#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2024-11-14

APTEXPO 2024 kicks off with key fashion and supply chain leaders sparking innovation

APTEXPO 2024 officially kicked off today at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center, marking the start of a groundbreaking three-day event poised to create new opportunities for change in the textiles and apparel value chain.

As the global platform that convenes the top decision-makers in textiles, apparel, fashion, and their supply chains, this year's convention promises to be more than a series of panel discussions—it is a much-needed gateway to transforming your business through its exclusive showcase of the latest fashion, supply chain and textiles technologies and projects from the likes of Singapore Fashion Council (SFC) Pavilion and HY Green Technology - which is set to unravel on 14 November.

On the first day, Sharon Lim, President of the Singapore Fashion Council (SFC), delivered the welcome speech. She addressed the esteemed guests, fellow speakers, and the audience and commended the organisers for hosting the inaugural Asia-Pacific Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Summit 2024.

On APTEXPO 2024, Sharon Lim said, “As the official association for Singapore's textile and fashion industry, SFC partners with various stakeholders throughout the value chain to drive meaningful change across three key pillars: sustainability, innovation and technology, and Asian craftsmanship. Partnerships are essential for building a resilient and agile supply chain today. Such stakeholder collaboration helps mitigate risk, seize new opportunities and foster innovation that benefits us all. APTEXPO 2024 is a great example of this work we are undertaking.”

The first day of APTEXPO 2024 also offered attendees the chance to gain the knowledge and insights shared in the opening speeches by Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director, Exhibitions and Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board; Albert Tan, Chairman, ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX); and Sun Ruizhe, President, China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC). These organisations play an important role in promoting textile and fashion innovation.

From Left to Right: (1) Jonas Wand, CEO and Co-Founder, FOURSOURCE, (2) Xu Yingxin, Vice President, China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), (3) Sharon Lim, President, Singapore Fashion Council, (4) Sun Ruizhe, President, China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), (5) Albert Tan, Chairman, ASEAN Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX), (6) Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director, Exhibition and Conferences Singapore Tourism Board, (8) Peter Liang Pengcheng, President, Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT TEX) © 2024 APTEXPO

Zhang Tingting, CEO of SFC, moderated a panel discussion that dove into the role of regional collaboration in building a resilient, adaptive and sustainable supply chain, convening on stage high- level executives from Weave, Browzwear, JEANWEST International, Shanghai Challenge Textile Co and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Textiles.

Regina Leong, CEO of Trackland Sdn Bhd Group of Companies, Honorary Permanent Secretary General, AFTEX, and President of the Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA), hosted the second panel discussion of the day. The panel featured experts from various organisations, including the Indonesian Textile Association and SEMBCORP. The panellists shared strategies for boosting Asia-Pacific production capabilities and leveraging partnership opportunities in the region’s textile industry.

Two plenary sessions also took place on the first day, during which audiences heard from more leaders in the global textiles and apparel segment.

The first plenary session addressed global trends and challenges in the textile and garment industry. Christian P. Schindler, Director General of ITMF, discussed current industry challenges, while Dirk Vantyghem of EURATEX covered the EU's role in advancing sustainability. Deepika Rana, COO of Li & Fung, rounded off with insights on supply chain innovation.

The second plenary session focused on technology, branding, and sustainability as drivers of supply chain restructuring. Jonas Wand, CEO of FOURSOURCE, shared how AI shapes future value chains, and Chris Govier of Kornit Digital emphasised digital advancements for sustainable growth. Sunny Huang from New Wide Group discussed digital manufacturing solutions, while Henry Tan of Luen Thai Group examined Asia’s market potential.

APTEXPO 2024 will continue through 15 November 2024 in Singapore, with an exclusive lineup of industry updates, showcases, and networking sessions to follow.

For more information on APTEXPO 2024, please visit ap-texpo.com.

YKK receives ISPO Textrends Awards for circular innovations

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) is pleased to announce that the ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK's 3D Composite Puller as the Best Product in the Accessories category. They also selected YKK’s NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts as a Top 5 item in the same category. The competition, held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show, recognizes the most innovative performance textiles, components, and apparel.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris unveils redesigned show layout for 2026

From February 2 to 4, 2026, Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will once again bring together all the key players in textiles and clothing at the Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Center. For 3 days, visitors will discover, compare and select among 1,300 suppliers who will shape the collections of tomorrow, from ready-to-wear to luxury.

Asteks and Nexrone launch global investment initiative

A new joint investment company, Westure Ventures, has been founded by Asteks and Nexrone to focus on the development of next-generation transformative technologies. Türkiye’s long-established industrial powerhouse Asteks and one of the rising innovative forces in Europe’s startup ecosystem Nexrone Global announced the launch of their new investment company built on a shared vision: Westure Ventures.

ISKO’s SS27 collection and latest collaboration with Adriano Goldschmied land in Milan at Denim Première Vision

ISKO returns to Denim Première Vision to present a powerful showcase of next-generation denim innovation. At booth D17, visitors will discover a full spectrum of ISKO’s latest developments, including the brand-new SS27 collection, its advanced material collaborations with RE&UP, and the much-anticipated design project with Adriano Goldschmied: Moonskin Denim.

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

Fraunhofer CCPE presents the “Monomaterial Design Set” – Innovative solutions for circular product design

Composite materials made from different types of plastic often extend the lifetime of products but make recycling more difficult in the circular economy. That is why Fraunhofer CCPE has developed the “Monomaterial Design Set”. This new approach helps to reduce the variety of plastics used in durable products and offers circular solutions for designers and product developers.

arena introduces renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber in its latest swimwear collection

Italian swimwear specialist arena has unveiled a new collection that brings sustainability and performance even closer together. Launched on December 4, the line features swimsuits made from recycled nylon and renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber — the first time the bio-based spandex has been used commercially in swimwear.