The 1st International Conference on Cellulose Fibres attracted some 210 participants and 15 exhibitors from 26 different countries. The conference focused on markets, technologies and sustainability. Entire value chain from the lignocellulosic feedstock, dissolving pulp, cellulose fibres to applications, woven textiles and non-wovens were covered.Pic: ShutterstockThe conference was held during February 11-12 in Cologne, Germany.The conference covered the entire value chain from the lignocellulos

The Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Dhaka recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany’s Engelbert Strauss and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to enhance cooperation among the institutions. Engelbert Strauss will help AUST in establishing a chair on sustainability in the textile sector and fund a teaching post.AUST vice chancellor Muhammad Fazli Ilahi, Engelbert Strauss owner Steffen Strauss and GIZ’s Werner Lange signed

Crafted Society, a luxury goods brand whose mission is to use luxury for good, has secured more than €1 million in external capital from a selection of business angels to support its international growth strategy. The founders have solely financed their business from its inception but have now sold just over 25 per cent of the company to fuel future growth.Pic: Crafted SocietyThe new working capital has been earmarked to broaden the brand’s digital presence through their strategic alliance with

L Brands, a US based fashion retailer, reported a marginal 1 per cent reduction in net sales to $12.914 billion in fiscal 2019, that ended on February 1, 2020. Net sales in the Q4 FY19 fell 2 per cent to $4.707 billion compared to $4.852 billion in the same period prior year. The Bath & Body Works business reported record results in Q4 and full FY19.Pic: L BrandsCompany's operating income in Q4 FY19 was $81.7 million compared to $799.4 million same period prior year. L Brand reported net

In the early days of the garments manufacturing industry in Bangladesh, very few factories used to work on All Over Printing (AOP). During the time, printed fabrics were made only for the local market, not for the global market.In the 80s when the Readymade Garments (RMG) manufacturing in Bangladesh was getting bigger step-by-step, at the same time printing projects were also gaining momentum. When the rolling printing technology became extinct, printing technologies like flatbed machines for fa

The first Cradle to Cradle Certified Platinum denim fabric introduced C&A has. The denim was created in partnership with Rajby Textiles and Eco Intelligent Growth. This is the first fabric worldwide to be certified at the Platinum level by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, a global non-profit dedicated to transforming the safety, health and sustainability of products through the Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard.C&A is the first fashion brand to achieve the hi

Spanish brand Mango is now present in Kenya, Angola, Egypt and South Africa, among other African countries. The African store count totals 52 retail outlets, including four Mango megastores, a retail concept that the company introduced in late 2013. Compared to the traditional average store format of 300 sq mts, megastores have surface areas of between 800 and 1,500 sq mts, while flagship stores could be as large as 3,000 sq mts. Mango was one of the first European fashion brands to expand in Af

The) Punjab chairman Adil Bashir recently urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to review the decision of add-ons and surcharges that has raised power tariff to 70 per cent retrospectively for the export-oriented industry. The decision could lead to closure of mills and render thousands jobless, he feared.Addressing a press conference at the APTMA Punjab office in Lahore, he lamented that the government had unilaterally increased power tariff to 13 cents per kWh to cover its inefficiency and had made

A shift in sourcing and demand-based supply chains are the key apparel sourcing challenges faced by US companies due to an impending economic downturn. Driving end-to-end process efficiency and cross-functional collaboration is crucial for companies to address such challenges. The US and China have embarked on a trade war that has seen them impose tariffs on a combined $360 billion worth of tariffs on imports, causing turmoil for financial markets and concern in sourcing circles.The key economic

In nine months of 2019 Ralph Lauren’s profit shot up by 58.6%. Revenues grew 1.6 per cent. The company adopted strategies that allowed it to elevate the brand. North America continues to be Ralph Lauren’s most successful market, although it’s the market that least grew in the year. Sales in the region increased 0.6 per cent. The company’s sales in Asia grew the most, 4.7 per cent more. Additionally, in Europe, the group’s sales increased by 2.7 per cent. America continues to be Ralph Lauren’s mo