#Raw Materials

2022-01-20

‘Review’ articles ask: What in the world is going on with global logistics in cotton?

No sector of the cotton & textile supply chain went through more chaos over the past two years than shipping and logistics, which continue to be plagued by a host of issues including the following.

Delays at ports, where ships are often parked offshore for days or weeks before they can be unloaded,

Lack of space at port warehouses,

Lack of truckers to pick up goods and carry them inland,

Lack of available containers, and

Wild and expensive swings in freight rates.

There are, however, some positives that are expected to emerge from this global shipping mess. For example, the Australian government is reviewing the entire country's maritime shipping and logistics systems to remove bottlenecks and increase technology adoption. In India, e-invoicing and the goods and services tax have streamlined interior logistics, while businesses in the United States are reconsidering just-in-time inventory and looking for new incentives for shippers, truckers and port workers to ensure the labour is available when it's needed.

With new virus variants still emerging and global logistics challenges still mounting, no one is quite sure when things will get back to normal — or even what normal will look like when the pandemic is over. But as one of the authors concluded, all stakeholders in the cotton supply chain should be using this time to evaluate their processes and operations so they will be better prepared the next time disaster strikes.

To view this FREE edition of ‘Cotton: Review of the World Situation’, please click here:

https://www.icac.org/Publications/PastIssues?Id=64

Executive Summary

Highlights from the current issue of the ‘Review’ include:

• Five articles focussing on shipping and logistics in different parts of the world

• The regions covered are Australia, Brazil, India, Taiwan and the United States

• The challenges are affecting all areas: ports, shipping, warehousing and trucking

• However, while the problems are daunting and still piling up, stakeholders across the globe are using this time to reevaluate their operations and upgrade them so they're better prepared for the next disaster

To make matters worse, any type of scheduling delay can cause a cascade of new problems further downstream, making uncertainty the only given in today's supply chain.

Global cotton consumption to exceed production in 2026/27 as Asian demand remains resilient

Global cotton consumption is projected to exceed production in the 2026/27 season as output declines across several major producing countries while demand remains relatively stable, according to the November edition of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

ICAC announces 84th Plenary Meeting in Egypt with focus on cotton industry resilience

Registration is now open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, which will take place from 24 to 26 March 2027 in Alexandria, Egypt. The conference will address climate resilience, technological developments, sustainability and competitiveness across the global cotton and textile value chain.

New Cotton Review examines competitiveness, market risk, and opportunities

From moving record volumes of Brazilian cotton to market, to managing price volatility, unlocking Ethiopia’s production potential, and strengthening African textile trade, the latest edition of Cotton: Review of the World Situation examines some of the most consequential opportunities and challenges facing the global cotton industry.

Kraig Labs ships first commercial spider silk yarn

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced the shipment of its first commercial order of recombinant spider silk yarn. The custom-engineered yarn was produced to fulfill a purchase commitment from a globally recognized performance sports brand and is slated for development into a first-of-its-kind performance textile.

ALLIED expands down traceability with lot-level carbon footprint data

ALLIED Feather + Down has expanded its TrackMyDown traceability platform to include validated cradle-to-gate carbon footprint data linked to individual down lots. The initiative is designed to provide brands and consumers with more detailed environmental information on the materials used in finished products and could also support future data requirements associated with Digital Product Passports.

ICAC’s 84th Plenary Meeting to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt

Registration will soon be open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt. The local Organizing Committee in Egypt has chosen “Building a Resilient and Competitive Future for Cotton and Textiles” as the theme for the event, which will be held at the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Resort.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris marks 30th anniversary with a redesigned exhibition concept

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will celebrate its 30th anniversary from 25 to 27 January 2027 at the Paris-Le-Bourget Exhibition Centre. With more than 1,000 international exhibitors expected, the anniversary edition will introduce a redesigned exhibition layout across Halls 3 and 4, bringing fabric manufacturers and garment producers closer together. The event will also highlight Spring-Summer 2028 trends, sustainable sourcing and new opportunities for international textile trade.

Trützschler expands technical service capabilities for spinning mills in Pakistan

Faster support, shorter downtime and advanced repair capabilities: customers across Pakistan can now benefit from the Trützschler Service Station at its new location in Lahore. By combining Trützschler service expertise with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, the new facility helps spinning mills resolve technical issues more quickly and maintain reliable production.

New momentum for British textile machinery in India

The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is looking to India ITME 2026 as a major opportunity to strengthen industrial partnerships and mutually expand exports, following the introduction of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and the formation of the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition (UKITMC).