Bangladesh has set up guidelines for local producers with minimum requirements for production of non-medical fabric masks for community use with expertise of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The guidelines, incorporating specifications and quality control parameters, have already been provided to local manufacturers and non-governmental organisations.The standards have been developed in coordination with Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) with support from several other global

HERZOGENAURACH - Sportswear brand Adidas has redesigned some of its most iconic trainers for a new range, which it calls Clean Classics, designed to reduce the company's impact on the environment.The vegan trainers aim to minimalise plastic waste by using 70 per cent recycled materials for the uppers, as well as renewable and reclaimed rubber for the soles.Clean Classics makes use of Adidas's Primegreen performance fabric, which contains a minimum of 50 per cent recycled content, while a

During World Water Week 2020, many major companies, brands, associations and water stewardship organizations publish Open Letter for sustainability COVID-19 recovery.The fashion, apparel and textile sector has seen unprecedented disruption to its operations and supply chains. In this situation, thousands of factories and stores have closed and many are now reopening, but millions of workers remain in a precarious position.Figure: As the fashion industry starts to improve it must chart a new cour

A nanotech-coating on textiles that can deactivate coronavirus within five minutes of contact has been developed by Muse Nanobots, a subsidiary of Muse Wearables founded by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras alumni and supported by its incubation cell. The textiles offers enhanced protection to travelers, frontline healthcare, hospital, hotel and restaurant workers, the company claims.The technology start-up conducted a study with the US-based Situ Biosciences, an independent produc

ZURICH – Swiss certifications authority Oeko-Tex says that despite the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, it was able to increase the number of certificates and labels it’s issued in the past financial year by 13 per cent.In total, the organisation issued 24,205 certificates or labels, of which the Made in Green by Oeko-Tex label surged in popularity to account for more than 2,800, an increase of 115 per cent.Source:Eco Textile

Bangladesh’s economic backbone – its readymade garment (RMG) export has bounced back again in August. Between August 1 to 30 this year, Bangladesh’s apparel export shipments totaled US$3.23 billion, up from US$2.23 billion during the same period in 2019. With about 45% year-on-year growth, according to Bangladesh Customs’ data, collected by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).Figure:Between August 1 to 30 this year, Bangladesh’s apparel export shipments totaled

As global fashion brands look at alternatives to China for their sourcing needs, they have started placing more orders with Indian companies, especially with textile manufactures in Tamil Nadu. To make the most of the opportunity, apparel manufacturers are expecting government support, and are also exploring joint ventures with Korean and Taiwanese firms.Pic: ShutterstockTiruppur-based Warsaw International has received an order for supply of some jerseys to a German leisure wear brand. Warsaw

Singaporean arm of Fraser Property Retail is all set to launch an e-commerce marketplace named Fraser eStore that will allow shoppers to browse and purchase products from any of its tenants across its 14 mall spaces.Image Courtesy: frasersproperty.comThe app will endeavour to provide ‘store-to-door’ experiences to its tenants and customers as the Singaporean e-commerce market is expected to hit US $ 9.5 billion in 2020.Launching with over 200 merchants, the marketplace will be up and running by

TORONTO - Microfibres from blue denim jeans have been found in the remote Canadian Arctic, according to a new study by scientists at the University of Toronto.The research, published in the American Chemical Society’s Environmental Science and Technology Letters, found that indigo denim accounted for 20 per cent of all microfibres found in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, just south of Greenland.The researchers also found that around 50,000 microfibres are shed every time a single pair of denim

LENZING - The majority of consumers want to shop for fashion and textiles more sustainably with the choice of raw materials ranking as a key factor in purchasing decisions, according to new survey by textile manufacturer Lenzing.The study of 9,000 consumers, aged 18-64, across nine countries - the US, UK, China, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Turkey and Germany - found that material type was seen as a bigger factor than even price or brand reputation.Entitled 'Global Consumer Perception Sur