TEXTILES

Winner Medical Group Inc a leading manufacturer of medical dressings, medical disposables and non woven fabric made from 100% natural PurCotton products in China, announced that it was honored to receive the Shenzhen Baoan District Quality Award from the Market Supervision Administration of Shenzhen Municipality.

Winner Medical was awarded the top honor from a field of over 30 applicants, having undergone a rigorous evaluation by an independent board of examiners.The Award recognizes Winner Medical's management team and quality, and affirms the Company is operating at a global management level and is able to compete with world-class organizations.

The Award further spurs Winner Medical to continuously improve its quality, management and overall performance to enhance its competitiveness.The Shenzhen Baoan District Quality Award is the District's highest honor for quality and organizational performance, excellence through innovation, improvement and visionary leadership.

The evaluation of the Award is based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria (or 'Baldrige Performance Excellence Program') in seven key categories: leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus, process management and results.

The Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence not only provides a systems perspective for understanding performance management, but most importantly, it offers excellent and integral tools to self-assess and compare with applicants' benchmarks to achieve sustainable development.

DENIM

Denim has gained much popularity that if you look around, you will surely notice somebody wearing denim in your nearby. Now, more than just complementing a rugged style, the denim has become suitable for any occasion. Denim is being worn irrespective of demographic differences.

The material denim is synonymous with familiar blue jeans and is denoted by a rugged twill textile that produces the familiar diagonal ribbing.

Today, there are around twenty Denim manufacturers in India alone catering to the domestic and export markets.

The manufacturing facilities are fast catching up at Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam. Denim today is now available in various shades of blue, black and brown within each there are different effects generated by washing.

As Denim is a competitive market product, there will always be pressure on price and quality. One can gain upper hand in pricing if their manufacturing cost is low. One of the ways of reducing the manufacturing cost is reducing the raw material cost, reducing the production losses and reducing the second's generation.

Quality Assurance in Denim mill can thus significantly help in achieving the above objectives. Academically, Quality Assurance may be defined as "the planned and systematic activities implemented in a system for fulfilling the quality requirements of a product or service."

The current paper highlights in brief various check points employed in Denim mill for arresting the non conformities so as to reduce the production losses and quality down gradations.

POLYSTER FIBRE

Outlast Technologies, leader in heat management and moisture reduction technology, announces the introduction of Outlast polyester fiber. After extensive research and development, Outlast has succeeded in creating the first-ever heat management polyester fibers extending the range of applications and markets in which the technology can be used.

The newest member of the Outlast fiber family is a bi-component fiber with a phase change material (PCM) core and polyester sheath. Other Outlast fibers include Outlast viscose and Outlast acrylic with PCM.

Staple fibers of the polyester will launch in the market first, followed by filament fiber.“Outlast is a leading R&D company in the PCM industry and the launch of Outlast polyester fiber demonstrates our commitment to innovation,” says Greg Roda, president and CEO of Outlast Technologies. “Outlast viscose and Outlast acrylic have seen great success and this new polyester fiber allows Outlast technology to infiltrate the functional apparel market, leading to company growth on a global level.”

Outlast polyester features the unique added value of heat management with the same characteristics of other polyester fibers: low moisture absorption, ability to transport moisture, improved wrinkle resistance, water and wind resistance as well as high tearing and abrasion resistance.

Outlast polyester is perfectly suited for functional apparel and other applications worn next to skin including t-shirts, socks, base layers, athletic wear and under wear all offering superior comfort..

DENIM

Denim has gained much popularity that if you look around, you will surely notice somebody wearing denim in your nearby. Now, more than just complementing a rugged style, the denim has become suitable for any occasion. Denim is being worn irrespective of demographic differences. The material denim is synonymous with familiar blue jeans and is denoted by a rugged twill textile that produces the familiar diagonal ribbing.

Today, there are around twenty Denim manufacturers in India alone catering to the domestic and export markets. The manufacturing facilities are fast catching up at Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam. Denim today is now available in various shades of blue, black and brown within each there are different effects generated by washing.

As Denim is a competitive market product, there will always be pressure on price and quality. One can gain upper hand in pricing if their manufacturing cost is low. One of the ways of reducing the manufacturing cost is reducing the raw material cost, reducing the production losses and reducing the second's generation.

Quality Assurance in Denim mill can thus significantly help in achieving the above objectives. Academically, Quality Assurance may be defined as "the planned and systematic activities implemented in a system for fulfilling the quality requirements of a product or service."

current paper highlights in brief various check points employed in Denim mill for arresting the non conformities so as to reduce the production losses and quality down gradations.

TEXTILES

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. announced that the Company, working in cooperation with leading laboratories, is synthesizing DNA sequences and genetic constructs for its second generation of advanced spider silk based polymers.

The artificial DNA constructs which the company is creating were specifically developed with the technical textiles market in mind."These new designer DNA sequences are being rolled out as a part of our plan to build on our recent success by creating new materials and new products," said Kraig's CEO Kim Thompson.

"These new genetic constructs are being created right now, for use in the production of a new class of high performance fibers. We are developing this next generation of genetically modified silk fibers specifically to capture a share of the technical textiles market. This is the primary market for high strength fibers and is currently estimated at $120 billion. We believe that these revolutionary materials will have tremendous potential in the technical textiles marketplace for high strength fibers.

""High strength designer fibers have the potential to satisfy the multi-billion dollar demand for new materials with tremendous strength-to-weight ratios," Thompson continued. "Based upon what we learned in the process of developing our first generation of revolutionary fibers, we believe that these second generation designer DNA sequences have the potential to significantly increase raw strength-to-weight ratios.

"Kraig Biocraft Laboratories recently announced its scientific and commercial breakthrough in producing genetically engineered (recombinant) spider silk in a scalable and cost effective platform. The biotechnology company is a leader in the development of genetic engineering technologies with applications for the global textile markets.

LATEST CROP RESEARCH

Those who took part in field tours traveled through 600 acres of land, including about 60 acres of cotton fields. They stopped along the way for informational presentations on research including irrigation and monitoring techniques, new varieties and planting dates, weed control and insect management, spokeswoman Ginger Rowsey said.

The event lasted from 8 a.m. to noon, with tours starting at 8:30 a.m. according to officials at the center, which is part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

Rowsey drove up the winding gravel road between 600 acres of land herself. Wilting, dark brown sunflowers line the right side of the road, and brown harvested corn leaves form the left side leading up to the cotton bolls. The gray and cloud-thick sky served as a backdrop for the agriculture institute's leading research, and the 600 acres of land as classroom space.

"It is an outdoor classroom really, and it allows farmers the chance to see up close and personally the different varieties, different planting dates, different weed and pest management techniques," Rowsey said.

The agriculture institute's farm is different from traditional farms because it is operated largely for educational purposes.

"Instead of just reading about it in a book or looking at it on the Internet, they can actually see it in person, so that's why we do this day," Rowsey said.

Experts showcased the new cotton varieties so farmers would be able to see which crops were doing best and how to increase profits on their farms, said Chris Main, extension cotton specialist for the University of Tennessee.

The most useful information has been row crop weed specialist Larry Steckel's seminar in controlling herbicide-resistant weeds because weed control is one of the biggest problems in farm maintenance, Main said.

Loyalty Lift Retail Sales

Apparel business has grown to become highly competitive, and retailers have to mull strategies. Having a competitive edge in the business world is vital. Rather than relaying on other tricks of trade, retailers prefer to establish a one-to-one relationship with their customers to improve their sales performance. With an intention to enhance their customer base significantly, retailers seek for Loyalty Programs to gain direct access to their customers. It enables them to identify, communicate, and market to the end users, and also maintain the distributor relationships at the same time.

As per a recent market survey, considering their buying attitudes, apparel shoppers can be classified into three main categories. Fashion forward customers, looking for latest style clothing, conservative customers who prefer a traditional look in their garments, and value driven consumers who give more preference to value and comfort comparatively over style. Fashion forward customers comprise of 16% of the population, while conservative customers make 34%, and the remaining 50% is of value driven customers. Of this, conservative consumers are more motivated by the loyalty programs, and store credit cards.

A survey states that 76% of the retailers, and 75% of the shoppers are engaged in one loyalty program. One third of the customers are involved in multiple loyalty programs. Shoppers stop claims that almost 60% of its sales are from loyalty members. Many kinds of loyalty programs are followed. As customers bought apparels, they earned points that can be redeemed as merchandise rewards, or travel. Points can also be accumulated to acquire a more valuable reward later on. Special promotions are also offered during days important to the consumer such as anniversary, birthday etc. A top-up discount based on the frequency of visits can also be offered.

Brands also need to foster the loyalty of their customers so as to retain them, especially during tough times. Notable brands such as Westside, Adidas, Levis, and Spencers Retail have managed to keep their customer base intact through their loyalty programs, delivering immediate value, preference and personal significance. Product launches planned intermittently, and innovative loyalty programs facilitated them to ride the tide during recession.

Loyalty programs help to create an emotional bonding, thereby resulting in a life long customer relationship. They have gained immense popularity in the past decade. This is mainly due to the culture of entitlement, wherein the customers believe that they deserve a special treatment over the normal visitors due to their frequency in visiting the retailer. Retailers have learnt to smartly capitalize this attitude of the customers through their creative thoughts. It might cost them a little, but brings forth goodwill, and ultimately resulting in the long term relationship with them. They are now a key to revenue growth of any business. Thus, it can be precisely called as a Loyalty craze.

GENIUS

Eco-friendly home fashion brand Portico Home & Spa is introducing its GENIUS collection of luxuriously soft and breathable sheets made with a unique 60/40 percent blend of organic cotton and TENCEL MICRO during the HFPA New York Home Fashions Market September 13-17 at its showroom at 230 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1910, in New York City.

Portico is one of the only companies to have introduced such products to the North American market.

This collection is available in fig, stone, earth, and cloud colors and is perfect for homes or hotels interested in being stylish as well as environmentally conscious. TENCEL, a fine cellulose-based fiber made in a closed loop processing system, is known for being soft, wrinkle resistant, absorbent, and durable.Buyers will also be visiting a separate Portico showroom at the United Feather & Down offices at 1071 Avenue of the Americas featuring Portico’s Essential Bedding collection of comforters, pillows, blankets, and mattress pads made with 100 percent organic cotton.

Portico Home & Spa launched its first bed (blankets, coverlets, decorative pillows, duvets, shams, and sheets), and bath ( bath robes, rugs, towels) collection of items made with organic cotton at the Fall 2009 HFPA show.

This resulted in highly successful sales in both the United States and Canada. Portico anticipates sales in over 500 doors, more than double the current number, in major retailers in both countries by the end of 2010.

Noted author and green living expert Summer Rayne Oakes consults on the lines and serves as the Portico brand ambassador.

Textile Recycling

These days the 'rag and bone' men are textile reclamation businesses, which collect textiles for reuse (often abroad), and send material to the 'wiping' and 'flocking' industry and fibres to be reclaimed to make new garments. Textiles made from both natural and man-made fibres can be recycled.

It is estimated that more than 1 million tons of textiles are thrown away every year, with most of this coming from household sources. Textiles make up about 3% by weight of a household bin. At least 50% of the textiles we throw away are recyclable, however, the proportion of textile wastes reused or recycled annually in the US is only around 20%.

Although the majority of textile waste originates from household sources, waste textiles also arise during yarn and fabric manufacture, garment-making processes and from the retail industry. These are termed post-industrial waste, as opposed to the post-consumer waste which goes to jumble sales and charity shops. Together they provide a vast potential for recovery and recycling.

Recovery and recycling provide both environmental and economic benefits. Textile recovery:
Reduces the need for landfill space. Textiles present particular problems in landfill as synthetic (man-made fibers) products will not decompose, while woolen garments do decompose and produce methane, which contributes to global warming.

Reduces pressure on virgin resources.
Aids the balance of payments as we import fewer materials for our needs.
Results in less pollution and energy savings, as fibers do not have to be transported from abroad.
Reclaiming fiber avoids many of the polluting and energy intensive processes needed to make textiles from virgin materials, including: -
Savings on energy consumption when processing, as items do not need to be re-dyed or scoured.
Less effluent, as unlike raw wool, it does not have to be thoroughly washed using large volumes of water.
Reduction of demand for dyes and fixing agents and the problems caused by their use and manufacture.

How, what and where of recycling textiles:
The majority of post-consumer textiles are currently collected by charities like The Salvation Army, Good Will and Chalk. Some charities, for example Good Will and The Salvation Army, sort collected material selling it on to merchants in the appropriate sectors.
Some postindustrial waste is recycled 'in-house', usually in the yarn and fabric manufacturing sector. The rest, aside from going to landfill or incineration, is sent to merchants.
Collection Method's:
At present the consumer has the option of putting textiles in 'clothes banks', taking them to charity shops or having them picked up for a donation drive.

The Salvation Army is the largest operator of textile banks in the US. On average, each of these banks is estimated to collect about six tons of textiles per year. Combined with door-to-door collections, The Salvation Army's textile recycling operations account for the processing of in excess of 17,000 tons of clothing a year. Clothes are given to the homeless, sold in charity shops or sold in developing countries in Africa, the Indian sub-continent and parts of Eastern Europe. Nearly 70% of items put into clothing banks are reused as clothes, and any un-wearable items are sold to merchants to be recycled and used as factory wiping cloths.

Take your used clothes to a textile bank. Contact the recycling officer in your local authority if there are no banks in your area and ask why; they may collect textiles through other means. Alternatively you can take used clothing to local charity shops.

Give old clothes/shoes/curtains/handbags etc. to jumble sales. Remember to tie shoes together: part of the 6% of textiles which is wastage for merchants are single shoes.

Buy second-hand clothes - you can often pick up unusual period pieces! If bought from a charity shop, it will also benefit a charity.

Buy things you are likely to wear a long time - a dedicated follower of fashion can also be a green one if items are chosen carefully.

Look for recycled content in the garments you buy. This should be on the label, though at present there is no conventional marking scheme and some companies do not always advertise the recycled content.

Buy cloth wipers instead of disposable paper products as the product can be used repeatedly.

INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

For a long time our Motherland India was under a foreign Government. She got back her freedom on the 15th August 1947. Since then every year we have been observing the 15th August as our Independence Day.

We should observe the independence Day to remember our great national struggle and our great victory. It is a holy and auspicious day for us. Besides, this day reminds us our duty and responsibility for our country. On this day, we review what we have done during the year past. We think what we should do during the year beginning. On this day, we take the solemn pledge to serve our mother country. Our Independence Day is great occasion for us.

This day is observed with much pomp and grandeur in the cities and towns. It is quite fittingly celebrate in our national capital. New Delhi and in all the State capitals. On this day, we see the police parade and the march past. People rally round the National Flags of India. Flag-hoisting forms an important part of this ceremony. The National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana..." is sung everywhere. Our President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Governors and State ministers publish their messages to the Nation. All the educational institutions and organizations observe this day with morning-procession and flag-hoisting. Sweets are distributed among the children. Every house and every office building is highly decorated on this day. In the evening, meetings are held all over the country to commemorate our great national leaders and workers who sacrificed their lives for freedom of India.

It is scared duty of every Indian young and old to observe the independence day of India. It is the day on which we should sincerely promise to be dutiful to our Motherland. Our Independence day is a great occasion for us.

Cotton rebound

He needs a jumbo card to list hats he wears out of North Valley Gin on the outskirts of Sutter, Calif.

Amarel keeps busy in the northern reaches of the

Cotton Belt:
• Managing the Valley’s lone cotton gin
• Farming 600 acres
• Overseeing the custom harvest of another 1,000 acres
• Helping many of the 20 Northern California cotton growers market their crops
• Negotiating planting seed contracts.

Doug Munier, University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Glen County, said Amarel also spends a lot of time teaching new growers the finer points of growing cotton.
“Mel does a good job for his growers. He understands cotton,” said Munier, who was a farm advisor in Kern County before moving north 15 years ago, taking with him years of cotton experience from the southern San Joaquin Valley.

There were just 1,000 acres harvested in 1995 when cotton returned to the Valley after a commercial absence of more than 70 years. It peaked at more than 22,000 in 2001. Many thought it had the potential to reach 100,000 acres or more in the northern Valley.

However, like the rest of the U.S. Cotton Belt, the fiber crop fell on hard times. Acreage began to decline, a casualty of low prices and competition from more profitable crops. It fell to its lowest level in the Sacramento Valley last year, when only 2,250 acres were planted.

And like the rest of the U.S., cotton has rebounded there this season, more than doubling last year’s acreage.

North Valley Gin is locally owned by Amarel and his partners. A larger gin once operated in the Valley.

When the acreage decline started, a trio of managers representing the larger gin took Amarel to lunch and offered to buy him out. He offered to buy them out. They responded they would run Amarel and North Valley out of business.

“I told them they wouldn’t drive me out of business. They said, ‘why?’ and I said because there are three of you doing what I do alone, and besides you are buying lunch,” he laughs.

The other gin closed three years ago.
There are almost 5,000 acres in Glenn, Colusa and Sutter counties this year. Amarel expects to gin 14,000 to 15,000 bales this fall. Yields may be off from last year’s 3.3 gin average, but he is confident his 20 growers can bring in a good crop. Many are seasoned cotton producers, dating back more than 15 years as north country cotton growers. Four are new cotton producers this year.

Modern day cotton in the Valley actually dates to 1976. That is when the late Buel Mouser, then the Chico State University farm manager and later school ag professor, started growing cotton on the school farm. When he retired, he wrote a research paper detailing what he had learned about growing cotton in the Sacramento Valley. His report sparked grower interest in cotton as an alternative crop. The first farmer crop was grown in the mid 1990s.

It was a rough start, primarily because of 2,4D drift issues from

rice to cotton. Cotton is very susceptible to 2,4D aerial drift and rice growers resented the introduction of the crop. A second concern was the feared spread of verticillium wilt from cotton to olives. Cotton is still banned from certain areas of the Valley because of that issue, even though olives and cotton have long co-existed side-by-side in the San Joaquin Valley, and research has shown cotton poses no threat to NorCal olives.

Survival of cotton in the Sacramento Valley is a surprise to many with such small acreage and one gin. “I am not really surprised cotton’s still here. It may be a little more difficult to grow than some other crops. The season is longer than other North Valley crops.

“However, the revenue has been there year after year. There have been ups and downs, but cotton has been fairly consistent through it all,” he says.

SJV Acalas and even Pimas have been tried in the north, but it has been uplands that have been consistent. “No one wants to pick cotton at Christmas time,” he laughs.

The 2010 rebound has come with 80-cent cotton and lucrative seed contracts Amarel has negotiated for his growers the past few years.

Spinning industry demands lift of duty, quota on yarn

Spinning industry owners met the government last week to ensure that, quota and duty imposed on yarn exports is lifted by July 26.

But the value-added textile sector wants the government to continue with the duty imposition on yarn, for another year.Crisis surrounding yarn has not yet been solved, despite several policy measures taken up by the Textile Ministry, to ensure yarn is available at reduced rates.Now, while the value-added textile segment complains about dearth in yarn clubbed with increased yarn prices, spinning industry owners are blaming the government of fraudulently playing with the open market economy and denying the spinners opportunities for export, via imposition of restrictions and duties on exports of yarn.

During a meeting of the value-added segment with the Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani and Textile Minister, Rana Farooq, they demanded that, the government continues with the imposition of duty on yarn. In addition, they have also demanded for a three years freeze on about Rs 300 billion debt of the value-added segment and a bailout package, just like the defunct industries received during the late 90s.

But, the certain associations did meet the Finance Minister to get an assurance that, the temporary restrictions and duties on exports of yarn, which expire on July 26, are not given an extension. But they did not receive any, as he refrained from giving any promises.Deliveries made in the month of June are at a much lower rate than the rates at which yarn is currently being supplied to the local industry. This is because, exports of yarn carried out in the last week of June, were made due to the Letters of Credits (LCs), which were opened prior to May 13, as shipments post it were held back for over a month by the government.

The current export price of yarn in the international market stands at Rs 127 a pound as compared to Rs 115 a pound, which was practiced in the domestic market.As per a spinner and knitwear exporter, the apparel segment was under tremendous stress over the last nine months, owing to contracts, which were inked at reduced prices. But the new deals are being inked at 20 percent higher prices.

Moreover, with the current rate of cotton at Rs 6,700 a maund, the cost of producing yarn has also surged to Rs 120 a pound.As of now, spinning industry owners are supplying yarn to the domestic industry at a rate of Rs 110-115 per pound, which has lead them to register a daily loss of Rs 300,000 – 500,000, in anticipation that things might change.

TEXTILE TALK BLOG

TEXTILE TALK BLOG

From fan pages to photo sharing, from podcasting to micro-blogging, anyone and everyone knows that social media is the way to overcome new challenges and remain in the know when it comes to your industry. One big challenge within the Apparel and Textile Industry in particular is the ability to find and network with new resources, suppliers, and innovators that can meet the needs of smaller to mid-size companies. The Fabric Stock Exchange's Textile Talk is the first and only comprehensive on-line community for people and businesses to network together, share information, and keep on top of trends.

Textile Talk offers a central location for industry professionals to read about the latest news and textile developments. The blog covers trends, design, technology and more. Additionally, the resource area of the blog offers a comprehensive dictionary of fibers, fabric types, and color names. Easy to use, Textile Talk is a great way to stay connected and up-to-date. There are also links to industry related products - all available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Alice Wu, co-founder, designer and partner of the womenswear line Feral Childe is already very excited about Textile Talk. "What a great resource! I like the personal style of writing and have already made use of and found the resource and links pages to be very valuable. I look forward to more articles and will definitely be a frequent visitor to the site." She adds " The Textile Talk blog offers me a perspective from people who know and love textiles (and the business of it all!). There are consumer fashion websites, and there are websites for designers such as PatternPeople that focus on prints, or purely business but I think Textile Talk offers a unique B2B angle that is again, personal yet industry oriented."

Apparel, automotive, hospitality, outdoor and eco and sustainable fabrics are all included in the topics to be discussed. More than just the voice of the Fabric Stock Exchange, this blog allows readers to become guest editors and share their own insight and opinions by submitting their posts themselves; whether it's a written article or simply an image or video.

According to owner and industry expert, Sheryl Sapriel, "The Fabric Stock Exchange's Textile Talk is a visually exciting and interesting blog about fabric that is informative, educational and fun." Blog Updates will also be posted on the company's Facebook, Twitter and Linked-In pages.

About The Fabric Stock Exchange

The Fabric Stock Exchange is a fabric brokering service for small manufacturers, fashion designers, retail fabric stores, fabric converters, importers and fabric jobbers. The company specializes in selling first quality, off-price, immediately available fabrics at BELOW WHOLESALE prices. The Fabric Stock Exchange has been successfully bringing buyers and sellers together for over 30 years.

The Fabric Stock Exchange sells all types of fabrics - natural, natural blends and synthetics in both knits and wovens. Most of the fabrics sold are from the excess inventories of Seventh Avenue Designers, Broadway manufacturers, overseas apparel factories, fabric mills, converters, and importers. The Fabric Stock Exchange represents companies worldwide. All of the fabrics offered are from top mills here and abroad.

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

On the surface, those garment workers who were not laid off as a result of the economic downturn should be considered lucky. But new data from an ILOled survey shows that even those who kept their jobs were not left unscathed – many have had their salaries significantly reduced and now struggle to cover basic living costs.

The study, which assessed 1200 employed and 800 unemployed Phnom Penh-based garment workers, seeks to better understand the hardships workers are facing as a result of the economic slowdown, as well as their coping mechanisms and job-seeking strategies when they are retrenched. Preliminary information was gathered between September and December 2009, and follow up interviews will be conducted at three- and six-month intervals. A full study will be completed during the third quarter of 2010.

The results of the preliminary survey show that employed workers face a range of new hardships, most importantly reduced income in 2009 compared to 2008. Workers now feel they do not have enough money to cover remittances and basic needs such as food, healthcare, and transport. Some employed workers who were retrenched and have since found new jobs are working under less favourable conditions. Many surveyed have sought assistance from trade unions to deal with challenges such as asking for leave and late wage payments.

Most unemployed workers surveyed lost their jobs during factory closures or cutbacks due to reduced orders. One in ten unemployed workers were retrenched two or more times in 2009. While a small percentage of those retrenched have since found new jobs, at the time of the survey, the majority were still looking for work. The survey also found that laid off workers most commonly look for jobs in other garment factories, although only one in three succeed in finding work.

Those who look for work outside the garment sector typically look to the service sector for work as salespeople, tailors, food vendors or tuk-tuk drivers. Very few enrol in training programs, even though many would like to. The families of some workers – both employed and unemployed – have sent additional family members to find work to help cope with reductions in income, mostly female siblings between 16-28 years of age.

Significantly, three quarters of unemployed workers said they would return to their home villages if they could not find work within six weeks.

POLICIES IN TEXTILE SECTOR

POLICIES IN TEXTILE SECTOR

Ethiopian Investment Agency (EIA)’s Agency Director, Abi Woldemeskel, while laying down the agency’s performance report before the Trade and Industry Affairs Standing Committee in the House of Peoples' Representatives’, stated that, during last five years, the agency has given out over 11,000 investment licences to local and overseas investors, whose aggregated funding came to 423 billion Birr.

He divulged that 295 billion Birr of the aggregated capital, has flowed from 6,255 foreign investment projects.According to him, employment opportunities have been generated for over 130,000 citizens, from the projects which have entered the production phase and added that, as all the projects go fully functional, over two million other jobs will be created.

As the industry development strategy primarily concentrates on the textile and clothing, leather and leather products, this has lead to encouraging project implementation in these areas and 3,247 investment projects were ready for launch as there was satisfactory infrastructural development in accordance with the schemes, he said.

Green Campaign To Set Very High Standard

Maderia USA launches Shades of Green Campaign. Embroidery thread and supplies distributor Madeira USA has launched a year-long campaign to keep embroiderers aware of its commitment to the environment.

“As an industry leader,” explains company president Hajo Voeller, “we are very aware of the example we set, beginning at the manufacturing level in Germany, to the way we conduct business at our 11 locations, through to the practices we use to deliver our goods to the end user.”Beyond the company’s sound eco-friendly practices at the point of manufacturing, Madeira USA is committed to taking every step it can to assure the company is leading the way in re-using, re-cycling, re-thinking and reducing waste.

Believing that even small things can make a difference, the company practices shutting off lights in rooms that are unoccupied, re-using shipping cartons, transitioning over to energy efficient light bulbs, to name a few. Further, Madeira encourages embroiderers to properly dispose of empty spool and cone cores. Having researched the laws in the 11 parts of the U.S. where Madeira is located, Madeira encourages recycling the plastic cores wherever possible, and advises its customers to log onto www.Earth911.com to learn where, in each customer’s own area, the plastic cores will be accepted for re-cycling.

A collectible, commemorative spool shade kit has been designed for the campaign, offering customers a plastic case with 12 spools in shades of a designated color. The spools are 40 weight and are available in Classic Rayon or 100% polyester Polyneon.

Beginning with green, then brown, each month through the rest of the year will see the availability of a new kit with 12 color shades.

HUNTSMAN TEXTILES

ALBAFLOW UNI-01 is a newly developed, highly efficient, silicon and mineral oil free penetration accelerant, versatile in application for dyeing natural and synthetic fibers. It excels with outstanding wetting, de-foaming and de-aerating performance. This all in one agent’s main strength lies mainly in its excellence in supporting dye-bath penetration.

Numerous other characteristics bring a whole host of benefits to the dyeing process. Being silicon oil free there is no risk of spotting on the fabric or residue on the machinery, both of which can be costly for the dyer. Foamless processing is yet another added value ALBAFLOW UNI-01 contribution. Its efficacy lies in inhibiting foaming which would normally develop and negatively impact liquor and goods circulation thereby causing tangles and spots.

In summary, ALBAFLOW UNI-01, the penetration accelerant, is every dyer’s dream come true. Its versatility, outstanding penetration properties and ease of use make for right first time dyeing every time.

Electronic Textiles

Electronic Textiles

Can you believe this that a fabric you are wearing can monitor your healths, guard you in case of any danger, measure the chemical mixture of your body fluids and do many more such things. But of course it is possible in today's world of technology. Here we are taking about none other than the electronic textile, which is the commendable invention in the category of smart textile.

textile is used in numerous industries and purposes that are useful not only for human beings but for the entire living beings on the Earth. Electronic textiles or more often called e textiles are the textiles that have electronics and interconnections. These electronics are woven into the fabric to make e textile wearable. With advancement in this sector you can get from very simple computing devices to large and complex sensing and protective textiles. Definition of Electronic Textile by E-Textile Research Group

Electronic textiles (e-textiles) are fabrics that have electronics and interconnections woven into them, with physical flexibility and size that cannot be achieved with existing electronic manufacturing techniques. Components and interconnections are intrinsic to the fabric and thus are less visible and not susceptible to becoming tangled together or snagged by the surroundings. An e-textile can be worn in everyday situations where currently available wearable computers would hinder the user. E-textiles can also more easily adapt to changes in the computational and sensing requirements of an application, a useful feature for power management and context awareness.

Advancements in Electronic Textiles
Scientist have developed the wireless key board fabric called ' Eleck Tex' a form of e textile. This is the patented accomplishment of Eleksen. This electronic textile is just 0.6 mm thick and used in handheld PCs, personal digital assistants and smart phones. This cloth is light in weight, wearable and washable. Another efficient e-textile has been developed by Virginia Tech (VT) researchers. This electronic textile can observe your movements that include walking, running, sitting or standing. The e-textile is called Hokie Suit and has the capability of detecting any change in the direction and speed of motion of a person as it has interwoven wires and sensors. To wash this fabric just remove the sensors and wash it with wires. The data collected by sensors can then be transferred to computers to monitor your health during movements. Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles (SFIT) has a dedicated team and many projects related to smart fabrics. These include Biotex (Bio-Sensing Textiles to Support Health Management), PROETEX (Protection e-Textiles: MicroNanostructured fibre systems for Emergency-Disaster Wear), OFSETH (Optical Fibre Sensors Embedded into technical Textile for Healthcare). Under the OFSETH project the optical fibers are used that can use light both as carrier and sensor. By this the oxygen content of the blood can be measured. This smart fabric can be wore around the neck.

E-textile has large application in narrow fabric industry. Electronic textile webbings are used extensively to transfer data, power and as input device. This e textile has been developed by Foster Miller Inc in combination with Chester.

So e-textiles or electronic textiles are indeed a bless as this technologically advanced fabric is used and potential of being used in medical and safety industry.

Nano Technology

Nano Technology

The recent emergence of nanotechnology in the marketplace has raised global concerns among scientists, researchers, regulatory agencies, consumers and the general public, regarding its safety. It is expected that nanotechnology will have a major impact on medicine and health care; energy production and conservation; environmental cleanup and protection; electronics, computers, and sensors; and world security and defense. Hence the justification and need for appropriate controls and standards to be adopted and implemented to protect the public's health.

Nanotechnology is the creation and use of particles one billionth of a meter for the manufacture of materials, products and devices. The term Nano in Nanotechnology comes from a Greek word "Nanos" which means 'dwarf'. The dictionary meaning of dwarf is abnormally small.

The benefits to science and society from Nanotechnology are substantial. If the criterion is to produce very minute particle size fibers and materials the nano technology is the only way to achieve the same.This paper elucidates about the nano finishing in textile. Techno-science recently introduced some nano finishes for textile substrate has been reviewed here. The logic of using low molecular weight fiber-reactive fluorocarbons that from the basics of Nano-Care finish durable hydrophobic characteristic to fabrics. And mechanisms proposed to explain the photo-catalytic self-cleaning effect of TiO2 have been developed.

Waterproof Breathable Fabrics

Waterproof Breathable Fabrics

Waterproof textile which breaths may be defined as intelligent waterproof fabric, which is permeable to water vapour i.e. perspiration at a rate of 2000-2500 g/m2/day for light applications and 4000-5000 g/m2/day for heavy applications. By 1998 it was common to see claims of 10000 g/m2/day.

Waterproof fabric completely prevents the penetration and absorption of liquid water in, in contrast to water-repellent fabric, which only delays the penetration of water.

Traditionally, fabric was made waterproof by coating it with a continuous layer of impervious flexible material. The first coating materials used were animal fat, wax and hardened vegetable oils. Nowadays synthetic polymers such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyurethane are used.

Conventional polymers coatings are considered to be more uncomfortable to wear than water-repellent fabric, as they are relatively stiff and do not allow the escape of perspiration vapour. Consequently they are now used for emergency rainwear.

Water-repellent fabric is more comfortable to wear but its water-resistant properties are short lived.

Velvet

Velvet

Velvet is a flattering fabric that absorbs light into its deep and rich hues. The smooth texture and sheen of the fabric makes it an undoubted choice of the royal class. A very expensive fabric among the luxury goods, this fabric has been pampered in many countries throughout the centuries. Though it is generally believed that velvet owes its origin to ancient Kashmir, controversies exist regarding the origin, and existence of the fabric. Archeologists observe proof of ancient Egyptians using a fabric which has techniques similar to the production of velvet.

Velvet is made from different kinds of fibres. This fabric is woven on a specialized loom, cut, and then sheared to create a lavish finishing. The fabric is woven on a special loom which weaves two pieces at the same time. They are then cut, and two lengths of fabric are wound on separate rolls. One of the most expensive, and lavish fabric, velvet is made in a variety of types from crushed type to common upholstery. It can also be blended with various other fibres to produce appealing fabrics. The magic hues produced by dyeing the fabric make velvet infamous with nobility. From the mysterious black, to the showstopper red, and purple, alluring shades are produced by dyeing the fabric precisely.

During earlier period, making rich fabrics such as velvet was rare as fabrics were mostly made of cheap fibres using simple flat woven technique. So, the richness of the material and weaving techniques of velvet made it an exclusive fabric. With the passage of time, new methods overtook conventional techniques, and new materials and processes were used in fabric making.
Velvet Home Furnishings:

The durability and richness of velvet fabrics make it an ideal choice for home furnishings. Sumptuous beddings, draperies, cushions, and upholstery are made from cotton velvet. These fabrics give a ravishing look for upholsteries improving the ambience of the room Rustic home furnishings such as drapes, table cloth, window curtains, furniture covers, lampshades, wall accessories, bed spreads, cushion covers, and many more are made from velvet fabrics.

Pageant Of Velvet Apparels:

Velvet is traditionally regarded as a fall fabric. But, in the current trend, these fabrics are no longer related with winter season alone. Various apparels in velvet are dominating the fashion apparel segment. A velvet blazer with a pair of matching jeans will enhance the velvet repertoire of the wearer. Skirts, pants, shawls, capes, blouses, and many other outfits are seen in the market. Apart from costume, fashion accessories such as purses, shoes, scarves, hats, and gloves in velvet add glamour to any outfit. Leggings in velvet such as stretch stirrups will give a stylish appearance and also keep the legs warm.

Designers have revitalized the fabric with glossy colors, graphic splicing, and pretty burn-out effects. Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, and Proenza Schouler provide the apt inspirations for lustrous cocktail dresses. Blends of silk and rayon with velvet fibres is used for making flowing dresses emphasizing its soft drape.

Velvet fabrics are admired timelessly. A fabric that was once associated with royalty and reserved only for the elite classes is now available for the common masses at affordable prices due to modern manufacturing methods. With unmistakable luster and beauty, velvet fabrics have earned a place in the textile segment as one of the finest and beautiful fabrics for both the royal and common classes.

Denim

Denim

Be it a man or woman, young or aged, denim is a favorite apparel for everyone. Denim is an integral part of every one's wardrobe. The underlying fact behind every fashionable denim is that is plays a fatal role in causing environmental pollution. A recent report states that, one pair of jeans consumes around 3,480 liters of water and 32 kilograms of carbon dioxide during the course of its lifecycle. 15-20 chemicals are involved in the manufacturing process of one single jean. More than its manufacturing process, much environmental impact is caused by the consumption of water and energy during the laundering of jeans at homes.

Today most manufacturers focus on reducing wastages, minimizing energy utilization, and eliminating toxic materials from their manufacturing process. Eco denim is the new generation for denim apparels. These are made from 100% organic cotton, spinning dyeing and finishing. In the processing of these apparels only natural products are used. Potato starch is used in place of other chemical substances. Even for its trims recycled buttons, zippers and other materials are used. For the dyeing part natural indigo is used for blue colors.

Market for Eco denims:
Market for eco denim is more consumers driven. Therefore, communicating with the consumers is a more factor while marketing for these apparels. Most of the consumers are not fully aware of the virtues of buying eco denims. So, unaware of its intrinsic worth, they move in for buying some other outfits. The apparel should also include a small description about its organic nature, and its benefits to mankind.

International brands such as Kuyichi, Levi's, Serfontaine, Arne & Carlos, Linda Loudermilk, and Loomstate offer renowned eco denims. Global demand for denim is estimated to increase by 5% on an average. With the increasing concern of environmentally friendly lifestyle, there is a potential market for eco denims. Normally eco denim falls under the category of premium denim class.The consumers, who are unable to go for expensive eco denims go for other alternatives.

Fashion Focused denims:
Fashion and quality are equally important. While the consumer is well aware about the threats if global warming, and would prefer to embrace eco friendly products, fashion is also considered as an important aspect while shopping for clothes. As people examine how green is their own lifestyle, it also influences their shopping for apparels. While eco denims have their own virtues, fashion is a matter that becomes a prime consideration for shoppers especially those who prefer denim apparels.

Ecological lifestyle is the art of living according to ones dreams while minimizing the impact on the environment. Eco fashion is all in rage now. So are you ready to get into a pair of eco denims?

TECHNICAL TEXTILES

TECHNICAL TEXTILES

Technical textiles are high performance textiles that require special functionality. The market of technical textiles is significant and expanding as the products are being put to an ever-increasing number of end uses in various industries such as agriculture, clothing, construction, health care, transportation, packaging, sports, environmental protection, protective wear and many more although technical textiles have attracted considerable attention, the use of fibers, yarns and fabrics for applications other than clothing and furnishing is not new phenomenon. What is relatively new is a growing recognition of the economic and strategic potential of such textiles to the fiber and fabric manufacturing and processing industries. In some of the most developed markets technical products already account for as much as 50 % of all textile manufacturing activity and output.

The technical textiles supply chain is a long and complex one stretching from the manufacturers of polymers for technical fibers, coating and specialty membranes, through the converters and fabricators who incorporate technical textiles into finished products and use them as an essential part of their industrial operations.

There are no easy paths to success since manufacturers still face the challenge of making economic returns commensurate with the risks involved in operating new and complex market. There is constant need to develop fresh products and applications, invest in new processes and equipments and market to an increasingly diverse range of customers. There is continual erosion of the barriers between traditional definition of textiles and technical textiles.

An appreciation of the development and potential of technical textile markets therefore starts with some clarification of the evolving terminology and definitions of the scope of the industry and markets.

COLOUR FORECASTING IN TEXTILES

COLOUR FORECASTING IN TEXTILES

The colour forecasting process is one of great complexity and very much an intuitive one. As yet, little information exists about its methodology, even though the process is considered to be a major driving force of the fashion and textile industry.

Colour forecasting is a fundamental part of a collective process known as fashion forecasting or trend prediction,where individuals or teams attempt to accurately forecast the colours, fabrics and styles of fashionable garments and accessories that consumers will purchase in the near future,approximately two years ahead.

The process of colour forecasting is basically one of collecting, evaluating, analysing and interpreting data to anticipate a range of colours desirable by the consumer, using a strong element of intuition, inspiration and creativity.

A dichotomy exists around opinions as to whether or not the forecaster predicts trends or merely creates them. Either way, a process has evolved over a period of time which has, in more recent decades, become increasingly complex. So much so that the secondary resource material readily available to the fashion student rarely offers more than a brief outline of the concept, the tools and the basic methodology involved in the colour and fashion forecasting process.

The process of colour and fashion forecasting has become a more integral part of the roles of many within the industry.Designers, range developers, sourcing personnel, buyers and merchandisers and especially those who specialise in trend prediction for the purpose of selling their prediction packages to the industry all use the current forecasting system. It is becoming increasingly important to clarify this process, both for those currently using the system and for the newcomer to forecasting, in order to improve forecasting.

While fashion forecasting incorporates all aspects of the design of garments and accessories, colour is a significant factor for the consumer when making a purchasing decision.
It is therefore considered that the colour forecasting process is a worthwhile subject to be investigated and further understood in its own right.

Colour forecasting is a specialist sector activity. This specialist sector is a service that makes use of the colour forecasting process. The information is compiled into trend prediction packages and sold to the fashion and textile industry.

Cotton winner

Cotton winner

“Cotton producers have faced serious challenges in recent years,” said Greg Frey, vice president of the Agricultural Group of Penton Media Inc., the parent company of the Delta, Southeast, Southwest and Western Farm Presses. “Prices, weather and international trade policy have all made growing cotton profitably increasingly difficult.

“The 2010 winners are a testament to the hard work and the environmental ethic of U.S. cotton producers and their determination that the U.S. cotton industry survive and flourish.”
Farm Press began the awards in 1995 to honor growers who were growing profitable, quality cotton and to showcase the good things they were doing in the areas of conservation and environmental stewardship.

This year’s awards are co-sponsored by All-Tex Seed, Americot, Arysta LifeScience, Delta & Pine Land, Greenleaf Technologies, Helena Chemical Co., John Deere, Syngenta and U.S. Borax, Inc.
Griffin, a former nuclear electrician at a Norfolk, Va., shipyard, took a circuitous route to becoming a cotton producer.
He entered an apprenticeship program at the shipyard soon after graduating from high school and worked there for 20 years, rising to senior nuclear manager. But he says he never lost his passion for agriculture.
Often, after working 12-hour shifts at the shipyard, he came straight to the farm to help his father. He also began acquiring and renting land to start his own farm.

While he considers himself a cotton farmer – his e-mail address is cottonpickr – Griffin is a strong believer in rotating cotton with corn, soybean and wheat.
“We have tinkered with and demonstrated we can have a short-term continuous cotton rotation and make it profitable. We haven’t created an ill-effect on the land, and we replenish everything we take from the soil,” he says. “Still, grain crops are important to us from an economic standpoint and important as crop rotation options.

“On some of our land, we go one year corn and two years cotton. On different soil types, we can go with wheat and double crop soybeans followed by cotton. None of our cotton land stays out of cotton for more than one year.”
He uses a precision fertility program that not only saves money, but also fits in well with Griffin’s strict adherence to good soil stewardship. “Putting on no more chemicals and fertilizers than is needed by the crops for top production just makes good economic and environmental sense.”
Allen Pierucci is also a third-generation farmer in the Buttonwillow area of California’s San Joaquin Valley and one who is proud to call himself a cotton producer. “I was destined to be a farmer — a cotton farmer,” Allen says. “There is something about getting up in the morning smelling picker grease. I also just like the smell of cotton.”

Cotton farmer numbers have been dwindling in the San Joaquin Valley where acreage has fallen from more than 1 million acres 12 years ago to less than 200,000 this season due to a three-year drought, more economically attractive competing crops to use available water, and the growth of permanent crops like orchards and vineyards.
But some believe cotton is poised for a comeback next season, particularly because of the approval of Roundup Ready Pima cotton for the 2010 growing season. It could reach 400,000 acres in 2010 as cotton prices firm up and alternatives to cotton fade economically.
Like most farmers, Pierucci faces the yearly challenges of rising costs. He has embraced technology to keep his costs in check. “We used to cultivate at least two to three times for morningglory and bindweed alone. With the Roundup-resistant technology, we cultivate once and spray for weeds,” he said.
Pierucci has joined the ranks of precision ag producers utilizing GPS tractor guidance systems and field mapping. He uses AutoFarm for furrowing out, disking and ripping. “Auto guidance systems are much more efficient and they save time and fuel. When it is foggy, you do not have people standing around waiting for the fog to lift before going into the field.

Like all California producers, Pierucci is diversified. He also grows alfalfa, wheat and last year onions for the dehydrator. In addition, he recently planted a 72-acre pomegranate orchard.
“Last year (2008) alfalfa was fantastic. I did not sell anything for less than $210 per ton,” he said. Prices collapsed under the weight of the worldwide recession and the dramatic economic downturn in the dairy industry. “I have been waiting for one ‘check’s in the mail’ for seven weeks. No one is returning phone calls.
Allen loves to talk about farming. For several years he has hosted teachers on his farm to educate them about California agriculture.

The walls of Julian Pierucci and Sons office are adorned with pictures of his family on the farm. There is a movie poster on the wall as well. It is for the 1965 flick, “The Man from Button Willow,” which helped put the town on the map.
Pierucci wants to keep it on the map as more than a feed and fuel stop on the Interstate. He also wants it to live up to its reputation proclaimed on the sign on the town’s main street — Buttonwillow: Heart of Cotton Country.

Jeff Posey, High Cotton winner for the Southwest, said his leaving the land better than they found it has always been a priority for the three generations of his family who are currently involved in farming.
“We’re always looking for what works best and what’s best for the environment,” Posey said. “We’re spraying less pesticide than we used to. And we’re using cover crops where we can. I hate to see sand blow. We keep as much cover on the ground as possible, but we still may cultivate some to fight sand in the spring.”

Reduced tillage, he said, helps conserve soil and water and improves efficiency. “We can get over fields in less time. Drip irrigated fields and one pivot field have not had a plow in them since we installed the systems.”
In addition to conservation tillage, the Poseys are doing all they can to conserve water with subsurface drip irrigation on 600 acres and low energy precision application systems on their other irrigated acreage. They use the best technology available, including GPS and transgenic varieties, to reduce pesticide and energy use and were early proponents of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program.
Mid-South High Cotton winner Jimmy Hargett has done his part to try to help restore profitability to cotton, providing the inspiration if not the original concept for the module building cotton picker that was later launched by Case IH. But Hargett has also put a lot of effort into preventing soil erosion and improving water quality by using reduced tillage farming practices on the 1,700 acres of cotton, soybean, corn and milo he farms in the rolling hills of west Tennessee.

Hargett’s conversion to no-till cotton did not come easy. “Every acre I used to work, I used a moldboard plow. I thought you had to break ground 10 inches deep to make a cotton crop,” he said in an interview.
The resulting gullies were so deep “you had to have a tractor out there to fill the ditches in so you could cross them with a cotton picker. I was the hardheadedest person in the world about no-till. I always said, ‘no till, no yield.’ But I found out the hard way that in west Tennessee, it’s by far a whole lot better.”

Today, the farm’s soils are protected by terraces, diversions, grass waterways, buffer strips and silt basins, all built by Hargett during his 47 years of farming. Hargett remains optimistic that the cotton industry will continue to flourish, even as it faces some of its biggest challenges. “I think we’ll find a way to keep growing cotton in this country. If we lose the cotton industry, how many people does that affect from seed to shirt.