Ferraro has been awarded since Years with the Green Label certification

Founded in 1951, Ferraro spa with more than 60 years of experience is the ideal partner for all companies looking for excellence and quality in the finishing of knitted fabrics and woven fabrics. The energy used in the research of new technologies and the continuous follow up towards all our customers, have led Ferraro spa to be the first choice in the world in the textile finishing sector. Alex Zucchi, President and CEO, Ferraro spa, in this interview with Divya Shetty, sharesthe company’s most recent innovations and the reasons why Italy is a leading force in the global textile industry.

Italy is renowned for its advanced technology and engineering. What would you say are the key strengths of the Italian textile machinery industry that set it apart from other countries? 

There is no doubt Italy represents the best in textile technology currently available worldwide. History, culture tradition are part of our life. With over 300 companies exporting almost 90 per cent of their production in over 130 countries is itself explanatory.  Tradition means skilled people that with their experience and creativity are capable to develop new machineries and technology according the market requirement and evolution.

 Could you share some of the latest innovations Ferraro has made in textile machinery?   

Ferraro co has always been at front with new development investing a lot in R& D. Being the worldwide leader for over half a century in the field of compaction for knitted fabric, during the last 15 years Ferraro has step in the woven fabric world with new sanforizing line distinguishing for its quality, reliability and high perf0rmance. Most recently Ferraro has introduced new patented technology in the pre-washing step for finishing process. The latest unit is called FerrSonic and is based on ultrasound technology for scouring the fabric. It is a new technology, the most sustainable process to remove oil and waxes from the fabric with incredible reduction of water usage and a very little amount of chemical (also green and biodegradable)

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the textile industry. How does Ferraro address environmental concerns through its machinery and processes?

Despite nowadays everybody is talking about sustainability Ferraro co. has been a pioneer supporting and promoting this philosophy since 2010. Our company has been one of the first worldwide developing an internal process to achieve more sustainable results in terms water, chemical, air, and steam reduction.  Ferraro has been awarded since years with the GREEN LABEL certification. Each single machine produced by Ferraro is certified with the declaration of the real consumption of above parameters and the amount of carbon dioxide not released into atmosphere.

The relationship between Italy and India in the textile sector has been growing. Can you elaborate on how Ferraro is engaging with the Indian market and any collaborative projects or partnerships you are involved in? 

India has always represented one of the main destination markets for Ferraro machines. During the last 30 years we have seen an interesting improvement in terms of quality by local manufacturers but still the technology, in our field, is far to be close to the Italian level. Being India such a big country with a great potential, we believe it is important we consider starting to evaluate some local partnership to share our experience and knowledge as already done by few of other Italian manufacturers. We know by their experience it is a long way to go but it’s time to start in this direction.

What are the major challenges currently facing the textile machinery industry and how is Ferraro overcoming these challenges? 

We are deeply convinced the future in our field is not based on volume/quantity but on new technologies allowing higher sustainability, keeping in consideration the results of a stronger circularity (less production!!!) and a different approach to the consumers.  Ferraro co. has clear ideas in this regard and since the machine development maintains as final goal the above achievement. It is evident that more investment will be required in R & D.

How does Ferraro ensure high standards of quality and precision in your machinery, and what measures are in place to maintain this reputation?  

I have partially replied to this question at the very beginning of this interview: culture, experience, tradition…but it is unfortunately true, the skilled people get old, get retired and we must prepare the new generation to take over. The new technology requires a different kind of skill of the operator and it is our duty to educate the young coming in the picture according the above mentioned technology. We are in a digitalised world and all our people are constantly supported in this direction. There is a very important consideration I would like to raise up: new generation is not much attracted by our field (textile machinery). It is our responsibility to do as much we can to make it interesting and  make understand that building textile machineries is not anymore fix a bolt or weld a pipe but means operate with the latest electronic tools, communicate via clouds etc…  

Could you discuss any upcoming trends or technological advancements in textile machinery that you believe will shape the future of the industry?    

I believe now it’s time for AI.  There is an ocean of possibility and application to be developed in this new AI world. Currently a part of many announcement, there are only very few application (in our field) still to be tested. That’s why I am pushing a lot our people to spend more time on this subject. As Ferraro, we are cooperating since over one year with a specialised software company trying to set up an automatic system providing real time service 24 hours, 7 days a week. There are so many complication involved, a lot of changes in company organisation but I am totally confident, once we will complete this work, the return of this investment will be great and successful also in terms of marketing.  

CITI initiates cluster level capacity building workshops for Indian textile suppliers

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) had recently partnered with Fair wear foundation formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding for a comprehensive one-year program on capacity building of Indian textile exporters on understanding the upcoming due diligence frameworks in EU and strengthen suppliers’ voices in the consultations. Enacted in May 2024, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) mandates European companies to implement comprehensive human rights and environmental due diligence across global supply chains. This directive is expected to reduce the multiplicity of reporting’s through a unified legal framework within the EU, fostering legal certainty and a level playing field. This presents an opportunity for Indian manufacturers to adopt human rights and environmental due diligence (HRDD) practices, enhancing their negotiation leverage and better understanding of their risks and opportunities.

“The CSDDD is a transformative development for the Indian textile and apparel sector,” stated Rakesh Mehra, Chairman, CITI. “By embracing this directive, our industry can not only meet global standards but also leverage shared responsibilities with brands, engage meaningfully with stakeholders, and address power imbalances.”

As part of this collaborative effort, the Fair Wear Foundation and CITI had partnered for a Capacity Building Workshop titled “Sustainable Practices: Navigating Social and Environmental Compliances” in association with the South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) in Surat on 24th July 2024.

The workshop featured insights from knowledge partners, Fair Wear Foundation, and Regulatory Representatives & Managers Association (RRMA) who highlighted the importance of chemical compliance in the textile value chain.

On social due diligence, participants were educated on the CSDDD’s implications for brands, outline due diligence obligations and environmental responsibilities, and detail the climate change combat plan stipulated by the directive. Key sessions included discussions on brand obligations, monitoring and sanctions by authorities, business partner responsibilities, and integrating due diligence into company policies.

RRMA and ZDHC has covered the topic on global regulatory landscape for chemical management in various countries, emphasising the importance of compliance with regulations to protect environmental and human health. It discusses specific regulations, responsible authorities, compliance obligations, circular economy principles, and sustainable chemical management practices. The document aims to provide insights into chemical compliance in the textile sector, focusing on regulatory standards, hazardous chemicals categorisation, sustainability certificates, and the global regulatory landscape. It highlights the significance of certifications like OEKO-TEX, ZDHC, GOTS, Blue Sign, Cradle to Cradle, and Eco Label in promoting environmentally friendly practices in the textile industry.