#Sustainability

2021-04-29

Esquel signs the Women’s Empowerment Principles

Esquel Group is now listed on the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) website as a signatory, among seven other companies from Hong Kong (as of April 2021). The group signed the WEPs at the end of last year, in a pivotal step towards the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, in line with the Group’s commitment in that area.

Established by UN Women and the UN Global Compact (UNGC), WEPs are a set of seven principles providing guidance for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace. Esquel supported the WEPs following a joint campaign launched by UN Woman and China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), through which top executives from over 90 textile and apparel companies in China signed The CEO Statement of Support for the WEPs, pledging c-suite support to gender inclusion and diversity at work.

Becoming a signatory to the WEPs not only solidifies Esquel’s determination towards women’s empowerment practices within the Company but conveys its enduring belief in diversity and inclusion as an integral part of Esquel’s people-centric culture. Over the years, the Group has made continuous efforts facilitating female employees to upskill, transform themselves, and lead. One of the more recent initiatives includes the participation of an Esquel Vietnam site in the GEAR (Gender Equality and Returns) program, which equips female employees with the skills required to advance their careers by providing training for manufacturing and processing, quality control and lean management, among other areas.

By joining the WEPs community, Esquel intends to enhance its sustained work in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driving positive social changes as a member of the community.

The seven Women’s Empowerment Principles:

1. High-Level Corporate Leadership

2. Treat all Women and Men Fairly at Work without Discrimination?

3. Employee Health, Well-Being and Safety?

4. Education and Training for Career Advancement?

5. Enterprise Development, Supply Chain and Marketing Practices?

6. Community Initiatives and Advocacy

7. Measurement and Reporting

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.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

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.

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.