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| Issue date:01/04/2010 |
| ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel - Apr 2010 Issue |
| Source:Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel |
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| Asia, with the largest population in the world, holds the key to the future of textile chemical industry, reports Michelle Phong |
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| Stain repellence and soil release on fabrics can be attained by Huntsman's Oleophobol CP-C |
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The textile chemical industry observed improved global demand since late 2009, primarily due to higher demand for apparel, home and specialty textile products in Asia. The dyeing, printing and cotton knit businesses in China and the woven segment in Sri Lanka experienced a market recovery, for instance, according to Huntsman Textile Effects (TE). More players in the global industry of dyes, chemicals and auxiliaries, such as Clariant and BASF, have also noted the growing importance of the Asian market for the business development.
Asia offers impetus for economic recovery
In a recent interview with ATA Journal this February, Paul Hulme, President of Huntsman TE said that positive signs indicating economic recovery were observed in the second half of 2009.
"Especially in China and India, we saw increased demand driven not by exports, but by the domestic economies that have continued to grow today. As we move on to 2010, textile exports in India and China will begin to pick up as the markets in the US and Europe begin to recover. India, China and the ASEAN will be supportive to our business," he said. 
Paul Hulme, President of Huntsman Textile Effects |
More importantly, he stressed the potential of Asia as a major market, citing the fact that Asia has the world's largest population, about four billion or 60% of the world's total. "The next decade or perhaps beyond truly belongs to Asia," he said.
Mr Hulme has his grounds. According to recent speculations, India will be the third largest economy in the world by 2012, overtaking Japan, behind only the USA and China. By 2020, India might grow faster than China (partly because India has a younger population). The textile sector is India's second largest employer and an important industry as it is in China.
In view of these trends, Huntsman TE moved its headquarters to Asia last year, where about half of the company sales turnover is originated. The rest of the sales were made in Europe (~25%), the United States (~20%) and elsewhere. Products targeting apparel applications offer 60% of revenue of the company, and the rest from applications of technical textiles. Mr Hulme said the company is known as one of the top players in the global technical textile arena, and a strong supplier of the technical textile segment in India.
Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant |
In addition to the ongoing businesses in Europe and North America, markets across Southeast and other areas of Asia are also important to Huntsman TE, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Leaders in the global business sector share a similar view with Mr Hulme.
At the Commonwealth Economic Forum held in Taiwan this January, Dr Tony Tan, Deputy Chairman and Executive Director at the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, predicted that the next decade could be a "golden age" for Asia, marking a major change in the post-global-economic-crisis world.
The emerging economies, anchored by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, could see their increasing importance in the future global economy.
Dr Tan explained that the rise of emerging markets is not a new trend, but over the next decade it is likely to observe the increasing influence of emerging markets in economic, financial, and geopolitical issues. "Asian economies are well-recognized as world-class producers and exporters. The Middle East and Latin America are important sources of commodities. This is expected to continue. Emerging economies are projected to account for more than half of the world's GDP growth over the next decade," he said.
Another textile chemical supplier, Clariant, also puts emphasis on the Asian market for its future corporate development.
Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant, explained that the company decided to shift in part the production capacity from Europe and North America to China years ago. The decision was made for two reasons. The shift was a response to the relocation of production by some of Clariant's customers. Major international apparel brands have their products manufactured in China. Second, the domestic demand of China is growing rapidly along with the country's fast-growing economy. Clariant thus would like to boost growths in this dynamic market.
Asia contributed to about a quarter of Clariant's global sales turnover of 8 billion CHF in 2008, and the Asia market is crucial to the company. The rest of the turnover were received in Europe (~45%) and North America (~30%).
In 2008-09, Clariant invested US$100 million in China. A new facility at Zhenjiang city of Jiangsu province launched in late 2009 is one of the company's investment projects in China, which supplies surfactant products for various industries including textiles.
Meanwhile, traditionally key markets remain important to Clariant. When reporting its 2009 annual results this February, Clariant stated that Asia - in particular China - and Latin America would continue to provide positive impulses for the world economy. However, these impulses were unlikely to be strong enough to significantly mitigate a flat or even negative development in Europe and the United States, the company stated.
Controlling cost to maintain bottom line
As the market environment looks mixed and the textile chemical industry players face intense competition, cost efficiency is critical to keep the business afloat.
For example, Clariant introduced its restructuring measures in 2009, including the "Global Asset Network Optimization" (GANO) project, to improve its cost position for a positive impact on the operating result. This February, it announced a further plan to transfer the textile dyes and the textile chemicals production from Muttenz, Switzerland, to locations in Asia under the GANO project. Implementation is scheduled to complete between 2011 and 2013. The GANO project involves more optimizing measures in other divisions within Clariant.
Mr Kottmann said: "During the year (2009), we have successfully focused on generating cash, decreasing costs and reducing complexity. In an economic environment that is still challenging, we will continue to focus on our restructuring efforts. The aim remains to achieve sustainable above-industry-average profitability by the end of 2010 and to create a solid platform for profitable growth in the years thereafter."
In addition to Clariant, other industry players have also adopted measures aimed to boost their operational efficiency.
Furthermore, the industry continued to experience consolidation. Early this February, Kiri Dyes & Chemicals Ltd (KDCL) from India took over the operations at DyStar Textilfarben GmbH and DyStar Textilfarben GmbH. The DyStar Group Holding company would be located in Singapore and keep on operating as an independent company in the market, it said. (More in "Company Bulletin" on page 74.)
Tighter standards and regulations help drive innovation
Aside of producing and selling more cost-effectively in Asia, chemical suppliers say innovation is a decisive factor in sustained business development. Huntsman TE, for instance, introduced 30 new products in 2009, including several of them involving brand-new chemistry with novel molecules. Among these innovations, green technologies are a focal point, Mr Hulme told ATA Journal.
Changes in environment are observed in key markets of China and India, where the authorities have increasingly enforced the related regulation and standard on companies (e.g. effluent disposal). Hence, Huntsman TE underscores the development of environmentally friendly and biodegradable solutions, helping users become compliant in their operations and reduce process costs.
In addition, BASF is also aware of stricter regulatory standards and growing public awareness toward greener textile processing. It thus offers innovative textile chemicals and solutions in various textile processing steps to ensure consumer safety, resource saving and climate protection, the company says.
BASF's greener solutions, such as formaldehyde-free Helizarin pigment printing system and Fixapret NF & Condensol N easy care finishing system ensure "zero add-on" of formaldehyde during production, it says. It also provides a range of eco-efficient solutions, featuring greener after-soaping agent for reactive-dyed cellulose fibers, pigment printing solution, freshness-enhancing finish for cellulose textiles and more.
Industry majors gather at exhibition in Shanghai
On mind issues that interest the global textile chemical industry, the 10th China International Dye Industry, Pigments and Textile Chemicals Exhibition (China Interdye) fair in Shanghai mid-April will be under spotlight as industry professionals gather updates on the latest chemical and related solutions to equip them for capturing market opportunities.
In an exhibition area of 20,000m2, over 420 exhibitors from around the world will present their product offerings, including BASF, Bozzetto, Clariant, DyStar, Huntsman, Lamberti, Tanatex Chemicals, Yorkshire, and more. Chinese suppliers such as Jihua, Longsheng, Runtu and Yabang will showcase their products, as well as those from India, South Korea and Taiwan, the organizers say. Delegations from Bangladesh, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam will attend the exhibition as visitors and buyers.
Some suppliers of chemicals and related equipment
Bozzetto provides engineered chemicals for synthetic fibers
Based in Italy, Bozzetto offers a variety of textile chemical products, including a range of chemicals for man-made fiber processing, as well as sizing agents that give protection to the yarn, avoiding breakage in order to achieve high weaving efficiency and overall higher quality production.
The company also markets chemicals that ensure removal of spin finishes, coning oils, waxes and sizes, resulting well dyed or printed textile goods. In the area of dyeing, Bozzetto's dyeing auxiliaries give an even, reproducible, low-cost and eco-friendly dyeing for different textile substrates, the company says. Further, various dyeing solutions are offered for customers working with special textile materials such as Nomex, Kevlar, bamboo fiber and soybean fiber, according to the company.
Dow Corning silicone additive helps resist flame
Dow Corning has developed and put into the market a number of products facilitating environmentally friendlier processing in the textile and apparel industry. A recent development is Dow Corning DS-9000 Eco Repel, an eco-friendly multifunctional encapsulated silicone additive for technical textiles. Jointly developed with Devan Chemicals, this technology allows apparel manufacturers to increase softness and hydrophobicity on existing flame-retardant finishes without impacting flame retardancy, the company says.
In addition, it offers advanced textile printing inks, which are durable, colorfast and suitable for tough-to-print, high-performance sports apparel. The premium hydrophilic softener, on the other hand, provides an environmentally sustainable solution to the textile finishing market and contains virtually no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to Dow Corning.
Dymatic Chemicals offers eco-friendly auxiliaries
Dymatic Chemicals, a Chinese manufacturer and developer of textile printing and dyeing auxiliaries, provides an assortment of products:
• Eco-friendly, energy-saving and highly efficient textile auxiliaries, e.g. enzymes, soaping agents without phosphorus, and acid soaping detergents.
• Products to add value on customer's textile products. For instance, waterborne polyurethane can prevent natural fibers from creasing and shrinking while giving synthetic fibers lasting antistatic and hygroscopic properties.
• Textile auxiliaries to solve problems during the manufacturing process.
• Innovative products, such as color media. Treated by specific color-media, fibers can be dyed with reactive dyes without salt and alkali. The dye utilization is improved to over 95%.
Huntsman presents eco-friendlier innovations
Stain repellence and soil release for fabric protection can be further enhanced with the launch of a new product, Oleophobol CP-C, specifically formulated for cotton, according to Huntsman Textile Effects (TE).
The new product, developed by the Huntsman TE and DuPont Alliance, is a new oil, water, and stain repellent finish for cotton fibers, synthetics fibers and their blends. Liquids bead up and roll off, and spills can be blotted up quickly with a clean, dry absorbent cloth.
Based on DuPont Capstone repellent and stain release technology, the Oleophobol CP-C products are based on short-chain chemistry, improve fluorine efficiency beyond the level expected for a typical short-chain product and provide a step-change reduction in trace impurities below the limit of detection, Huntsman TE says. Oleophobol CP products also ensures minimum environmental footprint because textiles need washing less frequently and dry more readily, the company adds.
Moreover, Huntsman TE launched Univadine DFM for polyester and its blends, providing enhanced migration and tone-in-tone build up properties, the company says. The diffusion accelerating effect offered by the new product helps reduce dyeing temperature and at the same time shortens the dyeing cycle. It improves dye yield, reaching the final tone quicker and small process variations do not negatively affect either the reproducibility or the required fastness. While ensuring a good level of reproducibility, it also helps save cost, time and energy, according to Huntsman TE.
Novacron NC, C and S reactive dyes provide pale, medium and deep shades and help optimize mill productivity and profitability. For wool and other fine animal fibers, Huntsman TE introduced a new Lanasol Blacks range of chrome-free dyes. Lanasol Black dyes are applied by a simple and robust dyeing process which ensures good reproducibility and shorter processing, making them more economical and sustainable than chrome dyes, the company says.
Lamberti launches water-based printing inks
Headquartered in Italy, Lamberti manufactures and markets specialty chemicals for a wide range of markets and applications. A recent development is a group of the LF water-based textile printing inks. These inks are formulated to obtain low formaldehyde emissions in accordance to the class 1 of Oeko-tex Standard 100. Lamberti LF inks feature characteristics such as formaldehyde emission on printed fabric lower than 16 ppm; soft handle; good printability; good opacity; and good fastnesses properties, the company says.
Matex offers varied reactive dyes
Listed in Singapore, Matex International Limited offers dyestuffs and specialty chemicals, colour measurement and computer-aided systems to multiple industries of textiles, leather and more. The Megafix Black Super dyes ensures cost-effective deep and ultra deep shades, which are normally attainable in sulfur dyes, according to Matex. It also supplies Megafix reactive dyes used with cellulosic fibres, and Megafix MS, a range of high tinctorial value reactive dyes with good inter-range compatibility, the company says.
Tanatex innovates for technical textiles processing
At the upcoming China Interdye exhibition this year, Tanatex Chemicals will present a number of new innovations to meet the market needs. One of the latest products is Eulan anti-insect treatment for outwear, tents and battle dress uniforms.
People are meandering more often in various regions around the world where insects form a major group of disease vectors. The risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, flies, ticks, lice and fleas is not only a nuisance, but also a potential health risk for soldiers and travelers. Garment treated with Eulan SPA 01 can help protect people from the bite of various insects. A certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100 product, Eulan SPA 01 is a pyrethroid from which it is known that the active ingredients are not toxic to most mammals. Combined with special binders like Baypret Nano-PU, the anti-insect treatment can be more durable against washing.
Further, the company provides solutions in the fields of coating, finishing and more. Edolan Breathable, for instance, is a product range of aqueous coatings for various performance textile applications. Products given this coating are "breathable" due to the ability to transport moisture vapour.
Enhanced color management systems from X-Rite
New fabric applications depend on satisfying a wide range of consumer attitudes, X-Rite says, adding that color is an essential component of the textile and apparel industry. The company provides a suite of color management systems that give the industry the ability to accurately establish and match color preferences, and the flexibility to ensure accuracy at each point in the manufacturing process.
At the upcoming China Interdye exhibition, X-Rite will present the Color i5 benchtop spectrophotometer, the SpectraLight III and more. It will also demonstrate the software solutions of Color iMatch color formulation and Color iQC Professional at the fairground.
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| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
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| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
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