#Sustainability

2020-10-15

Report launch: Fashion innovation landscape in India

In a first of its kind report, Fashion for Good together with Circular Apparel Innovation Factory provide a comprehensive overview of the “State of Circular Innovation in the Indian Fashion and Textile Industries”, outlining the opportunities and solutions across the Indian supply chains that are enabling the industry to leap towards sustainability. India is a global leader in manufacturing and one of the largest consumer markets for fashion.

The ongoing search for circular innovations to address the critical environmental challenges unique to the industry requires context to factor in the nuances and uniqueness of the local landscape. This report, mapping the entire landscape, showcases the opportunities driving the industry in India forward.

“This report is not only an in-depth look into the Indian innovation landscape, but an invaluable tool for anyone looking to make a positive impact in the region. With action and all industry actors coming together to capitalise on these innovations, India is positioned to transform the fashion industry towards circularity.” – Katrin Ley, Managing Director, Fashion for Good

Fashion for Good together with regional partner Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF) have combined their knowledge of India’s sustainable fashion sector, identifying both the opportunities and challenges. Several key innovators were consulted to include their insights, knowledge and expertise in this space, to give further context and nuance to this ever-evolving landscape.

“Innovators and their innovations have been the bed-rock of human progress and evolution from the very early civilisations. This truly collaborative effort, which maps and surfaces the amazing work already happening, helps reframe our mindset from ‘what’s not working?’ to one that asks ‘what’s working despite the odds?’. The challenges plaguing the industry have been well documented, discussed and debated. Perhaps it’s time to shift the narrative to solutions. This work does just that.“ – Venkat Kotamaraju, Director, Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF)

First Innovation Landscape in India

This is the first time an overview has been compiled for the Indian innovation landscape, mapping the innovations that exist in India and the state of innovation across the supply chain, from raw materials through to end-of-use. The report highlights the exciting developments and momentum with which the region is accelerating towards circularity. Areas for additional attention and investment are also identified, providing an indispensable resource for stakeholders and investors wanting to better understand the sector and take the appropriate steps to maximise positive impact.

“We see great momentum for sustainable materials and production technologies over the last five years. We have adopted many such technologies in our manufacturing facilities and are committed to creating a circular production system.” – Abhishek Bansal, Head of Sustainability at Arvind Limited

The report will be made publicly available during a live session “India’s Future in Textile Manufacturing” hosted by CAIF on the 15th of October. The session features experts from Fashion for Good, CAIF, Arvind Limited and Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Limited (ABFRL), India’s largest manufacturing and retail branded-fashion apparel company. The discussion will cover report findings as well as tangible examples of innovation with innovators KB Cols and Textile Genesis providing insights into their solutions and journey towards widespread adoption.

“We hope that this research feeds into the growing global movement towards sustainability and circularity. Given India’s importance in the fashion industry, this report mapping innovations and actions the industry can take to enable that circular economy is critical and we hope that it shapes the industry’s transition.” – Lakshmi Poti, Senior Programme Manager, Materials, Laudes Foundation

Download:

tinyurl.com/y3x4rw8u

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

180 years of TESTEX: From Zurich silk testing to global certification

For 180 years, TESTEX has developed alongside the textile industry while maintaining the same underlying purpose: creating trust through independent and reliable measurement. Founded in Zurich in 1846 as the Zurich Silk Conditioning Institute, TESTEX has grown from a local institution serving the silk trade into an international Swiss testing and certification institute for textiles and leather.

Cascale launches member-led process to shape 2030 strategy

Cascale has launched a member-led process to define the industry alliance’s strategic direction for the next decade. At the Cascale Annual Meeting 2026 in Athens, CEO Ying McGuire announced that members will contribute to an industry system map that will inform Cascale’s 10-year vision, its 2030 strategy and priorities for 2027. The new strategy is scheduled to be finalized in December.

EFI and Agfa’s DPS Business to combine andform a global, full-service industrial inkjet company

Electronics for Imaging, Inc. (“EFI”), a leading industrial inkjet business and portfolio company of Siris, and Agfa-Gevaert (“Agfa”) today announced a definitive agreement to combine Agfa’s Digital Printing Solutions business (“Agfa DPS”) with EFI. An affiliate of Siris will hold a 60% interest and Agfa will hold a 40% interest in the jointly held company, which will bring together the operating capabilities of EFI and Agfa DPS under a governance structure whereby Siris and Agfa will act as equal partners.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.