From the Sector

Industry people at the 18th Bangladesh Denim Expo thinks that the country will continue to be an indispensable global sourcing destination even during the times of tariff and trade wars. Capacity building and innovation will be the building stone for the industry to sail through the uncertain times.

The 2-day expo kicks off today where 57 exhibitors from 13 countries are participating includes Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Vietnam. UAE, Germany, Switzerland & USA.

“Bangladesh has emerged as the fastest-growing apparel exporter to the United States in the first quarter of 2025, posting the highest year-on-year growth of 26.64%. This performance placed Bangladesh ahead of other major exporters such as India with a 24.04% rise, while Pakistan, Vietnam, and China with the rise of 17.49%, 13.96%, and 4.18% respectively at a time when US market is volatile because of imposing worldwide reciprocal tariff by the Trump’s Administration recently. I think even on the negotiation table of the trade issues our card should be the industry’s steady progress towards skill development, sustainability and innovation. As we need our trade partners as much as their consumers need us’’ said Mostafiz Uddin, Founder & CEO of Bangladesh Denim Expo.

Bangladesh is the largest denim exporter both to the USA and Europe. The country is enjoying duty-free market access to the EU under the Everything But Arms (EBA) and Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) as an least developed country (LDC); but the status to be changed to a developing nation next year.

If Bangladesh could not attain GSP Plus, the country from 2029 could not export duty free to the EU, the region accounts for 50.15% of Bangladesh’s total apparel export.

“In the last edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo, we had experts panel sessions on the LDC graduation where all the speakers unanimously stressed on the capacity building of the industry to cope up with the changing tariff regimes.  So, in this edition of the expo, all the panel sessions we designed are solely meant for capacity building of both the professionals and the industry. You may also say that from this edition we shifted from plans to actions to prepare Bangladesh’s denim industry for 2029 and beyond,’’ added Mostafiz Uddin.

There are two panel sessions scheduled for the two-day event on the topics “The growth of the Bangladesh denim industry, through the perspective of denim washing” and “Stretch-ability of Bangladesh denim traceability”.

Abdus Samad, Director, Well of Washing, Arief Labu, Co-founder & Creative Director, Ruhrose RBT Ltd. Julie Davies, GM - Processing Innovation, and Education Extension, The Woolmark Company, Kamal Uddin Mia, Chief Operation Officer (Washing), Bitopi Group, Marco Volpi, Head of Sales for the Europe and Africa region, Bluesign Technologies AG, Md. Forhad Hossain, Owner, Pure Chemicals, Raquib Imtiaz, Business manager, LC WAIKIKI, Reza e Rabbi, Head of Operation, Vertex Wear Limited,  Shohel Rana, CEO, Designer Fashion LTD and Designer Wash LTD, are sharing their expert insights in the panel sessions.

There will be also one special presentation on ‘The denim business beside sewing and wash production’ by Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Head of Operation, Square Denims Ltd, Garment Unit.  

At the expo also a fashion trend-zone is set up to showcase cutting-edge denim innovations and unique fabrics from Bangladesh.

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, reports a continued improvement in its business performance in the first quarter of 2025, although the recovery of global textile markets remained very slow and uneven during the reporting period. While the positive trend in volumes sold continued, prices remained constant at a low level. Raw material, energy and logistics costs continued to be high.

Revenue grew by 4.8 percent year-on-year to EUR 690.2 mn in the first quarter of 2025. The operating earnings trend largely reflected the positive effects of the performance program. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 118.8 percent year-on-year to EUR 156.1 mn. This also includes positive special effects from the sale of EUR 25.5 mn surplus EU emission certificates and the change in the fair value of biological assets in the amount of EUR 9.2 mn. The EBITDA margin in-creased from 10.8 percent to 22.6 percent. The operating result (EBIT) amounted to EUR 74.3 mn (compared with EUR 1.5 mn in the first quarter of 2024) and the EBIT margin amounted to 10.8 percent (compared with 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024). Earnings before tax (EBT) amounted to EUR 35.1 mn (compared with minus EUR 17.8 mn in the first quarter of 2024). The result after tax also improved significantly and was positive again for the first time since the third quarter of 2022 at EUR 31.7 mn (compared with minus EUR 26.9 mn in the first quarter of 2024).

The Lenzing Group’s performance program is designed holistically with the overarching objective of significantly increasing long-term resilience to crises and greater agility in the face of market changes. The program initiatives are primarily aimed at improving EBITDA and at generating free cash flow through enhanced profitability, as well as sustainable cost excellence. Extensive actions are being undertaken to strengthen sales activities, such as the acquisition of new customers for the most important fiber types as well as expansion in previously smaller markets, which are exerting a positive impact in terms of revenue. The Managing Board also anticipates significant cost savings. Savings of over EUR 130 mn were already realized in the 2024 financial year. From the current financial year onwards, Lenzing is aiming for recurring annual cost savings of over EUR 180 mn.

Outlook
The IMF has significantly downgraded its growth forecasts for both this year and next to 2.8 percent and 3.0 percent respectively. The escalation of international trade conflicts and the risk of inflation returning are seen as major threats to global growth.

In times of uncertainty and high living costs, consumers can be expected to remain cautious and thrifty, with negative effects on consumer sentiment and their willingness to spend.

The currency environment is expected to remain volatile in regions relevant to Lenzing.

In the trend-setting market for cotton, analysts expect a slight increase in stocks to around 18.8 mn tonnes in the current 2024/2025 harvest season, according to preliminary estimates.

Lenzing will continue to consistently implement its performance program and expects to leverage further cost potentials and further improve its revenue and margin generation.

Having weighed the aforementioned factors, the Lenzing Group confirms its guidance for the 2025 financial year of year-on-year higher EBITDA.

However, the current tariff dispute and the high level of uncertainty associated with it are dampening expectations and further limiting the visibility of earnings.

In structural terms, Lenzing continues to expect growth in demand for environmentally responsible fibers for the textile and apparel industry, as well as for the hygiene and medical sectors. As a consequence, Lenzing is very well positioned with its strategy and is driving ahead with not only profitable growth in specialty fibers but also the further expansion of its market leadership in the sustainability area.

Every year, millions of tons of PET and polyester waste end up in landfills or are incinerated, yet sustainable recycling solutions remain limited. DePoly - a leading sustainable PET-to-raw-material recycling company – announced the upcoming launch of a 500-tonne-per-year showcase plant in Monthey, Switzerland this summer, representing a critical step in the company's journey from laboratory breakthrough to industrial-scale implementation.

The facility will demonstrate DePoly's proprietary process that converts PET and polyester waste into virgin-quality raw materials without fossil fuels. Imagine a world where discarded items – from polyester shirts to water bottles – are not wasted anymore but resources transformed back into the building blocks for new products. After all, revolutionizing an industry isn't just about creating new technology – it's about proving it works at scale.

DePoly’s technology has already demonstrated its commercial impact through collaborations with some of the world’s leading companies—not only in fashion, like Odlo, but also in cosmetics and the broader consumer goods industry, including innovators such as PTI. Through these partnerships, DePoly has validated the quality of its recycled monomers by transforming PET waste into new bottles, high-performance textile fibers, and cosmetic packaging. This proves that DePoly’s recycled materials can meet, and even exceed, the highest standards of purity and performance across a wide range of industries.

By delivering oil-equivalent monomers, DePoly’s technology sets a new benchmark for circularity, offering a genuine alternative to virgin materials.

DePoly is ramping up with world-class innovators, bold thinkers and cutting-edge know-how—taking their pilot victory to industrial scale demands nothing less than unstoppable ambition. The company is planning to build a commercial plant in 2027 that will process significantly larger volumes of PET and polyester waste – a major leap in redefining recycling and advancing the circular economy, as DePoly strives to become the global leader in sustainable, circular plastics.

To further accelerate this expansion, DePoly has secured a total of $23 million in seed funding with MassMutual Ventures joining a second closing of its round. The expanded investor base positions DePoly as one of the biggest recycling technology companies in Europe, with more than $30 million raised across two rounds and grants. MassMutual Ventures joins existing investors, including Founderful, ACE & Company, Angel Invest, Zürcher Kantonalbank, BASF Venture Capital, Beiersdorf Venture Capital, and Syensqo.

The 93rd Textile Institute World Conference (TIWC 2025) will take place at the Porto Palácio Hotel and Spa in Porto, Portugal, from October 7-10 2025.

Fibre to Future – Transforming Fashion and Textiles through Sustainability, is the theme of this event which will explore how sustainability and digitalisation are reshaping the industry – from fibre production and manufacturing to consumer use and end-of-life solutions.

The fast-emerging new approaches to addressing sustainability challenges and the digital technologies that are now enhancing efficiency and transparency will be explored over the four-day programme, with insights from leading academics, industry experts and policymakers. Actionable strategies for reducing environmental impact, minimising waste, and embracing zero-carbon solutions in line with global sustainability goals will be highlighted.

“A key aim of the TWIC is to foster collaboration between industry and academia, creating a shared vision for a sustainable and digital future in textiles,” says Textile Institute CEO Stephanie Dick. “This year’s conference is hosted by AQUITEX, an established Portuguese specialist in the development of chemicals and auxiliaries for the textile industry – the first time a company has hosted the event. Join us in shaping the next chapter of the textile industry and be a part of the global conversation on sustainability and innovation.”

Thermore, a pioneer in responsible thermal insulation, introduces Ecodown Fibers Sync — a free fiber inspired by the physics of stellar fusion. This new development represents a perfect balance between high performance, luxurious touch, and mindful design. At the core of Ecodown Fibers Sync lies the power of dual-performance fibers, engineered to offer exceptional ultra-lofty softness and resilience. The result is a next-generation insulation with a cloud-like handfeel that resists clumping — a rare combination that ensures lasting volume, even after multiple washes.

This highly flexible insulation offers unmatched versatility, making it ideal for both streamlined for technical outerwear and voluminous for fashion silhouettes. Faithful to Thermore’s legacy, Ecodown Fibers Sync also marks a step forward in sustainable progress. Crafted entirely from 100% recycled fibers sourced from post-consumer PET bottles, it reflects the brand’s enduring commitment to a more responsible design. Every fiber tells a story of transformation — from waste to warmth, from plastic to purpose.

In line with Thermore’s quality standards, Ecodown Fibers Sync is certified GRS (Global Recycled Standard), confirming the authenticity of its recycled content and traceability throughout the production chain. Ecodown Fibers Sync is bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, ensuring that the product is free from harmful substances and meets the highest criteria for environmental and human safety. With this launch, Thermore redefines what thermal insulation can be — not just a functional layer, but a core element of a garment’s identity.

Heimtextil, the leading international trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design, is strategically expanding the Smart Bedding segment. A new exhibitor area will be created for the January 2026 edition: Sleep & Meet. This new format will take up around a quarter of Hall 4.0. Numerous well-known brands from the mattress sector have already registered to take part. With a clear structure and a high-quality environment, Sleep & Meet offers bedding retailers, hospitality and volume buyers direct access to relevant companies and industry participants, new product range perspectives and valuable business contacts.

Numerous strong German brands from the mattress sector will be exhibiting at Heimtextil 2026. Well-known companies such as Auping Germany, Bettwaren Stendebach, Erich Werkmeister, ergomed, Femira, Rummel and Schwarzwald Schlafsysteme are celebrating their premiere at Heimtextil 2026 and have already registered. The EuroComfort Group with Badenia, Brinkhaus, Lück and fan frankenstolz are significantly expanding their space at Heimtextil 2026.

Trade association Matratzen-Industrie e.V. will be present again
The trade association Matratzen-Industrie is also sending out a strong signal: the association will once again have its own stand at Heimtextil 2026. ‘Heimtextil offers the ideal platform to showcase the innovative strength and diversity of German mattress manufacturers internationally’, explains Martin Auerbach, Managing Director of the trade association Matratzen-Industrie.

DyStar, a leading specialty chemical company with a heritage of more than a century in product development and innovation, has been honored with three prestigious awards at the 2025 Provincial Occupational Safety and Health (P2K3) Awards, recognizing its exceptional performance in workplace safety and employee well-being.

The awards were presented by the Banten Provincial Government to PT. DyStar Colours Indonesia - Gabus Plant, the company’s largest manufacturing plant in Indonesia. DyStar received the following accolades:

• Platinum Award for Zero Accidents (2018–2024)
• Gold Award from the Committee of Occupational Safety & Health Development (P2K3)
• Silver Award for HIV & AIDS Prevention Program

Mr Clement Yang, Vice President of DyStar Global Manufacturing said, “DyStar is honored to be recognized for our collective commitment to health and safety. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our employees in upholding the highest safety standards as we pursue manufacturing excellence in a safe and responsible environment. Safety is a core value embedded in our global culture—one we consistently uphold across all our operations.”

Mr Sunarto Djuardi, Regional Vice President for DyStar Southeast Asia said, “Health and safety have been our highest priority since we commenced production at Gabus in 1997. These awards underscore DyStar’s ongoing commitment to fostering a proactive safety culture, adopting innovative risk management strategies, and maintaining consistent compliance with the highest occupational health and safety standards.”

The Platinum Award was granted in recognition of DyStar’s outstanding achievement of 3.1 million work hours assessed between 2018 and 2024 without a single accident. This remarkable record reflects the company’s disciplined safety culture and its dedication to protecting both employees and contractors.

The Gold Award, presented by the Committee of Occupational Safety & Health Development (P2K3), acknowledges DyStar’s success in maintaining an effective internal safety and health committee at the Gabus Plant, in compliance with national OHS regulations.

DyStar also received the Silver Award for its extraordinary efforts in promoting HIV/AIDS prevention programs in the workplace, reinforcing its commitment to creating not only a safe and pleasant working environment but also one that is inclusive and free from health-related discrimination.

As a company at the forefront of sustainability initiatives, these awards further highlight DyStar’s ongoing investment in employee well-being and strengthen its leadership in the global chemical manufacturing sector.

Under its Baldwin brand, BW Converting will partner with Fi-Tech, Inc. at Techtextil North America to demonstrate its TexCoat™ G4 precision spray finishing system, an advanced, sustainable solution designed to reduce chemical waste, minimize water usage and cut energy consumption in textile manufacturing.
Held May 6-8 in Atlanta, Techtextil North America is the premier event for technical textiles and nonwovens in the United States. BW Converting will be present in the Fi-Tech booth A3207 to connect with textile professionals seeking to streamline operations while improving finishing quality and sustainability outcomes.
 
The TexCoat G4 applies chemistry with pinpoint accuracy — on one or both sides of the fabric — with no contamination, overspray or dilution. By eliminating pad baths and reducing the frequency of changeovers, the system significantly improves operational efficiency.
 
Also featured at Techtextil North America will be BW Converting's Baldwin Plasma Pure surface modification technology. Plasma Pure boosts adhesion and uptake in dyeing, coating and laminating processes by optimizing surface energy at the molecular level, without the need for added chemicals.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, following remarks the Secretary made about the U.S. textile industry at this morning’s White House daily press briefing:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

On behalf of the U.S. textile industry and our 471,000 American workers, we appreciate the Trump administration’s efforts to advance an America First Trade Policy to reshore high-quality industrial jobs by addressing unfair trade practices that have harmed U.S. manufacturers and workers for decades. As you may know, our industry publicly endorsed President Trump’s America First Reciprocal Trade Plan and the White House included our endorsement in its April 3 press release highlighting statements of support for the president’s initiative.

We are writing to request a meeting at your convenience with our top industry leaders. We noted your comments today during the press conference that “President Trump is interested in the jobs of the future, not the jobs of the past. We don't need to necessarily have a booming textile industry where I grew up again, but we do want to have precision manufacturing and bring that back.” Our industry saw your remarks and were disheartened to hear this sentiment, especially since this industry has been noted by President Trump himself on a number of occasions as critical and strategic. The U.S. textile industry was proud to make lifesaving PPE during the first Trump Administration in response to COVID. The U.S. proudly makes over 8,000 different products to the U.S. military alone to ensure we do not have to rely on foreign adversaries to make essential products. This is a strategically important, relevant, and key industry – which is why we were pleased the White House amplified the industry again in its press release on reciprocal tariffs.´

Today we write to underscore the importance of our industry and the jobs it offers to thousands of workers, sustaining communities across the United States. The U.S. textile industry provides much-needed employment in rural areas and has functioned as a springboard for workers out of poverty into good-paying jobs for generations, including in your home state of South Carolina. Last year, the multifaceted U.S. textile supply chain directly employed 471,000 workers and produced shipments of man-made fiber, yarns, fabrics, apparel and non-apparel sewn products valued at $64 billion.

The United States exported $28 billion worth of textile-related goods to global markets in 2024, making it the second largest exporter of textile and apparel products in the world. Most U.S. textile exports go to Canada, Mexico, or other Western Hemisphere countries with which the United States has a free trade agreement for finishing and return to the U.S. as apparel. This vibrant production supply chain with our closest trading partners competes directly against imports from China and other countries in Asia that often deploy unfair, predatory trade practices, such as subsidized production, dumped exports, intellectual property theft, undervalued currency, abhorrent labor abuses, and unsustainable environmental practices.

Our industry proudly remains a world leader in textile innovation with unparalleled breadth and scope of manufacturing capabilities. Over the past 10 years, the U.S. textile industry made $22.3 billion in capital investments in pursuit of the latest innovations related to sustainability and production. This focus on innovation enables the industry to create tens of thousands of products including apparel, industrial textiles, and home furnishings.

With the right policies, the Trump administration can encourage the U.S. textile industry to reinvest in America, preserve and grow our existing workforce, and spur greater production and sales of American-made textiles now and in the future.

We would like to meet at your convenience to discuss the critical nature of the U.S. textile industry and how the Administration can help this key supply chain onshore jobs. Thank you for your consideration of this timely request.

Respectfully,
Kimberly Glas, President and CEO

On March 31, 2025, DEMGY Group took a decisive step in its international development strategy by acquiring the American company TOOL GAUGE, which specializes in the manufacture of plastic components for the interior of aircraft cabins. This acquisition will enable DEMGY to consolidate their position as one of the world leaders in high value-added plastics processing for civil and military aeronautics.

With this operation, DEMGY is extending its footprint on the North American market, a strategic territory for the aerospace sector. The American company, now renamed DEMGY Pacific, is thus joining a group already present in France, Germany, Romania and the United States, bringing the total number of the group's industrial sites to 10.

Recognized expertise for the benefit of American aerospace
Based in Tacoma, Washington State, TOOL GAUGE has nearly 60 years of experience in the processing of high-performance polymers and the machining of precision parts. Recognized for its operational excellence, it has been awarded the Silver Performance Excellence Award by Boeing for 9 consecutive years.

The company has two complementary production units: one dedicated to plastic injection, particularly for interior fittings in aircraft cabins, and the other specializing in the machining of metal and plastic parts. This technical expertise considerably strengthens DEMGY's offering to major clients in the aerospace sector.

Airbus, Boeing: DEMGY stands out as a key partner
This strategic acquisition enables DEMGY to become a tier 1 supplier for Boeing and Airbus, as well as a tier 2 supplier for all their equipment manufacturers in Europe and North America. This positioning considerably strengthens the group's visibility and attractiveness on the global aerospace market.

"By strengthening its leadership in high value-added plastics processing for the aerospace and defense industries, the DEMGY Group has become one of the world's leading, if not the leading, supplier of plastic parts for cabin interiors directly to Airbus and Boeing, as well as to all American and European aircraft equipment manufacturers," says Pierre-Jean LEDUC, Chairman and CEO of DEMGY Group. "This enables us to deploy our high and extreme performance plastics solutions on a much larger scale".

Integration driven by DEMGY Group's cross-functional synergies
DEMGY Pacific will be managed by Mike Walter, also President of DEMGY Chicago, and Eric Wilmoth, Vice-President of Operations. Both will be tasked with implementing industrial and commercial synergies with all the entities of the group, particularly in terms of injection, assembly and decoration.

This integration will promote the development of global solutions to meet the growing demands of the aerospace industry in terms of lightness, performance and durability.

Target of 200 million euros: managed growth
With its 10 industrial sites and 950 employees, DEMGY forecasts sales of over 130 million euros by 2025. Our group's ambition is to reach 200 million euros by 2030, capitalizing on its unique know-how, capacity for innovation and proximity to major customers.

Materials lightening at the heart of decarbonization
For several years, DEMGY has been committed to reducing the carbon footprint of industries, by designing polymer materials that are lighter than metal, durable and recyclable.Thanks to our circular Multiplasturgy® offer, we integrate eco-design from the product development phase.