Insights ICE cotton futures closed slightly higher on expectations of improved global demand, offsetting pressure from a stronger US dollar and steady crude oil prices. December 2025 futures settled at 65.68 cents per pound. Market sentiment was supported by hopes for stronger US cotton purchases, though the ongoing government shutdown has delayed key USDA reports. ICE cotton futures closed higher on expectations of increased demand for the natural fibre. The optimism outweighed pressure from

Insights Vietnam's manufacturing sector gained strong momentum in October 2025 as the S&P Global PMI rose to 54.5 from 50.4, the sharpest improvement since July 2024. Output, new orders, and employment expanded, while confidence reached a 16-month high. Input and output prices rose at faster rates amid supply challenges, though overall optimism remained solid despite inflationary and weather-related pressures. Vietnam’s manufacturing sector strengthened at the start of the final qua

Insights Indian manufacturing conditions strengthened in October, buoyed by GST reforms, productivity gains and tech investment, PMI data show. A faster rise in new orders boosted growth of output and buying levels, and the latter drove a near-record expansion in input inventories. External sales rose the slowest in ten months. Job creation entered its twentieth month in a row in October; growing moderately. Manufacturing sector conditions in India continued to strengthen in October, buoyed b

Insights China's manufacturing sector continued to expand at the start of the final quarter of the year, latest PMI data by S&P Global show. At 50.6, down from 51.2 in September, the latest reading indicated that growth slowed in the latest survey period and was only marginal. Meanwhile, the Chinese government's official data revealed the manufacturing PMI stood at 49 in the month—down by 0.8 pp from September. China’s manufacturing sector continued to expand at the start of t

Insights Global FDI declined 3 per cent in H1 2025, marking a continued two-year slump as trade tensions, high borrowing costs, and geopolitical uncertainty curbed investor confidence, according to UNCTAD. Developed economies saw an 18 per cent fall in M&As. Greenfield and renewable projects dropped sharply, though AI-driven investments and sovereign wealth fund activity may aid recovery later in 2025. Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell 3 per cent in the first half (H1) of 2025,

Insights UK textile brands cut carbon by 6 per cent and water use by 9 per cent since 2019, according to the UK Textiles Pact's fourth Annual Progress Update by WRAP. The report highlights significant gains from sustainable fibres, recycled content, and improved manufacturing processes. However, rising production volumes—up 17 per cent since 2019—offset overall reductions. Sustainability teams in the United Kingdom are driving real progress to reduce impacts by improving products,

Insights Thailand's International Institute for Trade and Development and the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute recently signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation in trade and development, and collaborate in education, research, training, human resource development and policy analysis. Their shared activities will involve organising research programmes, seminars, workshops and training sessions. Thailand’s International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) and the Bangladesh Foreign

Insights The Philippine manufacturing producer price index (PPI) posted a faster YoY rise of 1 per cent in September from a 0.6-per cent YoY in August. It saw a faster month-on-month rise of 0.223 per cent in September from 0.219 per cent in August. The higher annual growth was primarily due to the upturn in the YoY growth rate of transport equipment PPI—at 1.6 per cent from a 0.2-per cent YoY drop in August. The producer price index (PPI) for the manufacturing sector in the Philippines

Insights World Bank forecasts global commodity prices to fall seven per cent in 2025 and 2026, hitting a six-year low amid weak growth, rising oil surpluses, and policy uncertainty. Energy prices are expected to drop further, helping cool inflation. The World Bank urges governments to use this window for fiscal reform, while warning that geopolitical and climate shocks could reverse the downward trend. Global commodity prices are projected to fall to their lowest level in six years in 2026, m

Insights Techtextil and Texprocess have invited experts to submit presentations for their 2026 forums by December 15, 2025. To be held from April 21–24, 2026 in Frankfurt, the events will spotlight innovation, sustainability, AI, and digitalisation, promoting collaboration between research and industry. Participation is free, and selected speakers will be announced in Feb 2026 for the four-day programme. Anyone who wants to contribute to shaping the future of the textile industry can s