THE WORLD NEWS – 21

BULETIN TEKSTIL.COM/Jakarta

PAKISTAN

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) predicts Pakistan’s cotton production will fall from 1.5 million tons to 1 million tons following the floods that hit the country.

As the fifth largest cotton producing country in the world, Pakistan really felt the impact of the flood which killed 1,200 people. Floods have destroyed fields and severely damaged cotton crops.

Some sources report that flooding in Pakistan will reduce the world’s supply of cotton for the 2022/2023 harvest season. The decline in world cotton supply will certainly affect world cotton prices.

Some observers say the world cotton price will increase. ICAC estimates that the average price of index A cotton for 2022/2023 will range from 99 cents to 157 cents with a midpoint of 126.95 cents.

Several other world cotton producing countries, such as the US, also experienced the same thing. Several plantations in the Texas region experienced drought due to lack of rainfall. This is expected to cause the amount of cotton harvested to fall by up to 1 million tons. (Just Style).

 

EUROPE

The Russia-Ukraine conflict also affected the delivery of textile products to Europe, particularly in the two countries. Both countries are the main markets for Indonesian textile products. The war has changed the supply chain and future export destinations.

The Russo-Ukrainian war also caused the prices of various clothing needs to increase. From the start, some retailers did not want to increase prices because they wanted to maintain customer loyalty and maintain sales volume.

However, to protect profit margins, retailers must increase their selling prices. In the UK, for example, Zara and Boohoo have increased return fees on their online platforms to keep operating costs down.

In addition to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, several problems also reduced sales in Europe, including rising inflation in several European countries, declining consumer confidence index, and increasing environmental awareness.

Consumer awareness of the environment has pushed consumers to shift to buying used clothing. This of course causes a decrease in the volume of clothing sales in the European market.

Global Data states that the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraging consumers to shop for clothes after two years of not making purchases. They will generally buy holiday and occasion wear.

In addition, online purchases will continue to increase because consumers are used to this buying pattern during the two-year pandemic.

Several types of clothing will be the choice of consumers, e.i. work at home (WFH) clothing, casual wear, and sportswear. Consumers want to get comfortable clothes because they are used to living a healthy lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Just Style).

 

SRI LANKA

A textile factory in Sri Lanka, Noyon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, has developed in planetones, a type of natural dyestuff for textile products. This natural substance that has received certification from the Control Union is an innovation that aims to reduce the use of chemicals in the fabric dyeing process.

The dyeing finishing process is estimated to contribute 20% in waste worldwide and is a major contributor to environmental disturbances in the world.

This change in the use of dyes has a positive impact on international brands, retailers, textile and apparel industries to cooperate with each other in their production processes. Be closer to the goal of sustainable process.

Noyon will collaborate with other stake holders in the supply chain of the textile and apparel production process by providing them with natural dyes. This innovation is expected to be a momentum to start the exclusive apparel production process using natural substances.

Planetones has not only complied with the requirements of the ZDHC Hazardous Chemicals Restriction level 1, Oeko-Tex but also received certification from the Control Union.

These dyes are produced using natural color sources such as cranberry and achiote. In the dyeing finishing process, planetones can save 30% water usage, 15% energy, and reduce large chemical waste compared to the use of chemical dyes. (Just Style).

 

INDIA

India is the fourth largest exporter of textiles and apparel to the European Union. In 2021, India will experience a large trade deficit, where the value of imports reaches EUR 6 billion but the value of exports is only EUR 500 million.

To reduce the imbalanced trade balance, a free trade agreement (FTA) was signed.

The negotiations contained provisions for European textile and apparel companies to export high-quality products to the Indian market. There are also technical assistance solutions in an effort to reduce the environmental footprint of Indian companies.

Euratex, as the ‘representative’ voice of the European textile and apparel industry, fully supports the EU trade agenda which emphasizes the principles of reciprocity, transparency, fair competition, and equality.

FTAs provide an opportunity to create a sustainable and fair trading system, based on rules, environmental, and social standards globally – which will be effectively respected by all parties concerned.

According to Euratex, trade relations between India and the European Union require an open and efficient market, combined with effective controls that ensure a market for EU textile and apparel companies.

In addition, the level of market access to India, both in terms of tariff and non-tariff barriers, also applies equally to EU producers and vice versa for India. (Euratex).

 

ENGLAND

The British government plans to set standards for reducing air pollution and emissions for a number of industries, such as textiles, apparel, and chemicals, because they will disrupt the sustainability of life in the UK.

The UK Environment Minister, Steve Double, expects the industry to adopt the standards that will be set in the near future. “Reducing emissions in the production process is very important to reduce the damaging effects of air, water and soil pollution on humans and the environment”, Steve said.

According to the Minister, the new more stringent and collaborative work standards by all relevant stakeholders are expected to be more effective in protecting the environment and facilitating sustainable production processes.

The provisions in these standards allow regulators and the industry to work together to identify problems and apply standards to reduce harmful emissions from the company’s production process.

Based on the permit issued by the Ministry of Environment, textile and apparel companies must use the best established techniques to prevent or minimize emissions that will have a negative impact on the environment.

The standards set by the British government are intended to make better provisions than those applicable in the European Union in order to provide protection for local British communities.

To oversee the implementation of this new standard, an independent body called the Standards and Regulatory Group will be formed whose members consist of: government officials, technical experts, academics, industrialists, and civil society. (Just Style).

(Red B-Teks/Indra I)

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