Dow Chemical Co. (DOW), the largest U.S. chemical maker by sales, applied for a federal permit to build the company’s biggest ethylene plant as cheap natural gas gives manufacturers a cost advantage. The plant in Freeport, Texas, would have capacity to make 1.5 million tons of ethylene a year, Nancy Lamb, a Dow spokeswoman, said today by phone. That’s the same size as Texas ethylene plants proposed by Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. and Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and it would be Dow’s largest in th

South Korean refiners will cut imports of Iranian crude during the six months to May by about a fifth from a year earlier, to avoid sanctions by Washington, government and industry sources said yesterday. Last week the United States granted 180-day waivers on Iran sanctions to China, India, South Korea and some other countries after they cut oil purchases from the Islamic Republic. “The cut in next year’s imports is expected to be by about 20 percent year on year,” an industry source who has d

India's exports of cotton yarn used by textile mills, are expected to touch 992 million kg in the fiscal year ending next March. MUMBAI, Dec 10 (Reuters): India's exports of cotton yarn are expected to rise a fifth in the fiscal year to next March, spurred by higher imports by top consumer China and a weaker rupee currency, traders said on Monday. Exports of yarn, a value-added product used by textile mills, are expected to touch 992 million kg in the fiscal year ending next March. But

Tourism Calgary, in partnership with internationally acclaimed fashion designer Paul Hardy, recently unveiled an unparalleled couture "Tweet Dress", the result of a first-of-its-kind social media campaign that highlights Calgary's unique style and vibrancy. Tourism Calgary initially launched the campaign at Paul Hardy's 10th anniversary fashion show this fall, asking Calgarians and visitors to answer "What's in style in Calgary?" using the hashtag #StyleYYC. The response received was overwhel

Pretty Maids announced that its Spring 2013 collection is fabulously on-trend this season, with top-selling styles that feature the high-low skirt and peplum designs that have become must-have styles for red carpets and other celebrity events. Peplum, where a short overskirt or ruffle is attached at the waistline of a jacket, blouse, or dress, is a design that has reemerged in the fashion space. Pretty Maids style 22528 (pictured) embodies this playful peplum trend. The Pretty Maids Spring

Luxury boutique Heiress Schaefer will be celebrating the grand opening of its elite online lingerie store this month. Men shopping for romantic gifts for their wives or girlfriends are sure to be breathless with anticipation by the time they reach the store checkout, and women of refined taste will lavish in the luxury of shopping for top lingerie fashion by today’s hottest designers including Maison Close and LOU. "Our goal in launching the very best online lingerie site is to make it easy f

The UK garment manufacturers and retailers are hoping for a rise in demand for ‘Made in UK’ garments and a recovery from its present downfall. Mr. Ian Maclean, managing director of John Smedley, told fibre2fashion, "There is rise in demand for apparels ‘Made in UK’ since the clothes are of good quality." "People are interested to purhase high quality garments that are durable and will last for years," he adds. John Smedley is a luxury knitwear manufacturer based in the England’s Derbysh

Factory employees stitch garments at a site in Yangon. (Photo: Myanmar Times Archive) Myanmar’s garment sector is set for a major boost following the enactment of the amended Foreign Investment Law and further easing of US sanctions, an industry association spokesperson said last week. U Aung Winn, vice chairman of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA), made the comments after announcing in late November that a garments and textile fair will be held in Yangon in mid-December

National Safety Apparel (NSA), a seventy-six year-old manufacturer of safety apparel, has acquired Seattle-based Vinatronics, a high visibility apparel manufacturer. Jason Leniski, GM of Vinatronics says "NSA and Vinatronics share a common tradition of high quality "Made in the USA" products. NSA’s sales force, distribution network, and cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities will power Vinatronics’ long term growth and sustainability, and provide more sales and service support to our custome