#Associations

2023-03-09

Bac Giang LGG Garment Corp. (Vietnam) joins ITMF as corporate member

After more than 50 years of establishment and development, Bac Giang LGG Garment Corporation has expanded its scale and number of employees, becoming one of the leading garment manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam. Currently, Bac Giang LGG Garment Corporation has 6 factories with nearly 7,000 employees.

Mr. Christian Schindler, Director General of ITMF, stated that “the decision of Bac Giang LGG Garment Corp. to join ITMF is much welcome as it strengthens the voice of the Vietnamese textile and apparel industry at an international forum like ITMF. The textile value chains are very long and complex and above all very international. It is important for companies to understand the international dynamics and the evolution in this industry. Furthermore, it is helpful to learn from each other and to build an international network across the value chain. Therefore, we are convinced that by joining ITMF both Bac Giang LGG Garment and all other members as well as the textile industry as such will benefit.”

Mr. Luu Tien Chung, CEO of Bac Giang LGG Garment Corp, commented that “an international forum like ITMF is unique as it comprises members from around the world and from the entire textile value chain – from producers of fibres to those of finished products. In a global textile economy that has become more interconnected and that requires not only interaction with your direct suppliers and customers but also their suppliers and customers, it is important to be part of a platform like ITMF. More and more topics like compliance, traceability, sustainability, circularity, etc. require collaboration across all textile segments and across borders. Therefore, it is relevant to build an international network that offers also in-person meetings. ITMF offers just that”.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

VDMA members at Techtextil: Smart technologies for technical textiles

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, the members of VDMA Textile Machinery underline their key role as global technology leaders for technical textiles and textile processing. With a strong presence of more than 50 members they will highlight how engineering excellence, innovation strength and sustainability expertise from Germany and Europe are shaping the future of the textile industry. Seven companies will be present at the VDMA group stand in the centre of hall 12.0.

Europe is losing its textile industry

EURATEX has released its latest Economic Update on the performance of the European textile and apparel industry in 2025. For the third consecutive year, the sector recorded negative results across all key indicators — production, turnover and employment — confirming a continued erosion of competitiveness across Europe.

ECCO introduces first shoe featuring innovative protein-based fibre

ECCO, in partnership with Spinnova, announces the launch of the limited edition ECCO BIOM® 720, a first-of-its-kind shoe utilising an often overlooked leather by-product, transformed into a protein-based fibre. The fibres are produced using patented technology that advances material innovation while reducing waste and supporting full resource use across the leather and textile industry.

The LYCRA Company strengthens sustainability leadership, appoints Alistair Williamson as VP of Product Sustainability

The LYCRA Company has appointed longtime executive Alistair Williamson as vice president of product sustainability, reaffirming its commitment to developing sustainable solutions for apparel and personal care products. In this role, he will guide the company’s next chapter of sustainability strategy and oversee all initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact across products, operations, and innovation platforms.