AGP Executive Report

Textile supply chain hit by war: Ukraine’s Kyiv strike destroyed the main production and logistics hub of TK-Home Textiles (Textile-Contact), forcing the firm to relocate and rebuild sewing, knitting and ultrasonic fabric welding capacity in other regions. Fashion & home-textiles under pressure: Another Kyiv strike reportedly left “Domashniy Tekstil” facilities in ruins, underscoring how conflict is disrupting fabric and home-textile production. Circular textiles in the UK: M&S, New Look and Sainsbury’s teamed up with Oxfam to scale textile recycling, while a new UK “Circuit” initiative will test ways to recover non-reusable post-consumer textiles for fibre-to-fibre recycling starting Jan 2027. Trade & policy signals for cotton: The U.S. Buying American Cotton Act reached 100 House co-sponsors, backed by the National Cotton Council as demand support for American cotton and textile manufacturing. Industry innovation at trade shows: Heimtextil 2027 expands its New Talent Area, adding 30+ young designers focused on bio-based, circular and sustainable textile concepts. Textile safety & compliance: States are tightening PFAS reporting and labeling rules, adding new disclosure burdens for manufacturers selling into affected markets. Creative textiles spotlight: Bradford’s Flower Carpet returns with a textile-city theme, using hundreds of thousands of dahlias grown for a short, low-waste public display.

Retail & Standards Expansion: UL Solutions expanded its Lowell Retail Center of Excellence to add apparel and textiles testing alongside furniture, toys and electronics, aiming to help retailers spot issues earlier. Workwear & PPE Sourcing: Hangzhou Huahao pushed its winter workwear, multinorm protective garments, OEKO-TEX softshells and European coveralls positioning, with buyers spotlighting performance for harsh conditions. Outdoor Gear Supply Chain: Intertextile FAQ coverage focused on how technical apparel suppliers move from blueprinting to logistics and support, using technical jackets as the example. Textile Machinery Watch: A Zhuji sourcing guide highlighted five yarn winding supplier options for manufacturers looking to streamline winding, reeling and yarn-prep equipment procurement. Pet Accessories Manufacturing: Ninghai Beirui promoted retractable dog leashes as demand grows for practical, durable pet products. Safety Spotlight: A deadly denim-washing factory fire in Guangdong killed eight and injured one, adding to a week of garment and factory safety concerns. Trade & Cotton: The U.S.-Africa Trade Desk formally announced the Trans-Atlantic Cotton Partnership, using traceable U.S. cotton to link farms to African manufacturing. UK Circular Textiles: M&S, New Look and Sainsbury’s joined Oxfam to scale textile recycling and turn old clothes into new textiles. Industrial Policy in India: Odisha cleared 27 industrial projects worth over Rs 2.45 lakh crore, including textiles among sectors, targeting 50,000+ jobs. Pakistan Cotton Focus: Reporting questioned whether Pakistan’s cotton yield gaps are only about seed quality, pointing to big per-acre differences across provinces. UK Education Pressure: Craft Scotland urged Edinburgh College of Art to reverse closures affecting Textiles and Performance Costume. Local Textile Market Crime: An ex-employee was arrested in Surat for allegedly setting fire to a textile market over unpaid dues, causing major damage.

Circular Textiles in the UK: M&S, New Look, Sainsbury’s and Oxfam team up with Circle-8 on “The Circuit,” aiming to sort and pre-process post-consumer clothes into future raw materials, with automated sorting and traceability work starting at Oxfam’s Batley facility in January. AI in Manufacturing: Safran Nacelles hosted a National Manufacturing Day event urging firms to use AI for productivity while staying skeptical about “AI fatigue,” skills gaps, and data/security concerns. Trade & Exports: India says exports to China rose 36% in 2025-26 and wants more market access, flagging textiles among growth sectors. Nigeria Industrial Push: The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria warns that foreign supply dependence could derail industrial ambitions and calls for stronger domestic capacity. Textile Sector Skills & Livelihoods: India’s Lakhpati Didi initiative held its first 2026–27 DLSC meeting in Anjaw, including handloom and textiles support for women-led livelihoods. Fashion’s Archive Turn: 2026 continues the trend of brands mining their own archives for storytelling, from Versace to Prada. Local Textile Ecosystems: Bulawayo highlights a textile manufacturing centre as part of Zimbabwe’s wider industrial revival under Vision 2030.

Crowd Control at Heritage Site: The British Museum has banned photography (and sketching) at its Bayeux Tapestry blockbuster after visitors’ phone stops slowed foot traffic, with the museum citing “enormous interest” and better visitor flow. Fashion & Craft Spotlight: Chanakya, a key Indian embroidery atelier for Europe’s luxury houses, is pushing for clearer artisan attribution as it marks 40 years with new exhibitions in Mumbai. Textile Industry Pressure in India: Surat’s embroidery/textile workforce is facing unrest tied to yarn prices, power costs, and labor-law implementation; local chambers say eight-hour shifts and Sunday offs are “not applicable.” Supply Chain & Trade Signals: A report says India’s apparel export share stayed stuck around 3% in 2025 despite China losing ground, pointing to China+1 and trade access as openings. Sustainability Policy Clash: After an EU deforestation exemption for leather, the leather sector is trying to rebuild trust amid claims the rules create a loophole. Innovation in Textile Processing: Archroma debuted an all-in-one dye process for cellulosic wovens, aiming to streamline coloration. Global Skills Showcase: WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 opened with a major ceremony under “Master Skills, Change Your Future,” highlighting hands-on capability.

Textile Heritage Meets New Tech: Malaysia’s Merdeka Textile Museum is using digital tools, interactive displays and AR to bring traditional garments and weaving techniques to younger visitors, spotlighting the Azah Aziz Treasure Collection. Museum & Conservation Industry: Margaret’s The Couture Cleaner will sponsor and exhibit at the Western Museums Association annual meeting, underscoring growing demand for specialized care of historic textiles and luxury garments. Community Craft & Natural Dyes: Kumalarang in Zamboanga del Sur is training local weavers to extract eco-friendly natural dyes (like turmeric and mahogany bark) to boost the value of century-old mat weaving. Fashion & Culture Spotlight: A Filipino-American artist praised National Artist for Design Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro for her Filipiniana couture work and push for more space for Filipinas in creative industries. New Apparel Fiber Breakthrough: The FTC approved Everbloom’s protein waste fibre renoa, the first new apparel fibre classification in nearly 25 years, made from keratin-rich textile waste. Policy for Textile Inputs: Bosnia and Herzegovina temporarily suspends or cuts customs duties on key imported materials used by exporters, including textiles and footwear, until Dec. 31, 2027. Trade Deal Watch: India’s Oct. 20 start date for the India–New Zealand FTA is set to reduce tariffs on items including wool and raw hides, with quotas for kiwi, apples and Manuka honey. Sustainability in Action: A local “fix it” event will offer hands-on repair help for household items and clothing mending, aiming to keep textiles in use longer.

Trade Policy Shock: The U.S. Lindsey O Graham Sanctions Bill signed by Trump could trigger up to 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas, putting India and other textile-linked exporters on alert as costs and routes get disrupted. Free-Trade Push for Textiles: India–New Zealand’s FTA is ratified and set to start Oct 20, with 100% duty-free access for Indian goods from day one—an implementation deadline for customs and exporters. Safety & Supply Disruption: Two separate textile-factory fires in China (Guangdong/Foshan and Shunde) killed at least eight people and injured one, with causes under investigation—another reminder of operational risk in denim and washing. Market & Demand Signals: India’s jute sector is forecast to grow volume about 15% in FY27 as raw prices ease and demand improves, supporting downstream home textiles. Regulation for Cleaner Trade: Nigeria plans tighter Special Economic Zone rules, targeting diversion of export goods into the domestic market while pushing export orientation. Innovation in Fibers: The FTC approved Everbloom’s renoa regenerated fiber, creating a new U.S. apparel fiber category from keratin-rich textile waste. Business Pressure in Home Textiles: U.K. brand Designers Guild moves toward bankruptcy, with major U.S. partners pausing orders tied to its fabric and wallcovering licenses. Industry Events: Vietnam will host HanoiTex & HanoiFabric 2026 in Hanoi Oct 21–23, spotlighting machinery, fabrics, and greener production tech.

Trade & Tariffs: India-New Zealand’s FTA is set to start on October 20, with New Zealand removing up to 10% peak tariffs on key Indian exports including textiles and apparel, while India also gets tariff-free access to inputs; officials say the deal should unlock broader market access and investment over the next 15 years. Skills for Sustainability: Kenya’s TVET system is being pushed to fully adopt a green curriculum, with a focus on teaching students how to turn waste into products and jobs as climate pressures reshape local livelihoods. Textile Safety: A textile factory fire in China’s Foshan (Guangdong) killed eight and injured one; reports say the blaze was contained within about an hour and is under investigation. Materials & Innovation: Emergent Galaxy Textiles introduces a renewable yarn hybrid fabric using a needle punch process, marketed with multiple environmental certifications. Industry & Infrastructure: Uzbekistan is studying participation in a railway linking Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan to Türkiye to diversify routes for exporting goods including textiles, with logistics projects also reviewed at ports. Craft & Culture: Scotland’s craft sector faces potential damage as design groups warn programme closures will “devastate” education for makers, including textiles-related courses. Sericulture Breakthrough: India’s Central Sericultural research has released a new temperate mulberry variety (CPP-01) aimed at improving leaf availability and yields for cooler regions.

Sourcing Watch: Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris (31 Aug–2 Sep) wrapped with 1,054 exhibitors and 146 first-timers, as buyers push for more responsive, innovative and diversified sourcing amid a tense market. Supply Chain Safety: A textile factory fire in Foshan, Guangdong killed at least 8 and injured 1, with rescue still underway. Trade Access: Vietnam’s EVFTA tariff liberalisation hits a key milestone, cutting duties on about 99% of tariff lines to zero and raising the bar on quality, origin and sustainability for EU-bound exporters. Durability Push: WRAP’s Durability Accelerator urges brands to prove garments are built to last, citing durability as a top purchase driver and warning that common assumptions fail testing. Recycling Tech: SINGTEX™ launched RePUra™, a chemical textile-to-textile route aimed at regenerating PU-related materials from complex performance fabric waste. Energy & Competitiveness: Pakistan stakeholders say power-market reforms must deliver reliable, transparent energy for export textiles, linking competitiveness to procurement, ESG and decarbonisation. Local Industry Support: Ghana’s industrial summit in Accra highlighted incentives, duty-free machinery and a renewable energy pipeline to back manufacturing, including textiles and garments. Heritage & Craft: Bhutan consecrated a restored 18th-century temple complex in Nobgang, while Ilocos Sur opened an upgraded weaving exhibit spotlighting living Ilocano textile traditions.

Ilocano Weaving Spotlight: The National Museum of the Philippines–Ilocos opened an upgraded Abel-Iloko Exhibition in Vigan City, spotlighting living Ilocano “abel” weaving and honoring key craft bearers. Nigeria Retail Policy Push: CPPE warned Nigeria’s retail/distributive trade is seeing rising foreign—especially Chinese—traders, urging tighter review of permits, expatriate quotas and immigration approvals, and arguing foreign investment should target manufacturing and infrastructure. Nepal–India Trade Friction: Nepal asked India to remove obstacles to exporting jute and steel after safeguard duties cut Nepal’s steel exports by 62.43%, costing over Rs10bn in earnings. Textile Industry Leadership: The International Textile Alliance named Elise Gabrielson as 2026–27 president and added three new board members, aiming to strengthen industry connections and storytelling. Fashion Trade Momentum: Première Vision Paris said its visitor base is shifting toward decision-makers—boosting fashion houses, retail and international participation—while keeping business development central. Ghana Waste Cleanup: President Mahama launched a 90-day emergency operation to clear about one million tonnes of waste at Agbogbloshie, tied to redevelopment plans.

Customs & Trade Flows: Nepal’s Birgunj Customs Office says it collected Rs 23.46 billion in revenue in Bhadra (Aug 17–Sep 16), hitting 99.75% of its monthly target, with textiles and garments among key imports. Energy Efficiency for Textiles: India’s EESL will audit energy and water use at about 450 MSMEs in Andhra Pradesh by Feb 2027, with textiles and spinning mills flagged as energy-intensive clusters. Labor Compliance Pressure: In Pakistan’s Muzaffargarh, authorities issued recovery notices to 11 private mills over alleged non-compliance with the 3% disability employment quota. Yarn & Supply Chain Economics: Tiruppur yarn makers urge changes to Cotton Corporation of India’s role, warning that cotton access and working-capital gaps are squeezing spinning mills. Industry Standards & Circularity: ITMF named 2026 collaboration award winners HeiQ–Archroma and Lenzing–Armedangels, while AAFA said it will keep fighting California’s SB-707 producer responsibility rules after a court setback. Fashion & Materials Spotlight: Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 wrapped in Shanghai with ~600 exhibitors and ~22,000 visitors, pushing recycled, bio-based and performance yarns into mainstream sourcing.

US Tariff Shock Watch: CITI warned that the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act could trigger extra US tariffs that MSME-heavy India’s textile and apparel sector can’t absorb, urging urgent India–US engagement. Sustainability Standards: Global Standards launched the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), extending certification beyond organic fibres to cover broader plant, animal, synthetic and recycled inputs with environmental, human-rights and traceability requirements. Energy & Decarbonisation Push: India’s industry committed Rs 3,590 crore over a year to electrification, waste-heat recovery, digitalisation, IoT and AI for cleaner production. Factory Expansion in Africa: Uganda’s Fine Spinners is investing an additional US$5m in new machinery to broaden product range and strengthen pan-African exports. Solar for Textile Growth: Aastha Spintex advanced a 1.35 MW solar project at the Falcon Yarns facility as it scales spinning capacity and moves toward fabric manufacturing. Ghana Industrial Park Plan: President Mahama ordered a 90-day evacuation of Agbogbloshie’s waste to enable an industrial park and a major textile factory, with enforcement to prevent repeat dumping. Market Disruption Risk: Police in Surat said a textile market fire was arson, destroying goods worth about Rs 24 crore. Industry Tech Showcase: Bengaluru’s 40th Garment Technology Expo opened, spotlighting automation, AI, digitalisation and smart manufacturing for apparel makers.

Textile policy pressure in Pakistan: The EU opened talks with APTMA on renewing GSP+ beyond 2027, warning that Pakistan must show real progress on human rights, labour and environmental reforms to keep preferential access. Trade momentum: Pakistan’s textile exports rose 5.55% in July–August 2026-27, led by cotton yarn, knitwear, towels and ready-made garments, while some segments like cotton cloth fell. Sustainability and chemicals: A new waterproof jacket from UK brand Bam claims “no forever chemicals,” using a recycled-polyester approach designed to keep the whole garment recyclable. Circular and craft signals: Homo Faber 2026 in Venice spotlights handmade production and “artisan thought,” reinforcing demand for slow, skilled making. Industry infrastructure push: Afghanistan began construction on two industrial parks in Kunduz and Baghlan, with textiles listed among targeted sectors. Supply chain watch: Maersk’s peak-season update flags tight capacity, port and inland constraints, and tariff uncertainty affecting ocean and air freight planning. Fashion leadership shake-up: CFDA CEO Steven Kolb stepped down after a physical altercation involving Peta during New York Fashion Week.

Cotton & exports: India’s textile exports jumped 16.1% YoY to Rs 29,776 crore in August 2026, led by cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups/handloom (+24.1%) and man-made textiles (+19.9%), while handicrafts excluding handmade carpets surged 44% in Apr-Aug. Standards & testing: India’s BIS is modernising 21 cotton fibre testing labs with ₹38.72 crore, adding HVI testers and trash analysers to tighten quality checks across the cotton-to-textile chain. Decarbonisation push: CII says industry committed about INR 3,590 crore toward electrification, process upgrades, waste-heat recovery and digital tools at its Energy Efficiency Summit in Hyderabad. Trade ties: Türkiye and Italy met in Rome to deepen integrated supply chains, explicitly naming textiles among key sectors. Africa market access: SADC welcomed the AGOA extension to Dec 2028 as a boost for textiles and apparel exporters. Circular skills: Kenya and Ethiopia are training young people to turn textile waste into products and jobs, reaching 4,600 learners so far. Mosquito-net manufacturing: Nigeria’s Vestergaard-backed free zone facility has started producing WHO-prequalified dual active-ingredient nets, targeting 10 million annually and 600+ jobs.

Textile Machinery & Quality: China’s Hengchang Quilting Machinery Factory is pitching computerized mattress quilting and border systems with a focus on shop-floor details, ISO 9001-driven processes, and the practical case for custom vs standard machine builds—plus compliance readiness for faster global commissioning. Sustainable Denim: A denim collaboration (Avalo, The Lycra Company, Neela by Sapphire Fibers, and Soko) is pushing plant-based, low-carbon “Naturalls” aimed at cutting water and emissions across the denim value chain. Trade Pressure: Vietnam targets $48bn in textile-garment exports in 2026 but warns tariff barriers and higher logistics and input costs are disrupting production and order retention. EU-China Manufacturing Tension: The EU warns of a “China Shock 2.0” that could further strain European manufacturing, with knock-on effects for textile-linked supply chains. Circular Textiles: Bay of Plenty’s Community Loom Project turns old T-shirts into a community rug, while Skagit County’s third clothing swap tackles textile waste with donation-and-swap rules. Industry Policy: Pakistan’s towel and home textile sector backs PM directives to simplify exports and cut red tape, citing energy costs, refunds, logistics, and regulation as key competitiveness blockers.

Cotton Testing Upgrade: India’s BIS is funding a Rs 38.72-crore overhaul of 21 cotton fibre labs to modernise HVI testing and trash analysis, aiming for consistent quality standards across the cotton-to-textile chain. Defence Technical Textiles: Candour Techtex signed an MoU with Ratanmoti Texfab to supply coated and laminated fabrics for DRDO’s ADRDE, marking a push into specialised defence textiles. Racewear Market Growth: A new report projects FIA homologated racewear rising from $1.22bn (2025) to $1.34bn (2026), driven by stricter safety rules and fire-resistant textile innovation. Textile Recycling Funding Push: Seattle recycling startup Ravel closed an oversubscribed $8.2m seed round to scale its blended-fabric recycling process beyond pilot stage. Workplace Safety in Apparel Hubs: Tamil Nadu’s women’s commission urged stronger POSH Internal Complaints Committee awareness in Tiruppur textile units, after finding limited worker knowledge and weak ICC visibility. Trade & Access: New Zealand’s Parliament passed the India FTA, with duty-free access for 100% of Indian exports from entry into force—boosting opportunities for textiles and apparel. Circularity in Public Policy: A new federal bill, the Textile Waste Reduction Act, has been filed in the US to build a coordinated framework to cut textile waste.

Careers & skills push in textiles: Bradford Council and SkillsHouse will host a Sustainable Fashion Week 2026 event at Shipley College on Sept. 29, with workshops and employer stands focused on sustainable fabrics and digital fashion skills for KS3/KS4 students. Traditional dyeing under pressure: A Cairo dyehouse dating to 1901 shows how Egypt’s remaining traditional dyeing craft is struggling as industrial textile production expands. Kenya rebuilds its cotton-to-fabric chain: Kenya is restarting cotton cultivation in Lamu with Bt seed, a new ginnery and closer processing via Thika Cloth Mills to create jobs and cut import dependence. Port delays targeted for textile exporters: Pakistan’s maritime minister urged faster Goods Declaration filing and better coordination among Customs, ports and terminals, including more efficient scanning and use of the Pakistan Single Window. Fashion policy for inclusion: New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced an Adaptive Clothing Grant Program launching in Jan 2027 to fund designers and researchers developing accessible, functional adaptive apparel. Sustainability funding gap in fashion: At Cascale, Mondetta and Lenzing highlighted a buyer–supplier disconnect: brands want fast pivots while factories need longer purchasing guarantees to invest in decarbonisation.