#Associations

2021-04-15

2021 must be a turning point for the European Textiles and Clothing Industry

On the occasion of releasing its Quarterly Economic Update, EURATEX is concerned that the Covid19 crisis may soon be followed by disruptions in our global supply chains, affecting the competitiveness of our industry.

Economic data up to December 2020 reflect a dramatic contraction in demand and production of textile and clothing items, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the full year 2020, the EU turnover fell by -9.3% in textiles and by -17.7% in clothing, compared with 2019. The crisis was particularly felt in the middle of the year (with production losses over 50%). Towards the last quarter of 2020, business activity recovered in the textile industry (+1.6% as compared with the previous quarter), while it further deteriorated in the clothing sector (-6.8%), as a result of the decline in consumption expenditure and the slowdown in non-essential activities.

Looking at trade performance, T&C extra-EU exports slipped back by -13.6% in 2020. The majority of EU top-10 customers experienced a steep decline in 2020. EU imports increased by +5.5% in 2020. However this increase was mostly due to the import of personal protective equipment (including facemasks), especially from China (increase from EUR 1 billion in 2019 to EUR 20 billion in 2020).

Looking forward, the EU Business Confidence* indicator of March 2021 gained momentum, with a confirmed upward trend in the textile industry (+3.8 points), and a modest recovery in the clothing industry (+1.6 points). Also, the employment expectations indicator saw a robust increase.

However, these signs of recovery are jeopardized by recent turmoil in the T&C supply chain. Raising prices of raw materials (textile fibres, dyestuffs,…) and transport costs, negative impact of CO2 prices and political turmoil in some important sourcing countries (China, Myanmar) create uncertainty, adding to the challenges of the corona pandemic.

On that basis, 2021 will be a critical year for the competitiveness of the European T&C industry. A forward-looking EU textiles strategy, which offers the right policy mix and support instruments for our SMEs, is essential in this context.

EURATEX Director General Dirk Vantyghem commented on these recent developments: “European textiles and apparel companies have shown great resilience and flexibility during this pandemic, but continue to face global challenges. Now is the time to design a modern framework to support these companies in their transition process. We need to focus on promoting innovation, offering support towards digitalisation, creating robust supply chains and ensure a level playing field.”

The EU Textiles strategy is expected for the 3rd quarter of 2021; while it is expected to put a strong focus on sustainability and circularity, EURATEX insists the strategy should take a broader perspective and ensure long term competitiveness of this essential pillar of the European economy.

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Europe is losing its textile industry

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Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

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Textile machinery: Italian technology charts the course for revival

Operating in a scenario characterized by geopolitical instability, slowing industrial investments, and new protectionist pressures. This is the main challenge for the Italian textile machinery industry that emerged during the General Assembly of ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), held today in Milan at the Shareholders’ Hall of Palazzo Edison.

New skills for a circular textile economy

Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is developing three practical training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. The content of the first module, Recycling Technologies, has now been developed and validated together with industry representatives. The module provides participants with knowledge of regulatory requirements, material sorting and the preparation of textile waste for recycling.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.