettes through its Color Solutions International business headquartered in North Carolina, the US, and in ensuring compliance of its products with Restricted Substance List requirements through its econfidence program."Our membership of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition signifies our commitment to working together with our partners in the industry to deliver systemic change in the way that textiles are manufactured globally," said Harry Dobrowolski, President of the DyStar Group.Jason Kibbey, newly appointed CEO of the SAC, remarked: "We're thrilled to have DyStar join the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. We look forward to their participation in building and implementing the Coalition's sustainability index to measure and improve sustainability initiatives throughout the entire industry."DyStar is also a founding member of the Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigment Manufacturers (ETAD), a System Partner of bluesign and a member of the Textile Exchange.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120475/Article.aspxGlobal high-performance materials company Ahlstrom recently announced that it has completed significant upgrades to its Global Filtration Technical Center in Turin, Italy.As noted, it has been investing in testing and processing equipment in its Global Filtration Technical Center in Turin during the last year. Now the center is equipped with various filtration testing and simulation equipment.According to Ahlstrom, testing can be carried out as finished filters or flat sheet configuration, and the testing facility focuses on research and development for all transportation, air and liquid filtration applications.In addition to the several filtration testing equipment, the center provides access to pleaters and processing equipment in order to build prototypes and simulate real life filtration conditions, in order to achieve the specific performance needed for filtration norms and applications."Our investment to the testing and development facility is yet another example of our commitment to the filtration market. We are now better equipped to collaborate with our customers and work together to develop the next generation filtration ideas," states Tommi Björnman, Executive Vice President, Filtration.Ahlstrom is allegedly the world's largest filtration material producer. Ahlstrom Filtration has five other Technical Centers in North and South America and in Asia, which offer R&D support globally for testing and development of filter media. http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120448/Article.aspxStork Prints, a Dutch printing solutions provider for graphics, metal precision and textile industries, has recently introduced a new screen type called Random Mesh 125 screen, or RM125, which was designed to avoid the so-called moiré effects.As explained, Moiré is an effect that occurs when two regular structures interfere and thus a new, third pattern is created. This can happen when a screen's regular mesh structure and a line raster's grid structure meet. To avoid these moiré effects, the holes in a Random Raster screen are not arranged on straight lines as is the case for conventional screens. The position of each hole is just slightly out of line.Looking in detail to the repetitive structures in a moiré area, one can find a pattern, sometimes described as a rosette-pattern, where circles of raster dots are arranged around a center dot, and this is also visible from a distance. This effect disturbs geometrical raster designs, for instance, when imaging a weaving or a bark structure.Stork Prints says that this can be avoided by using RM125 screen. The streamlined hole-shape of the new RM125 screen leads to an improved and higher paste flow, and this results in more contrast in raster areas, which leads to a more relief-like look in geometrical raster patterns.As introduced, the higher paste flow leads to smoother raster dots and gives a softer halftone impression. Both effects together allow to image more details than with a comparable linear mesh screen.Stork Prints adds that the new RM125 screen is an interesting supplement to the range of Stork Prints mesh screens, and has the capability of solving engraving problems for geometrical raster designs and in halftones.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120440/Article.aspxTrade between Sri Lanka and the US will grow this year due to the gradual revival of the US economy and new trade opportunities explored by both countries, said Vijaya Ratnayake, President of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Sri Lanka. He said 2012 will be a good year for trade and investments for both countries, because both countries are eager to expand cooperation and trade ties.Trade and investment between Sri Lanka and the US recorded a substantial growth in 2011. Sri Lanka exported apparels, rubber, precious stones, tea, coffee, spices, chemical products, plastics, electrical machinery and equipment to the US, while aircraft, spacecraft and parts, cereals, machinery and machinery appliances, cotton, filaments, paper and paper board, and knitted fabrics were imported from the US.Mr Ratnayake said the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks held recently successfully promoted trade and investment between the two countries.The talks centered around market access, the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), promotion of trade, intellectual property rights and sector-specific challenges to investment.Discussions also included the importance of considering the issues of gender in setting up a trade and investment policy, and in expanding technical cooperation between the two countries.The US is the second largest market for Sri Lankan garment exports, accounting for around 40% of the total garment exports of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's exports to the US last year were estimated to be around US$1.77 billion, which represented 21% of the country's total exports.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120399/Article.aspxGTN Industries Group, a vertically integrated yarns, fabrics and apparels group, announces a new growth strategy for its Cotstyle Apparels brand.According to the Indian group, Cotstyle Apparels will step up a domestic market focus. It will invest more than Rs200 million in its mercerized cotton garment facilities, and strives to increase its presence in as many cities across the country as possible to meet the growing needs of its retail partners and consumers as well as increase its store footprint from the current level of 750 stores to 1,200 stores. "We want to unlock the huge growth potential of Cotstyle Apparels in the domestic market," says M K Patodia, Chairman & Managing Director of GTN Industries Group. "Our new strategy is in line with our ambitious growth plan for Cotstyle mercerized line of polo shirts and socks. This shift will also bring marketing focus, consistency and simplicity as consumer acceptance and demand for our business casual collections in the niche single fiber product markets continue to propel."While Cotstyle Apparels' planned investment is in excess of Rs200 million, the overall investment by the group will be Rs350 million.Cotstyle Apparels also announced its spring/summer collections 2012. Cotstyle expects its brand new solids to striped spring summer collections will spin sales volumes of Cotstyle mercerized polo shirts and socks by 50% as more stores begin to sell Cotstyle range of apparels. The men's collection will include luxury mercerized cotton polo shirts, Pima and Giza cotton knitwear in a range of colors, including a new collection of stylish and modern color palettes.The Cotstyle Garment unit has the capacity to manufacture 200,000 units per year. "We may expand this capacity based on the market response in the next few years," says M K Patodia.Currently, Cotstyle makes polo shirts and formal dress socks. GTN Industries says Cotstyle Apparels operates in a niche market and does not see any competition in its segment as the other players in the market are mainly brand-focused and not process-centric like Cotstyle.As revealed, Cotstyle also plans to launch its branded stores in 2012-2013 in selected Indian cities.GTN Industries' major export markets include Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the US and Canada. The brand is equally dominant in Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. The company plans to tap new export markets which will include the UK, Ireland and South America.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120398/Article.aspxIntertextile Shanghai Home Textiles - Spring Edition will be held during February 29 to March 2, featuring an expected 200 exhibitors on 37,000sq m of trade space and more than 10,000 plus buyers will be attracted to visit the show according to one of the organizers, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.A wide selection of spring / summer home textile products will be showcased at the fair, including curtains, furniture and upholstery fabrics, beddings and towels.Chinese Hangzhou Wikman will re-exhibit their curtain products at the fair this year. "Last year, our products were well-received, so this year we decided to return and bring our new collection," said Alice Chu, the company's representative.Another curtain supplier, Hangzhou Xiaoshan Phoenix Textile from China, will present their curtains made with light materials and new technologies. "This is a good business platform for us to connect with China's local market and we believe that the new venue will attract even more buyers," said Shi Cheng-kuang, the company's owner."The local buyers that we met last year were frequently exchanging ideas on the latest trends and market demands, so we are confident that the fair will help promote our Modal fibers as well as our company brand to the Chinese market," said Lucia Chen, a representative for Lenzing Fibers (Shanghai) Co Ltd, which will highlight new applications on Modal fibers for towel and other home textile products at the fair.Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles Spring is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120356/Article.aspxJapanese Teijin Group recently announced that the first program in China for collecting and recycling used uniforms was launched in collaboration with Shandong Asahi Green Source Hi-Tech Farm Co Ltd and Shandong Asahi Green Source Milk Products Co Ltd, both subsidiaries of Asahi Group Holdings.The uniforms will be recycled using Teijin's Eco Circle, an environmentally friendly closed-loop system incorporating its technology for the chemical recycling of polyester introduced in 2002.As part of the program, Teijin Fibers' chemically recyclable polyester fiber is woven into textiles and dyed by Nantong Teijin Co Ltd, a Teijin Group company in Nantong on the east coast of China. This month, high-warmth uniforms made with the recyclable textile were distributed to the some 200 employees of the two companies based in Shandong Province, also on the east coast, which produce and sell vegetables, fruits and milk.As explained, uniforms will be collected after their useful lives and sent to Teijin Fibers' Matsuyama plant in Japan. After chemical decomposition, they will be converted into polyester raw materials offering purity comparable to polyester derived directly from petroleum. The raw materials will then be turned into high-quality polyester for the manufacture of new recyclable products.Repeated recycling achieved with the Eco Circle system is said to significantly reduce both energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with conventional petroleum-based processes for polyester production. Teijin said that it is working with more than 150 apparel and sportswear manufacturers worldwide to develop and manufacture products made from recyclable materials, as well as to collect and recycle these products at the end of their useful lives. The manufacturers include well-known brands such as Patagonia, Henri Lloyd and Quiksilver. In China, Teijin has been collaborating with Li Ning since 2009. "We are pleased to collaborate with Asahi Group Holdings' two Shandong Asahi Green Source subsidiaries under a mutual commitment to sustainability through recycling," commented Hirotaka Nakagawa, President of Nantong Teijin. "With environmental consciousness steadily rising in China, Teijin is witnessing a growing interest in its Eco Circle program. We will continue to pursue and expand our environmental initiatives in this fast-growing market."http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120355/Article.aspxLectra, a French supplier of integrated technology solutions for industries using soft materials such as textiles, leather, industrial fabrics, and composite materials, recently announced the appointment of Jean-Patrice Gros as Director of the Middle East and North Africa region."Appointing Jean-Patrice Gros as the head of this region, with Turkey at the forefront, demonstrates our commitment in supporting this high-potential area," said Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO. "Renowned for the quality of its production, Turkey is the European Union's second supplier of textile-clothing, behind China. Based on a dynamic internal market, the country continues to evolve into developing its own international fashion brands and automobile production centers," he added."The expertise of Lectra's teams in implementing innovative technologies, facilitating design and production, should enable Turkish industrialists, as well as industrialists from the whole region, to respond more easily to the rhythm of Fast Fashion and the flexibility required by the automotive industry," stated Jean-Patrice Gros.According to Lectra, Mr Gros, who has been with the CAD/CAM equipment and software company for 30 years, will be able to accompany Lectra's customers in their strategy of creating value, promoting synergies in the region and strengthening their links with European manufacturers.He has been responsible for the International Advanced Technology Center of Bordeaux (France), before being appointed head of sales in Canada and Director of the Maghreb region.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120332/Article.aspxVietnam's textile and garment exports saw a 38% increase in 2011 over the previous year to reach US$15.6 billion, according to statistics of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This accounted for 17% of the country's total export turnover, making it the largest industry in earning foreign currency.During the year, the US remained Vietnam's biggest export market - Vietnam exported US$7.1 billion worth of textiles and garments to the US, up by 13% year on year. It was followed by the EU (US$2.4 billion, +25%) and Japan (US$1.65 billion, +43%).According to Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (VINATEX), the industry spent US$9.1 billion during the year on importing materials for local production, including fabric (US$6.75 billion, +26.1%), fiber and yarn (US$1.53 billion, +30.6%) and cotton (US$1.05 billion, -56.6%).Vietnam also saw strong growth in exports to Korea thanks to the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA).http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120328/Article.aspxHansae Vietnam Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Korean apparel manufacturer Hansae Company Ltd, recently broke ground for its third apparel plant in Vietnam at Tan Huong Industrial Zone in Tien Giang province in the south of the country.With investment of US$30 million, the plant has a production capacity of 30 million pieces of apparel per year, all of which will be for exports only.Besides this plant, Hansae Vietnam has been operating two other apparel plants in Ho Chi Minh city. All products of these plants are exported through the Seoul-based Hansae company to major clients including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, GAP, Sears, Nike, Target, Navy and W-Mart.Vietnam is the biggest production base of the Hansae company outside Korea, which also produces in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Indonesia.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120284/Article.aspxThe Cotton Crop Assessment Committee (CCAC) of Pakistan decided on January 26 the country's cotton crops to be 12.598 million bales (170kg each), including 10.133 million bales from the Punjab province, during 2011-12, while the country's cultivated area was estimated to be about 7.924 million acres.The committee kept the output estimate the same as it announced at the meeting held on December 20, 2011. But the output estimate is far less than the production target of 14 million previously set for 2011-12.Pakistani media reported that the meeting was chaired by the Pakistan's Federal Textile Minister and attended by major stakeholders involving the Pakistan Textile Mills Association, the Karachi Cotton Association and the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association. The CCAC's crop estimate was, however, not agreed to by Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association, which expected 14 million bales according to a report by Pakistan's financial newspaper Business Recorder.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120283/Article.aspxBrazil's fast-growing economy and the population's buoyant spending have resulted in a large increase in textile and clothing consumption per capita in the country, and this has provided a big boost to production, according to a report in Textile Intelligence's Textile Outlook International.During 2005 to 2010, textile and clothing production in Brazil rose by 25.2%, and this trend is expected to continue. The industry is prominent in world terms and fulfills a central role in the country's manufacturing sector. In 2010, it produced 2.25 million tons of textiles and 1.96 million tons of made-up articles, making Brazil the world's fifth largest textile producer and fourth largest clothing producer.Moreover, there has been a sharp increase in domestic demand as personal disposable incomes have risen, and this has manifested itself in an impressive 50% rise in fiber consumption per head during the five years to 2010, notes the UK-based business information company. The increase in domestic demand has been met partly by a surge in imports, but domestic production has increased at an even faster rate.Such fast growth has spurred a surge in acquisitions of new and more modern machinery by Brazilian manufacturers in a bid to increase productivity. As a result, the industry is becoming more capital intensive and has seen a reduction in its labor costs.The industry also benefits from local sources of raw materials, especially cotton; yields have risen to the point where they are among the highest in the world, and Brazil has become a major cotton exporter.Not surprisingly, cotton continues to dominate fiber consumption by Brazil's spinning mills, and the country has become the world's second largest producer of denim fabric, says Textile Intelligence.However, the scope for expanding synthetic fiber output and consumption is expected to increase considerably in the future as a result of developments in the country's oil industry. At the same time, costs are likely to be markedly lower and this should provide users of synthetic fibers in the textile and clothing industry with substantial benefits in terms of availability and costs, according to Textile Intelligence.Despite increases in production and consumption, Brazil still has enormous potential for further growth - economic progress in the past has tended to be erratic and be devilled by rampant inflation. But today, the country appears to be on a steady and sustainable upward path and this should lead to an even better outcome for the Brazilian textile and clothing industry, Textile Intelligence says.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120265/Article.aspxThailand's garment industry has been recently facing fierce competition from other countries in Asia. Because of this, the Thai manufacturers are finding ways to enhance their competitiveness, and one of them is to set up a Fashion Product Development Center and to develop the country as a fashion center in the ASEAN region.According to the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association (GMAC), it has proposed to the government to set up a Fashion Product Development Center to focus on research and development, offer workshops for pattern-making, sewing and fitting technologies, and serve as an experimental laboratory for the Thai business operators.Sukij Kongpiyacharn, President of the GMAC, adds that probably there may not be new investment in Thailand's garment industry over the next three to five years, as investors will shift their attention to neighboring countries due to the country's rising production costs.He also warns that Thai garment exports will record zero growth in 2012 largely because of the declining global economy.In the first 11 months of 2011, Thailand's garment exports reached US$3.011 billion, which represented a slight year-on-year increase of 3.45%.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120263/Article.aspxAt the 9th Dhaka Textile and Garment Show 2012 (DTG 2012) to be held from February 9-12, the UK-based texting instruments supplier James Heal will join its Bangladeshi representative agent, Overseas Marketing Corporation (Pvt) Ltd in Dhaka, to present its textile testing instruments for fabric and color fastness testing, plus a range of test materials.On February 7, one day prior to the show, it will also organize a pre-exhibition seminar titled "Professional Textile Testing & Dyeing Solution for QC, QA and Growth of Export Market", jointly with OMC and Copower Technology Co Ltd from Taiwan.At this pre-exhibition seminar, James Heal's International Sales Manager Simon Dakin will deliver presentations detailing the company's recent strategic rebranding project, and how a new product signature for all their testing instruments has been developed.Also, the latest new product launches including the redesigned Titan4 and TruFade, as well as the newly rebranded instruments, Martindale, Elmatear2 and TruBurst will be discussed.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120254/Article.aspxThe Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) and the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) of India recently entered into a cooperation agreement to further promote the bilateral collaboration of the two countries in textiles and garments.According to the agreement, both groups will execute activities in investment and manufacturing promotion, and encourage local enterprises to participate in trade shows hosted in each country.In addition, an information board has been set up by the two parties in order to help their companies update the information of both countries and build the work frame for trade activities.The agreement was signed by Le Van Dao, Vice Chairman of the VITAS and Premal Udani, Chairman of the AEPC.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120253/Article.aspxChinese Customs statistics reveal that during January to November 2011, China's cumulative cotton imports reached 2.58 million tons, up by 8.3% year on year. The cumulative cotton imports for the year 2011 (starting from September 2011) hit 883,000 tons, up by 108.7% year on year.In November 2011, China imported 378,000 tons of cotton, up by 49.9% compared with October 2011, and up by two times year on year. Its unit import price was US$2,610 per ton, down by US$39 or 1.5% compared with the previous month, but up by 10.8% year on year.Among China's cotton import countries in November 2011, India, Australia and Brazil were the top three, which imported 124,000 tons, 75,000 tons and 66,800 tons respectively. Also, the US cotton saw the highest level of growth rate in imports, which was four times more than that in October 2011, making up 8.5% of the total cotton imports. Even though in November alone, the share of Australian cotton in the total cotton imports dropped to less than 20%, it is noteworthy that during January to November 2011, Australian cotton imports saw a year-on-year growth of 120.5%.Besides, in November, Brazilian cotton imports continued to grow, making up 17.7% of China's cotton imports, while Uzbekistan's cotton imports saw a 160.3% increase compared with October 2011. http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120228/Article.aspxA US-based manufacturer and marketer of specialty fibers and nonwoven materials, Buckeye Technologies Inc recently announced to have signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets and ongoing operations of its Merfin Systems converting business to the US-based National Tissue Company, LLC. Merfin Systems, located in North Carolina, the US, is a converter of towels, tissue and napkins which it sells along with proprietary paper product dispensers into the away from home market. National Tissue is a privately owned converter located in Wisconsin, the US, marketing and selling its broad product line primarily through small and mid-sized distributors located in the Midwest.National Tissue's President, Mike Graverson, said, "Merfin is an excellent fit and will complement National Tissue's core business. Merfin brings their proprietary dispensing systems and other product extensions to our basic offering. Adding a second and expandable operating location is a big step in our strategic roadmap."Buckeye's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Crowe said, "While it (Merfin) has not been a core business for Buckeye, we have been pleased with our 15 year ownership of Merfin Systems. We believe this opens up new horizons for this fine company, and enables Buckeye to deploy the proceeds into its strategic operations."He added, "We expect to incur non-cash goodwill and fixed asset impairment charges of about US$4 million in the October-December 2011 quarter. The sale along with associated liquidation of working capital is expected to generate approximately US$6 million in cash."http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120209/Article.aspxDespite the global economic slowdown, the US luxury fashion market still continues to grow, said Marc Karimzadeh, Fashion Features Editor of American Women's Wear Daily at the seminar on "Trends and opportunities: A view from the North American market" held yesterday (January 18) during the Hong Kong Fashion Week.He said that amid the pessimistic financial climate, New York remains a paradise for young fashion designers to realize their dreams, continuously attracting new designers from around the world to start their career there, and among them are a number of talented young designers who have risen to fame. "World renowned designers like Calvin Klein, Donna Karen, Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors represent the golden age of outstanding American fashion designs, while young designers such as Alexander Wang, Philip Lim and Jason Wu are the epitome of the new blood of New York's fashion design, who are injecting new ideas and brand new operation models into the high fashion world."According to Mr Karimzadesh, in order to succeed in New York, it is essential to establish a unique style to stand out in the competitive arena, and to open the eyes to the borderless vast market. Take Alexander Wang as an example, his charming dresses have high wearability and are well-received, whereas Jason Wu, who started as a Barbie dolls fashion designer, is a fashion designer whose designs are adored by Michelle Obama. Their unique style in design is one thing they have in common.New designers need to have diversified development to expand the source of income, he said, explaining that "besides designing high fashion, designers need to design fashion affordable to mass consumers, in order to meet the upcoming trend of 'democratic fashion' in the whole world."More exchange and cooperation between Asian and American fashion designers will definitely bring more impacts to the entire fashion industry, he added.Mr Karimzadeh stressed that nowadays, consumers have become very savvy, and they prefer fashion items that can create emotions. Lady Gaga's far-reaching influence to trend-conscious people is undeniable, making bold "experiment and trial" in mix-and-match a new power.Besides, he said that followed by the technological advancement, new fashion retail models and channels such as online shopping and mobile apps will become increasingly widespread.When it comes to the future fashion trend, he noted that feminine tender beauty in design, tough-looking sportive fashion as well as amusement park-inspired clothing and accessories will be a big hit. In conclusion, he emphasized that luxurious and exquisite and elegant fashion is of vast market potentials, and with Chinese consumers demanding more for luxury fashion, the market will become bigger and bigger.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120186/Article.aspxThe Oeko-Tex Association recently announced to have updated the applicable test criteria and limit values for testing textiles for harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100 with effect as of January 1, 2012.The Oeko-Tex criteria catalogue stipulates the following amendments:With respect to the current version of the REACH candidate list and the current consultations, wet spun fibers and coatings will in future be tested for n-methylpyrrolidone and dimethylacetamide. Both chemicals are listed in the new category "Solvent residues" and must not exceed a limit value of 0.1% weight by weight.In addition, relevant test samples must also be tested for four new plasticizers: di-C6-8-chain alkyl phthalates, di-C7-11-chain alkyl phthalates, di-n-hexyl phthalates (DHP) and bis(2-methoxyethyl)phthalates. These will be incorporated with the phthalates already listed in the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The total limit value of 0.1% weight by weight shall remain unchanged.In analogy to the already existing ban on alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) within the framework of certification of environmentally friendly production sites according to Oeko-Tex Standard 1000, the successful testing for nonylphenols, nonylphenol-(1-9)-ethoxylates, octylphenols and octylphenol-(1-2)-ethoxylates will in future also form a prerequisite for product certification according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The following limit values apply to all four product classes:nonylphenols: 100ppmoctylphenols: 100ppmTotal nonylphenol-(1-9)-ethoxylates: 1,000ppmTotal Octylphenol-(1-2)-ethoxylates: 1,000ppmIn order to allow companies an adequate time frame to implement any necessary changes in their production, the requirements will only come into force definitively after a transition period on April 1, 2013. This regulation does not apply to companies certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 1000, as they already comply with the required criteria, says the association.The limit value for extractable chromium is set at 10mg/kg for leather products in product class IV. This exception to the usual chromium limit values for textile articles corresponds to the best available technology on the market at the current time and does not pose any toxicological risk when such products are used as intended.According to the Oeko-Tex Association, the scope of the control tests on Oeko-Tex certified products is being extended to cover 20% of all certificates issued annually in future, as opposed to the minimum 15% tested to date. In practice, in recent years, an average of 18% of certificates have been tested using product samples taken from the shops.The association says that the regular re-evaluation of the test parameters is based on current market and product developments, new toxicological findings and new legal requirements, also taking into consideration the REACH legislation, including the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) relevant to textile manufacturing which have been added in 2011.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120176/Article.aspxManmade cellulose fibers supplier Lenzing AG is taking legal action against One-A's violation of its Lyocell patents, it stated in a press release on January 17.According to Lenzing, preliminary but not yet legally binding injunction has been imposed on the Austrian engineering firm One-A Engineering Austria GmbH, and accordingly, One-A is prohibited from using the Lyocell spinning technology which has been patented by Lenzing.Lenzing noted that One-A is owned by four previous Lenzing-Lyocell employees, and received an engineering contract from the Chinese company Baoding Swan Ltd. Lenzing added that the corresponding evidence to back its claim was obtained within the context of a search warrant ordered by the Vienna Commercial Court and executed at One-A's offices.Lenzing stated that it is the owner of process patents, in which, after the forming procedure in the spinning device, the Lyocell spinning solution is released into an air gap of a special gas or air stream, which enables the constant and high quality of Lyocell fibers.Lenzing stressed that as a result of the patents, the production processes may not be used without its express approval. Similarly, the fibers manufactured in accordance with this process may not be used, offered for sale or sold without Lenzing's consent.Lenzing said that in line with the preliminary injunction, One-A is not permitted any longer to teach other individuals or parties, in particular Baoding Swan Ltd, how to use the patent-protected processes or support them in using this process. This injunction particularly relates to the supply of know-how, project concepts, process descriptions and plant design.It added that this supply ban also applies to drafts and plans (such as technical drawings), process instructions and instruction manuals for plants, equipment and components, as well as the provision of engineering services and technical service.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120140/Article.aspxCotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV), along with other sucking pests such as mealybug, jassid and whitefly, is still posing a major threat to Pakistan's cotton crop, despite the introduction of Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) cotton."Studies on Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) cotton have acknowledged that Pakistani farmers are not making the most of BT cotton, because the BT varieties were developed by various private sector plant breeders by transferring BT trait to locally developed cotton varieties, and these varieties are distributed without a formal regulatory framework which raises several concerns about seed quality," said the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its recent report.According to the report, there is also no resistance management plan and farmers are encouraged to maintain a refuge area with conventional cotton varieties alongside BT cotton crop so that resistance in pests may not rekindle over a period of time.SBP said that controlling these pests is important because cotton yields in Pakistan are very low compared with other countries like China, Brazil and Turkey, despite that Pakistan is the world's fourth largest cotton producer.Although higher intensity of insect and pest attacks and poor quality of seeds are the key reasons for low cotton yields in Pakistan, it can be improved with the introduction of pest-resistant seeds, which is likely to have substantial impact on cotton production.The use of BT cotton has an immediate bearing on farmers as it reduces expense on pesticides and crops gain resistance against the incidence of bollworm, but seeds are costlier and require more water and urea.BT cotton has been developed through the transfer of a gene, Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT), from a soil bacterium. This gene enhances crop resistance against three bollworms: spotted, pink, and American bollworm. The Pakistani government introduced genetically-modified (GM) cotton seeds from 2010 kharif season (June to September). Accordingly, certified seeds for 10 varieties of BT cotton and one hybrid variety were released.Although the work on developing GM seeds started in 1997, delays in commercial use of certified GM seeds resulted in unregulated adoption of different varieties of BT cotton as early as the year 2000, said SBP.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120137/Article.aspxChina Customs' statistics revealed that in 2011, the country's cumulative exports in textile and garment hit US$247.89 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of 20.04%, which saw a drop of 1.16 percentage points in growth rate, as compared with 21.2% from January to November. To this sum, China's cumulative exports in textile were amounted to US$94.67 billion in 2011, a growth of 22.88% compared with US$77.04 billion of 2010. Last year, the country's garment exports totaled US$153.22 billion, up 18.35% as compared with US$129.47 billion of 2010. In December alone, China's textile and garment exports hit US$21.74 billion, increased by 6.64% month on month, and up by 9.2% compared with the same month in 2010. To this sum, textile exports amounted to US$8.30 billion, up 12.62% year on year, while garment exports reached US$13.44 billion, up by 7.16% year on year.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120118/Article.aspxIndia's Union Ministry of Textiles has recommended that the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) should be extended for five years. It has also proposed to the Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission to include the scheme in the country's 12th Five-Year Plan beginning April 2012."The suggestion has been put forward for approval to the steering group in the Planning Commission, for including TUFS in the 12th Five-Year Plan," noted V Srinivas, Joint Secretary of Textiles Ministry. Industry experts believe subsidy may be reduced to 4% from the current 5%, except for garment manufacturing and weaving which would receive 5% subsidy. TUFS, suspended in June 2010, was reintroduced in April 2011, with an addition of Rs1,972 crore (a crore = 10 million) for one year and the scheme is to end on March 31, 2012. However, this year, the response has been weak due to the slowdown in the Indian market.In the modified TUFS, the loan repayment has been reduced to seven years from 10 years earlier. The moratorium period remains two years and the loan-repayment period has been reduced to five years from seven years.TUFS was first introduced in 1999 and received very encouraging response. The total subsidy released was Rs11,200 crore, of which Rs8,883 crore was issued in the last three years. TUFS is estimated to have catalyzed investments worth of Rs208,000 crore, during its 11-year life. Last year, the textile industry has been affected drastically due to the high volatility in cotton prices. In October 2011, India decided to allow duty-free import of 48 textile items from Bangladesh. As a result, Indian apparel manufacturers are moving to Bangladesh and exporting garments to India. Earlier, only the garment and processing sector enjoyed 10% subsidy. The weaving sector in the new scheme has been granted 10% capital subsidy for new shuttle-less looms, to get rid of second-hand ones. However, the spinning sector's interest reimbursement has been reduced to 4% from the earlier 5%. http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120108/Article.aspxSwitzerland-based inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS Consumer Testing Services announced the first Product Carbon Footprint program offering marks that can be applied to products manufactured and sold on international markets.Designed to provide a competitive marketing edge by displaying validated environmental claims, the program is also the first to offer a comprehensive progressive three-label scheme demonstrating continuous improvement in reducing and offsetting a given product's environmental impact.As introduced, unlike carbon footprint mark schemes that are limited to a state, a country or a single phase in a product's carbon journey, SGS's program offers a comprehensive global approach that covers all geographies with a single label as well as recognizing multiple levels of environmental achievement. Products can "earn" three different marks successively:- SGS Carbon Footprint, conveying a brand's environmental commitment by attesting that SGS has calculated the total greenhouse gas emissions over the product's lifecycle, using internationally accepted standards and listing the results on the label.- SGS Carbon Reduction, signifying that the product's carbon footprint has been reduced in a 12-month continuous improvement scheme established after the initial carbon footprint calculation.- SGS Carbon Neutral, indicating a significant reduction has been achieved and that remaining emissions have been offset through programs such as renewable energy credit purchase systems run by certified third-party organizations.According to the company, its in-house sustainability experts can support companies to set up a carbon reduction strategy and help define an attainable reduction target in order to pave the way for achieving the SGS Carbon Reduction and SGS Carbon Neutral marks. That strategy, based on the product lifecycle analysis, can include steps such as raw material reductions, energy management, implementation of best available technologies and supply chain optimization. These techniques can also help drive savings in production costs, says SGS.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120071/Article.aspxSome 1,900 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions will take part in the Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter, and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) World Boutique, Hong Kong from today through January 19. At the pre-fair press conference on January 3, Benjamin Chau, Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC, the fairs' organizer, said: "Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter and World Boutique, Hong Kong, are premier events for the Asian fashion scene. The fairs have again received great support from global fashion designers and brands, cementing Hong Kong's status as Asia's trendsetting hub." Said to be the largest event of its kind in Asia, Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter will introduce three new product zones, namely Denim Arcade, Handbags Select and Salon of Scarves & Shawls. Combined with World Boutique, the two fairs will welcome more than 110 buying missions comprising more than 4,700 buyers from 40 countries and regions, says the organizer. One of the highlights, Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza will be held on the evening of January 16. It will feature four internationally acclaimed designers, Hidy Ng from Hong Kong, Craig Lawrence from London, Risto Bimbiloski from Paris and Qi Gang from Shanghai. Besides, Hong Kong's supermodel Grace Yu, who was Christian Dior's first Asian model, will be on the catwalk wearing Hidy Ng's collection. To be held on January 17, the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers Contest 2012 will showcase a new generation of Hong Kong design talent, with renowned Japanese designer Atsuro Tayama as the VIP judge. Moreover, the twin fairs will also offer a full programme of seminars focusing on trend forecasting and design directions. Speakers will include representatives of WGSN, Fashion Snoop, Peclers Paris, WWD and Stylesight.According to HKTDC, Hong Kong's exports of clothing and related accessories were worth US$22.4 billion in the first 11 months of 2011, up by 2% over the same period in 2010. Its major export destinations were the US, Germany, the UK, Japan and China.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120070/Article.aspxJames Heal has launched the Titan4, the fourth generation Universal Strength Tester, designed specifically for testing textiles, nonwovens and leather, and in various forms: yarns, fabrics, garments and security of attachments.Characterizing this UK-designed and manufactured instrument are an intelligent, easy-to-use TestWise Test Analysis Software. As introduced, the software is a new addition to Titan4and users can start testing in just "three clicks". The software has an extensive library of preloaded national and international standards, as well as retailers' test methods. Standards can be found easily using the search filters and favorite standards can be saved.The company says Titan4 operates, as standard, in both tension and compression, and has an extensive range of tool-free, interchangeable specimen grips. A choice of three load cells up to 3,000N (about 300kg) is available, which is supplied in cartridge form to improve protection and to facilitate safe handling and storage.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120038/Article.aspxThe UK-based Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) recently announced the appointment of Dr Graham Clayton to the position of Chief Executive. He will take up his post on February 1.Dr Clayton grew up in West Yorkshire and has since worked throughout the UK and overseas. According to the society, he has many years of scientific and technical experience, including time spent with a color measurement instrumentation company.His portfolio includes business management and development responsibilities in large and small UK and international companies. Other roles have been in the public sector, education, academia, governance, charities and a not-for-profit company.He joins SDC from Intelligent Formulation Ltd, St Michael's York Trust, Spurriergate Trading Ltd and the Governing body of Applefields Secondary School.Dr Clayton commented: "I am very pleased to be invited to be the next CEO of the SDC - this role draws together many aspects of my experience that I look forward to utilizing for the future greater success of the SDC."Arthur Welham, Chair of the SDC Trustee Board, commented: "Graham is highly experienced, and has an impressive track record in industry and depth of business experience which will accelerate our international growth."In a further development, Andrew Filarowski has also been appointed to the new post of Deputy Chief Executive.Mr Welham commented: "The Board would like to express their thanks to Andrew Filarowski for the exemplary way in which he has filled the role of Acting Chief Executive since early August in what could have been a very difficult period for the Society."http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120037/Article.aspxOne of leading retailers in the US, J. C. Penney Company recently announced that Thomas J. Engibous will become Chairman of its Board of Directors on January 28. He was named to the board in 1999 and has served in presiding director and lead independent director roles since 2008. He will assume the chairman's role from Myron E (Mike) Ullman, III, J. C. Penney's former Chief Executive Officer, who will step down as Executive Chairman.Ron Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of J. C. Penney, said, "Tom is deeply committed to the success of the company, shares our vision for the future and has been invaluable to me in my early days leading JCP.""On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mike Ullman for his years of exceptional service to J. C. Penney. The changes now underway would not have been possible without his accomplishments, including a strong succession planning process," said Mr Engibous.He added: "Important work is underway at J. C. Penney to transform the company by delivering a new level of innovation, creativity and excitement to customers."Mr Engibous is the retired chairman of Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI), one of the world's leading electronics companies. Joining TI in 1976, he served as its president and CEO from 1996 through 2004. In addition to J. C. Penney, Mr Engibous is a Director of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120005/Article.aspxCircular knitted fabrics manufacturer Fountain Set (Holdings) Ltd announced to have been accredited a "Green Medalist" award and a "3 Years + entrant" award in the Hang Seng-Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards 2010/11 for recognizing its successful completion of three or more environmental projects, as well as its participation in the activity for three consecutive years. The company's subsidiary Dongguan Shatin Lake Side Textiles Printing & Dyeing Co Ltd has been participating in the "One Factory-One Year-One Environmental Project Programme" since 2008. This programme was jointly organized and launched by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) and Hang Seng Bank.FHKI's "Hang Seng-Pearl River Delta Environmental Awards" was set up under the manufacturing category of the "One Factory-One Year-One Environmental Project Programme". It aims to encourage more manufacturing companies in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region to implement environmental practices and credit their excellence in environmental protection.This year the award presentation ceremony was held in the headquarters of Hang Seng Bank, Hong Kong, on January 10.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-120004/Article.aspxThe US-based polymer and fiber producer Invista Apparel recently announced the changes of its global organizational structure. To foster innovation and enhance service, the company's spandex business has created a new western region and eastern region to serve its global base of customers.As explained, the western region, led by Max Wiesendanger, merges the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa interests with those of North, Central and South America into a single business unit, whereas the eastern region, led by Dan Kotkin, will include both the South Asia and Asia Pacific markets. Each region will have responsibility for sales and customer value creation initiatives within their respective geographies.The company's spandex manufacturing assets, supply chain and commercial development initiatives will be managed globally under the direction of Wally McWalter. Don Burich, who previously led the Americas region, has comparable responsibility for its nylon business.To facilitate increased consumer and customer input in innovation, the company's marketing team will now be more closely integrated with the firm's global technology team, with both units led by Bob Kirkwood, who previously headed the research and development function and continues to be the company's Chief Technology Officer.Meanwhile, Serge Vigouroux, who previously headed the marketing function for the company, has assumed new responsibilities in business development and brand strategy."These organization changes will enable us to better align global resources with the textile market dynamics of each hemisphere, strengthen our innovation strategies, and intensify customer relationships in mutually productive ways," Dave Trerotola, President of Invista Apparel, commented.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-119989/Article.aspxJapanese Teijin Group announced that it is supplying its high-strength polyester nanofiber Nanofront for the use in running socks made by New Balance.The socks are being marketed by New Balance Japan and sold in its directly owned shops in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, as well as other sports retail stores nationwide from this month.Mostly used in socks, Nanofront is a high-strength polyester fiber with a thickness of just 700 nanometers, or 7,500 times thinner than a strand of hair. Nanofront's frictional force is said to create outstanding slip resistance to help prevent the sock from sliding inside a shoe, thereby reducing blisters and shoe sores. The nanofiber also boasts high absorbency for added comfort.As introduced, Teijin's proprietary "island-in-sea" composite spinning technology eliminates the problem of unstable quality associated with conventional mass-produced nanofibers. Nano-sized bumps on the surface of Nanofront raise frictional force and produce a surface area dozens of times greater than that of regular fiber, giving the material outstanding slip resistance. The ultra-fine fiber is also soft, stretchable and boasts excellent absorbency and opaqueness, said the company.Nanofront is also used in shoelaces made by New Balance Japan. Teijin Fibers started commercial production of Nanofront in 2008 and has been developing applications in areas such as innerwear, sportswear and industrial materials.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-119978/Article.aspxAccording to a recent press release of Testex, a Switzerland-based provider of proficiency tests for textiles and textile-related products, it has become the first provider to be accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) under the new ISO/IEC 17043:2010 standard (Conformity assessment - General requirements for proficiency testing).ISO/IEC 17043:2010 is a standard that specifies general requirements for the competence of providers of proficiency testing schemes and for the development and operation of proficiency testing schemes. These requirements are intended to be general for all types of proficiency testing schemes, and they can be used as a basis for specific technical requirements for particular fields of application.Testex's accreditation came on November 25, 2011 after an audit conducted last April. Accreditation number is SPTS 002 and its scope is defined in the official directory of accredited providers of round robin tests, in which the individual tests performed in four round robin tests for yarn, color fastness, fabric properties and function, are listed.Testex says laboratories accredited under ISO 17025 in particular benefit from this certification, since it confirms that they participate regularly in comparative tests. A further advantage is that it enables quality managers to place their results in a broad context.Furthermore, stressing that round robin tests with international participation are also becoming increasingly important with the advance of globalization, the Swiss company considers the accreditation as an important step with a view to maintaining confidence in the organization of round robin tests in future. Testex explains, "Textile laboratories at finishing and making-up plants, institutes, universities, dyestuff and auxiliaries manufacturers, machinery and apparatus manufacturers or department store chains test textile products with the instruments and equipment at their disposal. Whether these tests are carried out on intermediate or finished products is of secondary importance. Through its work, each testing laboratory can therefore have a direct or indirect influence on textile quality, especially to prevent damage claims and complaints. It is therefore important to ensure that the test results obtained are accurate and informative, in order to prevent incorrect conclusions."According to Testex, further arguments in favor of participation in round robin tests are: support for the in-house quality assurance system; confidence-building measures for in-house results; external information for determining measurement uncertainty; preventing damage claims and complaints; creating a basis for correctly establishing where one stands internally and externally; confidence-building measures in contacts with third parties (customers, suppliers); systematic production control; cost savings (no repeat tests); and reproducibility and comparability of the results.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-119945/Article.aspxLatest statistics reveal that during January to November 2011, China's textile machinery industry achieved a delivery value of exports of RMB6.59 billion (about US$1.04 billion), up by 15.70% year on year.Compared with the same period of 2010, this growth rate was a drop of 38.67 percentage points.During the same period, China's textile machinery industry reached RMB96.76 billion (about US$15.33 billion) in gross value of industrial output, a year-on-year growth of 27.95%, which decreased by 18.65 percentage points compared with the growth rate of the first 11 months of 2010.Meanwhile, during January to November 2011, the industry obtained RMB94.27 billion (about US$14.94 billion) in cumulative sales value, up by 28.25% year on year, a drop of 15.99 percentage points in growth rate compared with the same period of the previous year.Besides, the industry's proportion of products sold stood at 97.42% in the first 11 months of 2011, which was a slight growth compared with 97.35% in the same period of 2010.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-119941/Article.aspxAccording to a recent press release of the US-based Cotton Incorporated, Jay Hardwick was elected its Chairman at the joint Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated Board meeting in December, 2011.Mr Hardwick is a cotton producer based in Louisiana who has served as an officer in various US cotton-related organizations. He will succeed Rickey Bearden of Texas as Cotton Incorporated Chairman for a two-year term."Jay's experience as a cotton grower and as an officer in numerous cotton organizations gives him a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities for cotton at this point in the industry's history," said J. Berrye Worsham, President and CEO of Cotton Incorporated.Somerset Plantation, Mr Hardwick's farming operation in northeast Louisiana adjacent to the Mississippi River, has been producing cotton, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and wheat since 1981. He received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and earned a PhD from the University of New Mexico.Mr Hardwick's has held key positions in many farming and farm-governing organizations, including Vice President of the Louisiana Cotton Warehouse Association and of the Newellton Gin Company; Director of Tensas Warehouse, Tensas State Bank's Farm and Livestock Credit; the Tensas Concordia Soil and Water Conservation District; President of the Louisiana Cotton Producers Association; Secretary of the National Peanut Board; NCC Chairman; and Secretary of Cotton Incorporated.Funded by US growers of upland cotton and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, Cotton Incorporated is a research and marketing company representing upland cotton in the US.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-119909/Article.aspxThemed "Innovation and Breakthrough", the 12th China (Yiwu) International Exhibition on Hosiery, Knitting, Dyeing & Finishing Machinery (YIWU H&G 2011) concluded on November 25, 2011 with a total of 8,508 Chinese and international buyers coming to visit the show.Boasting an exhibition area of 9,000sq m, the three-day show showcased about 400 high-tech textile machines and technologies by 150 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions. And among the visitors, 6.2% were overseas buyers, say the show organizers.The show organizers add that Taiwan Hosiery Manufacturers' Association organized more than 30 delegates to attend the exhibition, while Xiangshan Knitting Industry Association and Gushan Underwear Industry Association also visited for the first time. For Hanning Hosiery Industry Association, Zhuji Hosiery Association and Pujiang County Knitting, Printing and Dyeing Industry Association, it was the third year for them to bring more than 100 members to visit and source at YIWU H&G.Other delegation tours and renowned enterprises who visited the fair included Zhuji Garment Industry Association, MengNa Hosiery, Langsha Group, Manzi Zhejiang Knitting, and Jiangsu AB Group.With 10 years' experience, YIWU H&G is a preferred displaying platform for hosiery, knitting, dyeing and finishing machinery. To meet buyers' demand for cutting-edge technology and machinery, a number of machinery makers made debut display of their advanced products, including HY-H2011LM Computerized Cutting Machine by Shanghai Yin; Electronic Jacquard Multi-functional Knitting Machine by Santoni; ZL201120001393.X and ZL201020650809.6 High Temperature Continuous Dyeing Machine for Ribbons, and Patent Model ZL201020140407.1 Elastic Strip & Normal Strip Rolling Machine by Dongguan Yinglong.The organizers note that among the 150 exhibitors, many of them have been supporting YIWU H&G for several years. Exhibitors such as Santoni (Italy), Chemtex (Hong Kong) Cixing (Ningbo), Runyuan (Changzhou), and Shanghai Yin were satisfied with the amount of turnover and buyers' enquiries made during the show.YIWU H&G 2011 was organized by China Commodities City Group Co Ltd and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd, co-organized by Yiwu China Commodities City Exhibition Co Ltd and Yiwu International Expo Center; and supported by China Chamber of International Commerce Yiwu Chamber of Commerce, Yiwu City Hosiery Industry Association, Yiwu City Braiding Industry Association, Yiwu City Seamless Knitting Association, Yiwu City Zipper Industry Association, Yiwu City Garment Industry Association, Yiwu City Glove Industry Association, as well as Pujiang County Knitting, Printing and Dyeing Industry Association.http://www.adsaleata.com/Publicity/MarketNews/lang-eng/article-119905/Article.aspx