Function + Creativity are Driving Activewear
Functionality, performance and a higher level of creativity are being delivered in a new level of lightweight qualities aimed squarely at the activewear and outdoor wear markets.
At ISPO, materials offering quick-dry, hydrophobic, UV+, FIR, DWR, moisture management, anti-odor, – and stretch, not just from spandex but from new natural sources and also through mechanical stretch, eliminating the need for a blend – were in demand.
Top 9 new materials; Access the full report
Are surging costs, energy cutbacks and worker shortages becoming the ‘new normal’?
LOGISTICS
Shifts away from the epic delays at LA/Long Beach have caused congestion at Seattle and Vancouver and East Coast ports, as imports try to find a port in the current logistics storm.
Maersk has opened its first Russian inland container port. The facility is seen as part of the company’s strategic plan to grow logistics and services capabilities for customers’ supply chains by adding more capacity and flexibility for decision-making.
Freight rates to Europe have retreated 2% during the last week, a minor improvement given that they are up 569% above last year, according to Freightos.
Bahrain launched a fast sea-to-air logistic hub, which has a two-hour turnaround time for all containers, per the nation’s Transportation Ministry.
SUPPLY CHAIN
Zhejiang province has ordered a group of high energy consuming companies to temporarily halt production in the face of energy shortages. The move affected mainly the textile, dyeing and chemical fibre industries.
India has approved a proposal for setting up seven Mega Integrated Textile Region & Apparel (PM MITRA) parks with a total outlay of $595 million over 5 years.
PODCAST
Supply Chain Strategies: What I Learned Growing Lettuce in China
Despite the incredible challenges sourcing food in a market with a highly fragmented agricultural system, Xavier Naville managed to survive – and ultimately thrive.
In this podcast he shares how he built his supply chain, best practices for doing business in China, and how digitization is bringing better food quality to people throughout the nation.
WEBINARS
C.L.A.S.S. Smart Academy will host a live session on “How to source responsibly in the era of smart innovation?” Learn More
TRADE AGREEMENTS
India and Australia have agreed to have an interim trade agreement by Christmas and a final free trade agreement or Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) by the end of 2022.
LABOUR
Cambodia has raised the minimum wage for workers in its key textiles and footwear industry by $2 to $194, effective January next year, shy of a $12 rise sought by major unions.
MATERIALS
Wool prices were flat week-on-week, but are up over 30% year-on-year and up over 14% since the beginning of the year.
Cotton prices rose to new highs on strong China buying. Prices are now up over 70% year-on-year.
Cotton yarn prices in China remained flat week-on-week, after rising 4.9% in September.
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