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 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.”

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.

Monforts will exhibit at the upcoming Morocco Stitch & Tex 2025 exhibition which is taking place at the Casablanca International Fairground (OFEC) from May 13-15 at a critical juncture for the region’s textile manufacturers.

North African countries are currently looking to bolster their strong garment manufacturing operations with an expansion of textile production and finishing capacity, particularly with a view to exploiting the many benefits of the region’s close proximity to Europe and its cost and operational advantages. Morocco is already in the top ten of suppliers to the EU and has also had a free trade agreement with the USA since 2006. It further looks set to emerge as a beneficiary of the recently-proposed new tariffs on imports to the USA – if they eventually go ahead – compared to its competitors in Asia.

As a specialist in advanced technology for fabric finishing, Monforts is well positioned to help.

Industry standard
Montex stenters for fabric finishing are the industry standard, particularly in the sectors of denim and home textiles, providing a number of advantages in terms of production throughput and especially in energy efficiency and savings. The other key technologies in the company’s range include relaxation dryers, Thermex dyeing ranges, Monfortex compressive shrinking ranges and MontexCoat and coaTTex coating units.

In 2024, Monforts celebrated its 140th anniversary and its technologies are based on successive industry developments and know-how accummulated over many decades. The company was founded in 1884 in Mönchengladbach in Germany where it is still headquartered and where its Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) for fully industrial testing and trials for customers is also situated. Monforts machines have been manufactured at the company’s plant in Austria since 1982.

Retrofitting
Textile companies making major capital investments in new manufacturing lines rely on durability and it’s for this reason that there are currently an estimated 2,000 Monforts machines in operation worldwide – some of which were first installed over 30 years ago. This doesn’t mean, however, that they can’t benefit from many of the advances in performance and automation that have subsequently been made by Monforts. The retrofitting of specific modules with new control and drive technology – going far beyond the basic replacement of spare parts – can have a significant impact on the performance of an existing line.

Double-digit increases
“We have a strong presence in North Africa, particularly in Morocco, Algeria and Egypt, which remain key markets for us,” says Monforts Area Sales Manager Achim Gesser who will be at the show at stand D4 with specialists from Unionmatex, the company’s regional partner. “Imports of European textile machinery to Morocco have already been increasing in double-digit figures over the past few years and some exciting projects are currently underway there.”

These include plans to construct Africa’s largest textiles and garment manufacturing city in Morocco based on 568 factories and representing a planned investment of US$2 billion.

“There has been a lot of interest, in particular from Turkish textile manufacturers, in expanding their operations to North Africa and with over 600 line installations already established in Turkiye we have built up a lot of close relationships with the major textile manufacturers there,” Gesser adds. “We expect a lot of these companies to be at this major exhibition in Morocco, especially as it is covering the complete supply chain – from machinery and fibre and yarn suppliers to finished garment specialists. The Moroccan government’s Vision 2025 programme is targeting earnings of $10 billion for the clothing and garment sector at an average annual growth rate of 15% over the next five years and we are keen to help companies looking to contribute to this unprecedented growth.”

As the Indian textile and apparel sector embraces digitisation, sustainability, smarter production and responsible manufacturing, Gartex Texprocess India emerges as a critical node in this narrative bringing together the textile and garment machinery manufacturers, denim mill owners, digital textile printing technology solution providers, as well as manufacturers of apparel fabrics, textile and textile processing machinery and more, who are set to unfold innovations. With 125+ participating companies, representing 300+ brands and growing participation from international countries, this edition will offer a panoramic view of the sectors next chapter.

India’s textile industry often referred to as the lifeblood of nations manufacturing economy, is on the cusp of a technology-led transformation. Leading this evolution is Gartex Texprocess India – Mumbai organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd. The expo is a definitive sourcing and innovation platform growing with global participation and solutions for the future.

What sets this edition apart is its focused attention on technology integration, automation and responsible manufacturing – themes that are redefining how India produces, sources and innovates on the global textile map through its product showcase as well as curated knowledge sessions.

A global showcase:
Making headlines this year is the strong international participation especially from China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and a dedicated pavilion for Taiwan, along with the leading Indian companies on board. Displaying a wide range of products for the garment and textile manufacturing industry. A few international names include: EPSON, Kornit and MACPI International among others. Some will participate directly and some through their partners and distributors. This global representation is matched with a stellar Indian line-up featuring names such as Balaji Sewing Machines, DCC, EH Turel, Mexum, Pantone and Sky Enterprises amongst others.

Denim Takes Centre Stage:
With the backing of Denim Manufacturers Association, the Denim Show at Gartex Texprocess India is expected to bring together all the major denim manufacturers and mill owners from India under one roof. As Indian denim exports steadily rise and demand for eco-conscious denim production grows, the show provides a much-needed window into how this resilient segment is re-inventing itself with sustainability and style at its core.

Trims & Accessories:
Beyond denim, this edition places a sharp focus on innovative fabric solutions, trims, digital screen printing and accessories – with dedicated zones for the Fabrics and Trims shows and Screen-Print India - Textile.

With 25+ new entrants and expanding categories, the Mumbai edition will be a hotspot for denim designers, boutique owners, apparel brands and labels, garment manufacturers, dyeing and finishing companies, distributors and agents of textile and garment machinery and accessories, merchandisers and sourcing heads scouting for the latest in material and design and more.

As India marches towards becoming a global textile powerhouse, Gartex Texprocess India – Mumbai 2025 will serve as the ultimate confluence of technology, talent and trade, weaving together a stronger future for the Indian textile industry.

Gartex Texprocess India is a leading exhibition in the textile manufacturing technology with collocated show: The Denim Show’ and dedicated featured zones of ‘Fabrics and Trims Show’ and ‘Screen Print India – Textile’ making this a one-stop destination for the textile manufacturing.

The expo is jointly organised by MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Messe Frankfurt Trade Fair India Pvt Ltd. Gartex Texprocess India Mumbai and is scheduled from 22 – 24 May 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

After the successful spring edition of PERFORMANCE DAYS in Munich in March, the Functional Fabric Fair Spring 2025, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS, made a strong statement in a market still facing global supply chain turbulence: With a 9% increase in attendance and a 30% expansion of the exhibition space at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, the event from April 14–16 brought together over 320 sustainably certified suppliers with decision-makers from leading performance and outdoor brands such as Adidas, Patagonia, REI, Nike, and Vuori.

"In times of economic uncertainty and continued volatility in global supply chains, the 100% exhibitor participation underscores the relevance of our event," said Steve McCullough, Event Vice President. The focus was clearly on resilient partnerships and forward-looking sourcing for the 2026/2027 collections.

Highlights and Innovation
Parallel to PERFORMANCE DAYS in Munich, the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland featured carefully curated theme areas that promoted targeted exchanges between brands and suppliers, offering visitors valuable market insights and hands-on experience with innovative materials – a perfect complement to the event’s comprehensive educational program.

Strong program & networking
The sold-out “DAY 0” Sustainability Workshop (230+ attendees) set the tone with keynote speaker Jill Dumain, addressing material traceability. In the following days, practical Expert Talks were held on the show floor. Event highlights also included:

• • Design Lab Live with designer Kelley Dempsey
• • Guided tours & after-hour events for networking

A common takeaway from many exhibitors and visitors: The Functional Fabric Fair is an essential industry meeting point for forward-thinking sourcing and innovation in the textile sector.

"This event has become a fixed point in my sourcing calendar," says Cassia Lewis Cameron from Patagonia. "With some of the most advanced and sustainable suppliers in the industry, the pre-vetted supplier list saves us a lot of time in the qualification process – and gives us direct access to innovation partners we can trust, even when global logistics systems are under pressure."

Exhibitors also appreciate the fair as an efficient industry meeting point: "The Functional Fabric Fair allows us to have many relevant meetings in a short amount of time – with other suppliers we work with as well as with brands and designers," says John Holiday from YKK USA. "We were able to achieve a lot in just a few days."

From April 24 to 26, the Karachi Expo Center hosts a new edition of Igatex, Pakistan’s leading textile‑industry trade fair. At a decisive moment for the region’s manufacturing sector, Jeanologia presents its proposal for technological integration to drive modernization through automation, sustainability, and productivity.

With nearly two decades of presence in Pakistan, Jeanologia has helped transform the local production landscape by promoting competitive models based on cutting‑edge technologies such as laser, ozone, e‑Flow, and water‑recycling systems like H2Zero. Designed to be accessible to both small workshops and large corporations, these solutions have enabled more sustainable and efficient denim production—reducing water consumption by up to 85%, minimizing chemical use, and ensuring safer processes for workers.

At this year’s Igatex, Jeanologia is highlighting the potential of its laser technology to automate processes and optimize marking quality and speed—critical factors for boosting productivity and lowering cost per garment. It will unveil Compact Super, the fastest laser machine on the market, as part of its portfolio of high‑productivity solutions built on intelligence, speed, and precision—elements essential for the future of the textile sector, especially denim.

All these innovations converge in the Laundry 5.Zero model, the first denim‑finishing plant to guarantee zero pollution. Already operational in Pakistan, this solution represents the evolution from traditional factories to fully digital, scalable production systems with a neutral cost balance.

Pakistan: a strategic hub in the new global manufacturing map
With 8.5% of its GDP tied to textiles, Pakistan has established itself as a key node in the new global manufacturing map. Its favorable cost structure and robust production facilities make it a strategic destination for global textile operators. Jeanologia works closely with local mills, brands, and exporters to accelerate this transformation and reinforce the country’s leadership in the sustainable denim era.

With over 35% of the world’s five billion annual jeans produced using its technologies, the Spanish company consolidates its position as a strategic partner for brands, manufacturers, and exporters worldwide reaffirming its mission to transform the textile industry through innovation and sustainability.

By participating in Igatex 2025, Jeanologia underscores that the future of textile manufacturing lies in digitalization, automation, and sustainability—recognizing Pakistan as a pivotal hub in this transformative process.