The weakness in trade in China, the world’s second-largest economy, continued in July 2016. China’s exports fell again in July by an unexpectedly wide margin. Exports fell by 4.4 per cent to $184.7 billion, of course, a slight improvement over June’s 4.8 per cent contraction, the country’s customs data showed. On the other hand, imports fell 12.5 per cent to $132.4 billion rising from a decline of 8.4 per cent.

For the second quarter of 2016 Thailand-based Indorama Ventures’ profit after tax and non-controlling interests rose 74 per cent year-on-year driven by margin recovery in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) segment and contributions from additional feedstock volumes.

Cambodia’s export to the US is hitting snags, with the garment and footwear exports from Cambodia to the US falling by eight per cent during the first half of the year. Garments comprise the largest component of Cambodia’s export basket to the United States, the country’s biggest single country export market.

Arvind Limited has announced its foray into premium worsted suiting with the launch of ‘Primante’ brand. To be sourced entirely from Milan, Italy, the Primante fabric will see a combination of Australian Merino wool and Italian design to conceptualised by Arvind for urban Indian customers.

After the grand success of the World Textile Conference 2011, the Textile Association of India (TAI) is organising the 2nd World Textile Conference (WTC-2) on September 16 and 17, 2016 at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai. The theme for this conference is: “World Textile: Growth & Great Opportunities”.

Huntsman Textile Effects has streamlined its Indian operations to strengthen sales and after-sales functions, analysis of industry and product trends, expand the business and further improve customer satisfaction.

Researchers have developed a flexible, lightweight and low-cost textile that can be used in light-emitting clothing, as well as buildings and signs.

Wellington-based sustainable fashion brand, Space Between, has developed a solution to significantly reduce clothing and textile waste and is seeking funding to work with local designer, Larissa Banks.

Greaves Cotton Ltd has posted a 5 per cent growth in its revenue at Rs 445 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 as against Rs 424 crore for the corresponding period last year. Despite tough market conditions, the company maintained its net profit at Rs 39 crore for the first quarter, 11 per cent decline from Rs 44 crore in the comparable period last year.