#Associations

2021-09-23

IAF, EURATEX and ABIT Collaborate on Content International Conferences

The International Apparel Federation (IAF) and ABIT, the national association for the Brazilian Apparel and Textile industry, have even given their conferences the same theme, namely ‘Transition of the Global Fashion System’. EURATEX’s conference’s theme is ‘A new paradigm for the European Textile and Clothing Industry’ and therefore also emphasizes transition. All three associations are fully aware of the urgency and importance of the transition that the apparel and textile industries are currently going through. Through their collaboration they are able to offer a global audience complimentary programs, each focusing on different elements of this transition.

The International, European and Brazilian associations IAF, EURATEX and ABIT are collaborating on the content of their annual, international conferences in the fall of 2021.

ABIT’s focus is on people, exploring data gathering; a transition to a design more guided by individualization and communication in a digital environment. IAF’s focus is on the intra supply chain dynamics, looking at how the relations between buyers and suppliers need to change. And EURATEX focuses strongly on the role of legislation shaping our industry’s actions.

ABIT’s international conference takes place on October 27 and 28. Visitors from across the world can join online www.congressoabit.com.br/ to hear a mix of Brazilian and international speakers. Brazil containing complete supply chains from cotton to consumer often presents examples of transition that can inspire companies from other parts of the world.

IAF and EURATEX are holding their conferences back-to-back in Antwerp, Belgium on November 8 and 9 respectively. For those visitors that might be held back by pandemic related restrictions to visit the venue in Antwerp, the conferences will be available online. A joint dedicated website, www.conventionantwerp.com contains all the information and the link to register. Antwerp is less than 50 kilometres away from Brussels, where the EU Commission is unveiling a very ambitious environmental and social agenda aimed at large scale transition that will have large consequences for our industry.

Three global conferences offer complementary insights into the huge transition the apparel and textile industries are going through. Their connection underlines that we have one global fashion system. To get the full pictures, ABIT, EURATEX and IAF invite you to join all three!

IAF Position on tariffs

The International Apparel Federation (IAF) represents the apparel manufacturing community across more than 40 countries—a global industry comprising hundreds of thousands of companies and millions of employees. Apparel and textiles are among the most globalized industries, historically foundational to industrial development around the world.

IAF and ITMF unite global fashion and textile leaders

The joint ITMF Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention was held on September 8-10 in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This year’s convention, co-organized by the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), and hosted by Uztextileprom, the Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association, and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Uzbekistan highlighted the crucial interdependence of our sectors.

European textile industry calls for €10 handling fee on ultra-fast-fashion imports

The introduction of the €3 customs duty on low-value imports marks an important milestone in Europe’s efforts to address the challenges created by the rapid growth of ultra-fast-fashion imports. Together with the abolition of the €150 customs duty exemption, it demonstrates that policymakers are willing to act when market distortions become impossible to ignore. However, the European textile and clothing industry considers this a first step rather than the final destination.

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.

Italian textile machinery orders show quarterly recovery in Q2 2026

In the period between April and June 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers showed mixed but encouraging signals for the second half of the year. The order index at constant prices stood at 46.6 points (taking 2021=100 as the base year), showing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the same quarter of 2025. This trend was largely due to the contraction recorded in the domestic market, which fell by 25% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

From smart jackets to laser technology: Mona Neubaur explores Textile Factory 7.0

As part of her summer tour, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Mona Neubaur, visited Textilfabrik 7.0 in Mönchengladbach to experience the project’s innovations first-hand. Under the motto “smart and clean”, the visit focused on innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives for textile production - from smart jackets to the decolourisation of textiles using fungal cultures.

Cinte Techtextil China 2026 has opened today, bringing global innovations and resources to Shanghai

As Asia’s premier platform catering to the evolving needs in technical textiles and nonwovens, Cinte Techtextil China has opened today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, gathering over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions. Across Halls W3 to W5, this edition will create chances for fast-growing sectors and emerging trends – such as Mobiltech, Medtech & Protech, Indutech and more. The curated zones, pavilions, and fringe programme are designed to better connect exhibitors with targeted buyers from across China, Asia-Pacific, and further afield. Meanwhile, the Association Village will gather international industry associations to foster even more global collaboration.

Global garment trade nears $550 billion as competition intensifies

The global garment industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, with knit and woven garments together accounting for nearly 60% of world textile exports in 2025, according to the August 2026 issue of The Textiles Observer, a free publication from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).