#Business

2021-07-08

Digital trader spotted in China–Middle East & North Africa International Trade Digital Expo

Driven by the needs of international trade, it has become a trend to hold exhibitions online. Organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), China-Middle East & North Africa International Trade Digital Expo 2021 had its grand opening through the digital platform GTW-VE on 15th June 2021. The Expo lasted for 10 days in total and attracted 10,000+ overseas visitors and 10,000+ business enterprises.

Digital Trader (DT), as the only invited B2B trading service provider, utilizes self-developed cutting-edge technologies to offer one-stop trading services. The businesses cover China-sourcing advice, advance settlement, customs clearance, and logistics tracking, etc. Moreover, it provides customized local trade-payment experience in Africa and most countries. The wholesaler could transparently manage the trade with their Chinese-sourcing partners, easily pay, and efficiently get through the customs clearance as well as the shipment on the real-time and visible App.

Themed as "Win-win Cooperation, Practically Advancing China-Africa Economic and Trade Relations", the Expo is held to transform corporate export methods and analyze the "cloud" economic development. It is divided into 6 sessions focusing on specific sectors as follows: Infrastructure and capacity cooperation, agriculture and food, home decoration and building materials, textile and clothing, consumer products, and a special session (China-Turkey).

It is organized for MENA and Chinese suppliers, buyers, investors, and end consumers. During the ten-day event, over 1,000 enterprises mainly from the Middle East & North Africa attended this fair to seek business partnership and trading opportunities. Meanwhile, 10,000+ overseas visitors participated in B2B meetings.

“Thanks to this virtual exhibition organization, both exhibitors and visitors have easy access to different "booths" to seek what they want. During this event, DT feels honored to receive so many calls and inquiries about cross-border business from global traders. In this Post-epidemic era, digital trade allows you to go globally and achieve win-win cooperation.” Says Eddy, Zhou Weihua, the Marketing Director of DT.

Under the new situation, digital trade has not only achieved positive growth in adversity but also played an irreplaceable role in boosting cross-border trade and restructuring the industrial chain. It's the trend of the times to embrace the new pattern of the digital trade.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on Chinese PET spunbond imports

The European Commission has introduced definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 39.8% to 48.1% on imports of PET spunbond from China. The measures, which entered into force on 31 October 2026, will remain in place for five years and are intended to address unfairly priced imports that have caused injury to European manufacturers. The EU market for these nonwoven materials is valued at approximately €200 million.

EURATEX urges Member States to prioritise competitiveness in the next EU budget

Ahead of crucial discussions among EU Member States on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, EURATEX, the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, calls on European leaders to safeguard ambitious funding for industrial competitiveness and ensure that these resources translate into concrete investment support in European companies.

Marks & Spencer expands across Asia Pacific through partnership with Global Fashion Group

Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Global Fashion Group (GFG) have announced a strategic partnership to expand the British retailer's fashion business across Asia Pacific. M&S has launched on Southeast Asian fashion platform ZALORA and plans to enter THE ICONIC in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027. The agreement also introduces regional fulfilment for Australian M&S.com orders, enabling faster deliveries and returns while supporting a capital-light international growth strategy.

Woolmark survey: 82% of consumers prefer natural fibres over synthetics

A new consumer survey commissioned by Woolmark and conducted by Ipsos across five major markets reveals a strong preference for natural fibres over synthetic alternatives. On average, 82% of respondents in the United States, France, Germany, Italy and China said they would choose natural fibres when price, style and fit are equal. The findings coincide with the launch of Woolmark's new global brand platform, “Return to Real”, which highlights the natural performance properties of Merino wool and the growing importance of verified fibre quality.

KARL MAYER introduces MULTIPLY BX for high-efficiency wind turbine reinforcement fabrics

KARL MAYER is expanding its composite machinery portfolio with the new MULTIPLY BX, a biaxial warp knitting machine specifically developed for the production of reinforcement textiles used in wind turbine rotor blades. Designed for high output and efficient material utilisation, the machine achieves production speeds of up to 500 m/h and offers a productivity increase of 20 to 25% compared with the established MAX GLASS ECO. The MULTIPLY BX will make its debut at the KARL MAYER (China) Product Show in Changzhou during ITMA ASIA 2026.

ReSpin founder Åsa Strandberg receives Innovation Champion of the Year 2026 award

Åsa Strandberg, founder and CEO of Swedish textile recycling company ReSpin AB, has been named Innovation Champion of the Year 2026. The award recognises her development of RespinJenny, a patented technology designed to recycle textile waste into new, high-quality fibres without using water, chemicals or additional virgin raw materials. The distinction was presented by the Olle Oscarsson Foundation and Axera Inkubator at Guldgalan in Sweden.