#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2022-07-28

Esquel Group secures first Green Loan from Bank of China (Hong Kong)

Esquel Group (“Esquel” or the “Group”) secured its first Green Loan of USD88 million from Bank of China (Hong Kong) (“BOCHK”). The Group will be using proceeds from the Green Loan to finance or refinance capital expenditures on eligible sustainable projects that are a part of ongoing efforts to implement green initiatives at its campuses and generate positive environmental benefits. BOCHK acted as the green finance consultant for Esquel, working with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) to complete the formulation and certification of the green loan framework.

The loan proceeds will go towards refinancing Integral, Esquel’s Sustainable Development Garden in Guilin, as well as funding projects that will improve energy efficiency, wastewater treatment and pollution prevention at its manufacturing sites. Investments in energy efficiency projects will allow the Group to upgrade powerplant turbines and air compression technology, build high-efficiency solar panels on rooftops, refine steam collection processes for better heating, improve lighting panels, and more.

Esquel will also invest in further research and development for its flagship wastewater treatment plant in Foshan, one of the largest within the textile industry in China.

Andy Kwok, BOCHK’s Deputy General Manager said, “Esquel, a leading enterprise in the textile industry, has been keen to harness the latest technologies to achieve its goals of providing quality employment, green manufacturing and sustainable development. BOCHK is delighted to collaborate with Esquel on green loans to support its vision of net zero emissions.”

Wilkie Wong, Esquel’s Chief Financial Officer said, “As a family-owned private business, we have been persistently holding on our vision and mission on Green and Sustainability for a long time. And as a first step tapping into the green financial market this year, we are proud to secure a Green Loan from BOCHK and a Green Finance Certificate from HKQAA. Both achievements demonstrate our commitment to sustainable development. We want to thank BOCHK for their support, and we are delighted to work with such a forward-looking partner to encourage green financing. This loan will allow us to continually innovate more eco-friendly production processes to minimize our environmental impact, as we work towards our pledge to achieve Net Zero by 2050.”

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

HKUST & Esquel unveil five-year study: Empowering students for sustainable innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) has partnered with Esquel Enterprises Limited (“Esquel Group”) to launch a five-year study program that allows HKUST students to conduct biannual field research at the textile manufacturer’s 500,000-square-meter Sustainable Development Garden Integral, recognized as one of China’s top 20 sustainable development projects by the United Nations.

Official approval granted for Esquel Group’s new Sea Island Cotton variety "Yuan Loong 30"

Esquel Group Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed a new self-bred Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) variety named "Yuan Loong 30," which has been officially approved and designated by the 11th Main Crop Variety Assessment Committee of Xinjiang. With this addition, Esquel has now successfully bred and named a total of six Sea Island cotton varieties, including "Xinhai 33", "Xinhai 50", "Xinhai 55", "Xinhai 63", "Yuan Loong 17" and "Yuan Loong 30".

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

STFI highlights textile circular economy and alternative fibres at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world's leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschung- sinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research. In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.