The first edition of Technopak Apparel Forum was held in Bangalore recently. The event with the theme “Global Meltdown – Opportunity in Diversity” discussed various issues related to current global textile and apparel scenario and the steps apparel manufacturers and exporters need to undertake in order to be globally competitive.

The 4th quarter in 2008 was marked by a continued decline of global textile production in comparison to the previous two quarters. Both global yarn and fabric output shrunk as a consequence of lower output in all regions.

A period of heavy investments in most textile machinery segments between 2003 and 2007 came to an abrupt end in 2008. All textile machinery segments recorded lower shipments in the range of -3% to -66% in 2008 as compared to 2007.

The Lenzing Group was not able to evade the impact of the global recession of the first half year of 2009 but the company clearly reversed the trend by generating a profit for the period of EUR 11.3 million in the second quarter, after a period net loss of EUR 5.4 million in the first quarter. Consolidated sales dropped by 14.4% from EUR 689.5 million to EUR 589.9 million compared to the first half year of 2008.

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc (NAT, OTCBB: NADVF, TSXV: NAT), a company committed to unlocking the potential of renewable and environmentally sustainable biomass resources from hemp and other bast fibres, signed an agreement with GJ Littlewoods Son, Inc to manufacture Crailar® Organic fibres for use in commercial products made by apparel companies.

Regulators in the United States have announced a crackdown on textile manufacturers for marketing clothing made from bamboo as being eco-friendly and having a range of beneficial properties.

A dry winter is being blamed for lower organic cotton yields at bioRe Tanzania, but the 2000 farmers involved in the project s are well trained to deal with fluctuations in seasonal rainfall thanks to the extensive support from the bioRe team.

Invista has added to its family of Cordura fabrics with a new version made with recycled polyester yarns. The Cordura EcoMade fabrics are made using Unifi’s Repreve recycled polyester yarns that are specifically engineered to meet the performance and durability specifications of Cordura.

“The textile industry in India as well as Southern Region, is optimistic for an early revival of growth” says the CII Southern Region Quarterly Industry and Economic Update for the Textile Sector.

Intertek, a leading global provider of quality and safety solutions conducted a seminar on “Safety Aspects in Children’s Clothing” at the Golden Jubilee edition of the National Garment Fair (NGF) in Mumbai.

Indian Fashion is going places! The next stop is none other that the most prestigious global event… the Milan Fashion Week that has collaborated with the Fashion Foundation of India for a one-of-its-kind initiative.

The worldwide economic downturn is creating new and greater challenges for the Textile Processing Industry. Manufacturers all over the world are looking at new and more competitive ways to retain existing customers as well as add new ones.

The 49th Annual General Meeting of the Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association (TMMA) and the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of TMMA (I) were held recently at Hotel Taj President, Mumbai.

Mr Anuj Bhagwati, Director, Trumac Engineering Co Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad, has been elected as the Chairman of the Textile Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (India) (TMMA) for the year 2009 - 10.

Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA), in collaboration with the FIBRE2FASHION -- the largest B2B Textile Portal Global -- will be organising a one and a half day International Management Seminar on Textiles to deliberate the less discussed key issues for improving the performance of the textile industry.

Foreign Trade Policy 2009 - 14 Growth-oriented: “The new Foreign Trade Policy for 2009 - 14 is positive, growth-oriented and in the right direction,” Mr Ganesh Kumar Gupta, Chairman of The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), said.

CIFS 2010 – Colombo International Yarn & Fabric Show 2010, organised by CEMS from February 11 to 13, 2010, is all set to be the leading International Exhibition in Sri Lanka on international yarn and fabric manufacturers/suppliers, for the entire apparel and textile world of Sri Lanka will look forward to draw huge visitors from the apparel and textile arena of Sri Lanka.

Expo Hightex is Canada's most important event for textile-related technologies, and the event has a special focus on the personal protection, medical, transport and construction industries.

The 10th China (Qingdao) International Textile Machinery Fair (QITMF 2009) will be staged from September 15 - 17, 2009 at Qingdao International Convention Center, Qingdao, Shandong Province, PR China.