Manufacturing

The technical textiles sector is one of the focus areas of the Indian Ministry of Textiles. A one-day conference later this week will deliberate on the future of technical textiles, focusing on market opportunities, sustainability, workforce development and chemical compliance. Rakesh Sangrai, Director - Textile Committee at main organiser PHDCCI speaks about the sector’s prospects.

Lesotho has declared a national State of Disaster after a 50% tariff imposed by Donald Trump decimated its textile sector. The sudden collapse of its biggest employer has left tens of thousands jobless, exposing the country's economic fragility and raising alarm over the future of AGOA-supported trade across sub-Saharan Africa.

Viet Nam's fashion industry leaders are launching a comprehensive transformation strategy to strengthen the country's position as a global manufacturing leader. The ambitious initiative focuses on technological advancement and sustainable development practices to maintain competitive advantages and also addressing mounting international trade compliance requirements through enhanced domestic capabilities.

Egypt's textile industry is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing hub, driven by competitive labour costs, strategic location, and massive Chinese investment. With exports surging 18% to $2.84 billion in 2024 and government modernisation plans targeting $12 billion by 2031, Egypt is positioning itself as a key alternative to traditional textile centres.

Quebec's textile industry will received significant government support as the Canadian state's Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy has approved a $700,000 subsidy for wool industry development. Led by TechniTextile Quebec and J Underhill Wool Inc, the project aims to revitalise regional wool production.

Fashion's global supply chains face unprecedented scrutiny as business conduct risks expose brands to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and financial losses. From forced labour controversies to environmental violations, the industry's complex sourcing networks are increasingly under fire from regulators, investors, and consumers demanding greater transparency and accountability.

A new investigation has uncovered the hidden realities of Pakistan’s garment industry, exposing wage theft, forced overtime, and widespread informality across eight factories supplying European brands. Based on 126 worker interviews, the report challenges the effectiveness of social audits and highlights systemic exploitation in one of South Asia’s largest textile and apparel export hubs.

The fashion industry now has a powerful tool to map its complex sustainability challenges. The Fashion Impact Toolkit, developed by Global Fashion Agenda and Deloitte, catalogues around 3,000 impacts across the textile value chain. Designed for strategic planning and accountability, it equips companies to track, assess, and address environmental and social harms from fibre to end-of-life.

Despite rising price competition and shifting global trade dynamics, Swiss textile machinery continues to command global respect for its precision and innovation. In this exclusive interview, Davide Maccabruni, the new President of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association, discusses how the sector is evolving through sustainability, digital integration, and region-specific strategies to maintain its global leadership.

A new 2025 analysis of fashion industry climate strategies has found that leading brands like Adidas, H&M Group, and Shein continue to fall short of meaningful action. The report by NewClimate Institute  cited weak electrification plans, overreliance on fossil gas and biomass, and a refusal to move away from the fast fashion model.