INSIGHTS A team of US researchers has developed a new fabric that can help urban residents survive the worst impacts of heat, with applications in clothing, building and car design, and food storage. In tests, the material kept 2.3 degrees C cooler than the broadband emitter fabric used for outdoor endurance sports and 8.9 degrees C cooler than commercialised silk. Researchers at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) at the University of Chicago have developed a new wearable fabr

INSIGHTS Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2024, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will introduce the Digital Solutions Zone. This new zone will showcase innovative technologies like additive manufacturing, big data analytics, and digital sustainability solutions. The event will take place from August 27-29 at National Exhibition and Convention Center. In the midst of the business world’s rapid adoption of new technology and the evolving environmental landscap

INSIGHTS The euro area's annual inflation rate rose to 2.6 per cent in May 2024 from 2.4 per cent in April, down from 6.1 per cent a year earlier. The EU's inflation rate increased to 2.7 per cent from 2.6 per cent. Lowest inflation rates were in Latvia and highest in Romania. Inflation fell in eleven EU states, remained stable in two, and rose in fourteen. The euro area’s annual inflation rate increased to 2.6 per cent in May 2024, up from 2.4 per cent in April, according to the latest

INSIGHTS US experienced a 9.53 per cent increase in textile and apparel imports, reaching 30,095.121 million SME in Jan-Apr. Apparel imports rose 1.05 per cent, while non-apparel textiles grew 12.76 per cent. Cotton and MMF imports also saw significant growth. However, exports declined by 2.95 per cent, with apparel, yarn and fabric exports all showing YoY decreases.

INSIGHTS China's fabric exports dominated their textile trade with India in both 2023 and Q1 2024, accounting for over 64 per cent. Fabric exports to India grew in Q1 2024 compared to last year, while yarn and fibre shipments declined. In 2023, China's total textile exports to India were slightly lower than 2022, with fabric being the most prominent product category.

INSIGHTS In May 2024, China's export container shipping price index increased by 14.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM), reaching an average CCFI of 1,358.71, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. The West Africa service saw the highest growth in May at 53.3 per cent MoM, followed by South America at 50.6 per cent and South Africa at 29.6 per cent. China's export container shipping price index saw an increase of 14.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM) in May 2024, according to data from the Sha

INSIGHTS The China-Bangladesh FTA is imperative for the enhancement of bilateral economic and trade relations, stated Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen. The Chinese ambassador emphasised current Agreement on the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, signed in 1996, no longer matches deepening ties between China and Bangladesh. The China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is essential for enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations, stated Chinese ambassador Yao Wen

INSIGHTS In May, the global manufacturing PMI hit a 22-month high of 50.9, marking the fourth month above the neutral 50 mark. Output, new orders, and employment showed improvement. Manufacturing production grew at its fastest pace since December 2021, driven by new business and improved trade. Job creation and business confidence rose, while price pressures soared. The global manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI), a composite index developed by JP Morgan and S&P Global Mar

INSIGHTS China's economy is projected to grow by 5 per cent in 2024 and 4.5 per cent in 2025. These reflect upward revisions of 0.4 percentage points for both years compared to the April WEO projections. Inflation is expected to rise, but stay low as output remains below potential, with core inflation rising only gradually to average 1 per cent in 2024, the IMF noted. China's economic growth is projected to remain resilient at 5 per cent this year, driven by its strong first-quarter data and

INSIGHTS China exported $15.482 billion worth of fabric in Q1 2024, up 2 per cent from the same period last year. Despite global retail market challenges, Vietnam remained the top market, accounting for 16.53 per cent of Chinese fabric exports. After a dip in 2023, exports showed recovery. Other key markets included Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.