#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2025-09-18

Toray Industries and MAS Holdings announce Joint Venture in Odisha, India

Toray Industries (H.K.) Ltd., has officially entered a joint venture with South Asia’s largest apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings, marking a unique opportunity to enhance the two companies’ supply chain capabilities and pursue product manufacturing within and for the fast-growing Indian market. The joint venture, operating under the name Toray MAS Apparel India, will see the establishment of a new manufacturing facility at the MAS Apparel Park Bhuinpur in Odisha, India, which is currently under development.

from left to right: Yasukochi Akira - Sales Director, Toray MAS Apparel India, Teruki Umeda - Managing Director, Toray MAS Apparel India, Teruo Funhashi - Managing Director, Toray Hong Kong, Malik Ahamadeen - CEO, MAS India, Suren Fernando - Group CEO, MAS Holdings, Shakthi Ranatunga - Chief Operating Officer, MAS Holdings, Rajitha Jayasuriya - Director, Corporate Affairs, MAS Holdings, Sid Amalean, Director – Innovation & Business Strategy, MAS Holdings, Surath Chandrasena, Finance Director, MAS Holdings. © 2025 Toray MAS Apparel India

The groundbreaking for the MAS Apparel Park took place earlier this year in March 2025, with operations expected to commence in early 2026. The new facility is aimed at catering to both current and potential customers in the region, supporting the growing demand for high-quality, innovative textile solutions.

The official signing ceremony for the partnership took place in June at the MAS Head Office in Colombo, with Teruo Funahashi, Managing Director of Toray Hong Kong, and Suren Fernando, Group Chief Executive Officer of MAS Holdings, representing the two organizations.

Commenting on the partnership, Teruo Funahashi, Managing Director of Toray Hong Kong, said “Toray MAS Apparel India will contribute to local employment and economic growth by manufacturing advanced, top-quality offerings. That company will serve as a garment stronghold in India for Toray and MAS Holdings, reinforcing their partnership by deploying strategies that capitalize on their capabilities”.

Suren Fernando, Group CEO of MAS Holdings stated "This joint venture marks a significant step forward in strengthening our global supply network and deepening our partnership with Toray Industries. The Odisha facility will play a key role in supporting our customers’ evolving needs, driving innovation and contributing to regional economic development. In today’s global economic landscape, strategic partnerships like this are key to enhancing our capabilities and continuing to deliver value-added solutions to our customers."

The collaboration builds on MAS Holdings' extensive apparel manufacturing expertise and Toray Industries' advanced material technologies, positioning Toray MAS to deliver innovative products to global brands while fostering economic growth and job creation in Odisha.

The operation being set up aims to advance sustainability by incorporating renewable energy solutions such as rooftop solar PV, energy-efficient technologies across operations, and advanced water and wastewater management systems. The facility is also being designed to ensure universal accessibility, integrating environmentally responsible practices in waste and chemical management, aligning its future operations with both environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.

Carrington Textiles publishes third Sustainability Report

Carrington Textiles has announced the publication of the third Sustainability Report from the RTS Textiles Group, highlighting another year of progress towards more responsible manufacturing across its global operations. The report outlines continued investment in technologies and initiatives designed to improve environmental performance and support long-term business resilience across the Group’s manufacturing facilities in the UK, Portugal and Pakistan.

YKK develops concept EXCELLA® zipper tape using nonwoven fabric partially derived from used clothing

YKK Corporation has developed a concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series made from nonwoven fabric sheets created by fiberizing used clothing and other textile materials. Based on a proposal by fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, this item was created as a result of collaboration between Nakazato, Seiko Epson Corporation and YKK. The concept zipper was incorporated as a material component for pieces in the newest YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Collection, “INFERNO,” which was unveiled in Paris, France on July 8, 2026.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris highlights evolving global sourcing landscape

From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will bring together more than 1,000 international exhibitors at Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Centre. This edition reflects the new global balance of textile and apparel sourcing, highlighting a strong diversity of sourcing countries — some unexpected.

ITMA 2027 receives strong industry response

ITMA 2027 has unveiled its sector plan, marking progress towards the 2027 edition as planning continues ahead of the show. The ITMA 2027 sector plan covers 12 halls at the Messegelände Hannover venue, spanning over 180,000 square metres, and features 20 sectors of the textile and garment making processes, from spinning to finishing, software and automation, recycling, and fibres, yarns and fabrics.

Heimtextil expands Bed, Bath & Living with new ‘Comfort & Connect’ area

Heimtextil is expanding its product range for Bed, Bath & Living in a targeted manner: ‘Comfort & Connect‘ is creating a new meeting place in the foyer of Hall 5.1 for high-quality bed, bath and lifestyle collections. Following on from ‘Sleep & Meet‘, this is now the second area where Heimtextil is further refining its offering for exhibitors and buyers. The new area brings together established brands, high-profile returning exhibitors and international buyers in a central location with easy access.

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.