Industry News | 8/2/23
Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force Publishes Updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Strategy
American Journal of Transportation | August 1, 2023
Yesterday, the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force in the U.S. published an updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Strategy to Prevent the Importation of Goods Mined, Produced, or Manufactured with Forced Labor in the People’s Republic of China. The updated UFLPA Strategy highlights enforcement of the UFLPA’s rebuttable presumption, which prohibits goods from being imported into the United States that are either produced in Xinjiang, or by entities identified on the UFLPA Entity List, unless the importer can prove the goods were not produced with forced labor. Additionally, the strategy highlights an expanded UFLPA Entity List, which, as of August 2, 2023, will include four new companies. Additional industry coverage is available here. The trade experts at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. have also provided an analysis here.
How Traceability Became the Latest Eco-Friendly Buzzword in Apparel
Modern Retail | August 1, 2023
While traceability is not necessarily a new concept in retail, more brands appear to be jumping on board due to either government requirements or consumer demand. Modern Retail provides examples of how retailers and brands are implementing traceability in their supply chains.
Focus: Clothiers Bet on 'Cooling' Fabrics as Global Temps Rise
Reuters | August 1, 2023
Apparel manufacturers and sellers are banking on lightweight materials and performance fabrics aimed at offering more relief than traditional cotton and polyester knits, as well as high-tech fibers they say offer wearers "active" cooling. Reuters looks at examples of this trend among brands and retailers.
Nanobionic Technologies Introduces Nanobionic Superheat Membrane Leveraging Outerwear
Apparel Resources | August 1, 2023
Nanobionic Technologies has introduced a groundbreaking innovation in the field of performance materials, the Nanobionic Super Heat membrane. This proprietary membrane is designed to capitalize on the body’s natural heat production, offering a game-changing solution for outdoor enthusiasts, military applications, and space exploration.
Biden in Maine Signs Executive Order to ‘Invent it Here, Make it Here’
Sourcing Journal | July 31, 2023
President Biden visited a Maine textile mill last week to sign an executive order designed to encourages companies to manufacture what is invented in the United States. Specifically, the order is meant to streamline the process of getting funding for U.S. inventions, increase transparency in the approvals process, smooth the reporting process, and encourage agencies to consider domestically produced commodities. The President’s remarks are available here.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | AMANN Group Delegation Meets BGMEA President
Textile Focus | July 31, 2023
A delegation from SPESA member AMANN Group, a renowned international manufacturer of high-quality sewing threads, embroidery threads, and Smart Yarns, recently visited the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The group discussed various matters concerning the country’s ready-made garment industry, including the current state of the sector, global market demands and trends, and the existing challenges and opportunities.
UK Boosts Efforts To Keep Fashion, Textiles out of Landfill
Just Style | July 31, 2023
The UK government has unveiled a new Waste Prevention Programme for England supporting its waste reduction targets and net zero commitment. The plan includes a section specifically on textiles, and aims to “promote and increase fashion and textile repair, reuse, and recycling efforts in pursuit of its goal to achieve a circular economy approach.”
Walmart Aims for affordable, Sustainable Clothing with Carbon Capture Tech Pilot
Retail Dive | July 31, 2023
Walmart has partnered with Rubi Laboratories, a San Francisco-based biotech company, to introduce carbon capture technology in its supply chain and experiment with garments made from captured carbon emissions. As part of the pilot, Walmart will explore whether it can integrate Rubi’s technology across its supply chain and test Rubi’s carbon capture capabilities at some of its facilities. The companies are also testing the performance of apparel that uses the fibers Rubi produces from carbon emissions.
U.S. Fashion Firms Expect Sourcing Levels To Plunge on Pressured Economy
Just Style | July 31, 2023
The latest set of results from the tenth United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) survey shows U.S. fashion executives are exercising a level of caution as they move into 2024, with only half expecting sourcing volumes to rise, as concerns about inflation and the state of the economy continue. Read the complete benchmarking study here.
Inditex To Make 'Gradual' Exit from Myanmar
Fashion United | July 31, 2023
Inditex, the parent company of Zara and other brands, is the latest apparel company to announce it will no longer source clothes from Myanmar. The fashion giant is reportedly halting purchases as a result of a campaign by global labor union IndustriALL to persuade companies not to invest in the country (anymore).
Liberty, Equality… Embroidery: The Political Power of Textile Art
The Guardian | July 30, 2023
A series of exhibitions in the UK this summer casts new light on the political power and importance of textiles in all their forms. Honestly, we just felt like sneaking in a fun story. Enjoy!
Are Fashion Brands’ Recycling Schemes Misleading Consumers?
Retail Wire | July 27, 2023
Retail Wire shares highlights of a UK investigative report from The Times in which investigators attached tracking devices to various garments to learn what really happens to clothing that is donated to take-back bins set up by popular fashion brands. We are sharing because this is an interesting topic and something that may be cited as a resource for further discussion on textile recycling. Although, the article did raise a few questions for us around research sample size and our industry’s definitions of recycling.
Fix Robot Triumphs in Developing the '3D Shape Headrest Sewing Equipment'
Press Release | July 26, 2023
Fix Robot Co., Ltd. announced that it succeeded in developing “3D shape headrest automatic sewing equipment” that automatically produces three-dimensional products by bonding (attaching and sewing) upper and lower sewing materials of different shapes and is starting to sell them in earnest.
Indian Technical Textiles Market Set To Reach US$50 Billion in Next 5 Years, Backed by Government Initiatives
Apparel Resources | July 26, 2023
The Indian technical textiles industry is on the cusp of a remarkable growth trajectory, with expectations to achieve a staggering US$50 billion within the next five years, a significant leap from its current standing at US$22 billion. The lofty goal is supported by the Government’s multifaceted approach including a strong focus on research and development activities in the technical textile sector as well as establishing a well-structured skilling ecosystem to nurture a skilled workforce essential for the sector’s expansion.
Fashion for Good Partners adidas, Inditex, Target & Zalando Join Forces with FastFeetGrinded for Circular Footwear
Press Release | July 25, 2023
Fashion for Good has launched a new pilot with brand partners adidas, Inditex, Target, and Zalando, and footwear recycling innovator FastFeetGrinded to test and validate the innovative footwear recycling process to support the uptake of recycled content in footwear, driving the change towards a more circular footwear industry.
Leather-Seat Maker for Car Companies Targeted in Widening Probe
The Washington Post | July 25, 2023
The maker of leather seats for some of the world’s largest automakers is the latest target of expanding congressional probes into environmental and human rights abuses in the supply chains that fuel production of cars and SUVs.
Could Generative AI Solve Fashion’s Excess Stock Problems?
Vogue Business | July 24, 2023
Emerging technology has the potential to transform the fashion supply chain by enabling real-time tracking of demand and inventory. Vogue Business breaks down the potential rewards and the barriers to overcome in order to implement generative AI in the luxury sector in the future.
The Wrinkles in Getting ‘Forever Chemicals’ Out of Our Clothes (Podcast)
The Wall Street Journal | July 21, 2023
The Wall Street Journal dives into the textile industry’s efforts to move on from PFAS and change consumer expectations around clothing. Listen to the podcast episode or read the transcript at the link below.
Fashion Brands Still Have Work To Do on Supply Chain Transparency: Report
Fashion Dive | July 21, 2023
Fashion Revolution released its eighth annual Fashion Transparency Index in July, which found that fashion brands haven’t made much progress on increasing transparency in their supply chains and global impacts from the previous year. The report gathered data on 250 of the world’s largest fashion brands and retailers, and ranked them based on what information they chose to disclose regarding their social and environmental policies, practices and impacts, and operations and supply chains.
Investment-Worthy Tech that Is Shaking Up Fashion Waste, Returns Game
Just Style | July 20, 2023
From realistic 3D digital avatars minimizing the need for fashion samples to a size body scanner that reduces customer returns by 5%, UK garment manufacturer Fashion Enter Ltd and UK fashion retailer N Brown reveal the technologies they believe are worth investing in today.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Messe Frankfurt Buys Stake in Denim Trade Fair Kingpins
Fashion United | July 19, 2023
German trade fair organizer Messe Frankfurt has bought a stake in denim trade show Kingpins, which runs in New York and Amsterdam. Messe Frankfurt, which owns around 50 international trade fairs in 11 countries, said the investment in Kingpins will elevate its portfolio while also solidifying its commitment to the denim industry's development. Messe Frankfurt is an associate member of SPESA and our partner for the Texprocess Americas show in Atlanta.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | SourceAmerica Proudly Sponsors the Military Times Foundation Service Members of the Year Awards
Press Release | July 19, 2023
SPESA member SourceAmerica, an AbilityOne authorized enterprise that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities including veterans and wounded warriors, announced its sponsorship of the Military Times Service Members of the Year awards, which took place on July 18, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Gripper Attachment Precisely Handles Rolled Materials
Composites World | July 18, 2023
As the company continues to innovate and develop various models and platforms of cutting machines, Autometrix remains committed to providing customers with the best solutions for accurately handling rolled goods. Its latest offering, the Fusion Gripper, is designed with versatility and durability in mind. Operation is simplified via seamlessly integrated controls in the cutting machine’s touchscreen and PatternSmith software.
How Nike Cut Its Supplier Lead Times To Become a Supply Chain ‘Changemaker’
Supply Management | July 18, 2023
Sportswear giant Nike has cut lead times for orders from 60 days to just 10 days by installing over a thousand automated machines at supplier factories across manufacturing processes. The machines handle cutting, cementing, shoe assembly, and solemaking, helping to increase efficiency and reduce labor times. Nike has also reportedly developed methods to produce footwear with 30% fewer production steps, and 50% less labor.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Just Style Excellence Awards 2023: Alvanon
Just Style | July 17, 2023
SPESA member Alvanon is a winner of the recently announced Just Style Excellence Awards, celebrating the “greatest achievements and innovations in the industry.” The technology company was honored in the Innovation category for the development of its 3D avatars for virtual modeling. The complete list of winners is available here.
Startups Introduce 3D Printed Shoes
Textile Technology Source | July 17, 2023
UAE-based 3D printed footwear startup ELASTIUM has introduced its first 3D printed sneakers made from 100% recyclable foam. Bonus: they look like Yeezys, which look like dinosaur skulls.
Catawba Textiles Training Center Scores Big for Manufacturers
Business North Carolina | July 17, 2023
This is a nice profile on the Manufacturing Solutions Center.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Sustainable Innovation at Interzum Cologne
BedTimes Magazine | July 5, 2023
BedTimes Magazine recaps the exhibitors and innovations on display at Interzum Cologne in May 2023, including SPESA member Atlanta Attachment Company. The machinery supplier showed an updated version of its recycling machine for pocketed springs, with design changes for increased efficiency and output.
SPESA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Shima Seiki Italia + The Woolmark Company
Knitting Industry | July 4, 2023
Shima Seiki Italia and The Woolmark Company recently united with two Italian partners, H-Dry Technology and SPESA member MACPI GROUP, to create a new performance wear capsule collection for mountain and snow sports.
Texprocess Americas 2023: A Showcase of Innovation, Collaborative Insights, and Unforgettable Experiences
Xochil Herrera Scheer (SEAMS X Files Blog Post) | June 28, 2023
Kicking off a new bimonthly blog series for SEAMS, Xochil Herrera Scheer, owner of The Chicago Pattern Maker, recapped the recentTexprocess Americas in Atlanta, sharing her experience at the 2023 show and excitement for 2025. Xochil helped organize and lead the Tech Talks series at Texprocess Americas 2023.