Attendance of key board and committee members

The workshop was attended by İHKİB Vice Chairman of the Board Mustafa Paşahan, Board Member and Chairman of the Sustainability and International Relations Committee Selçuk Mehmet Kaya, as well as Committee Members Nilgün Özdemir and Jale Tunçel. The participation of Board and Committee representatives made a significant contribution to addressing the topics discussed within the framework of sectoral priorities.

Participation of verification and certification bodies

Representatives from verification and certification bodies, including Ekoteks, SGS Türkiye, Eurofins Türkiye, TÜV Rheinland, BV CPS Test Laboratories, Control Union Türkiye, Intertek Türkiye, BSCI/Amfori, SLCP, Fair Labor Association, and Ethical Trading Initiative, also took part in the workshop. Within this scope, verification and certification bodies, audit firms, and manufacturer representatives came together to address structural and operational issues encountered in audit and certification processes from a multi-dimensional perspective.

Survey findings and sector challenges

During the event, findings from surveys periodically conducted by İHKİB among Turkish apparel exporters regarding compliance and purchasing processes were shared. The survey results revealed that key challenges include differences in audit interpretations, audit frequency and the burden of duplicate audits, the diversity of customer-specific certificate requirements, and increasing financial costs. It was emphasized that a significant portion of these issues have remained on the sector’s agenda for years and represent persistent structural challenges. Participating Turkish exporters shared examples from their field experience and presented potential solution proposals.

Recommendations and way forward

Concrete recommendations to address existing challenges were deliberated during the workshop. In particular, the importance of strengthening alignment in audit interpretations, enhancing calibration mechanisms in audit processes, improving harmonization within certification systems, and expanding guidance mechanisms to support companies’ internal capacity was highlighted.

Sustaining long-term cooperation

The meeting concluded with a shared consensus on the need to sustain constructive dialogue and cooperation among sector stakeholders on a long-term and sustainable basis. We would like to thank all stakeholders for their participation and valuable contributions.

Het bericht Turkish apparel industry dicusses ways to go even beyond global standards in social and environmental compliance verscheen eerst op IAF.

Europe’s ambition to become fully circular by 2050 has sharpened the focus on industrial transformation. In the Netherlands, the textile, clothing, leather and footwear industry represents approximately €24 billion, accounting for around 2.4% of national income. The shift towards a circular and digitally driven sector is therefore not only an environmental imperative but also a strategic contribution to the country’s future earning capacity.

Dutch innovation and collaboration

The pavilion brings together pioneering Dutch textile innovators alongside industry association Modint, Circular Textile Days and the Circular Textile Action Plan, a programme of CLICKNL. It marks the first visible public-private collaboration dedicated to strengthening the European positioning of the Dutch textile sector around circularity and digitalisation.

Among the companies exhibiting is SaXcell, which has developed fibre-to-fibre recycling technology capable of transforming discarded cotton into new raw material. Lamoral Coatings will present PFAS-free performance finishes designed to retain functionality even after repeated washing. In the field of digitalisation, tex.tracer replaces manual tracking processes with an automated, data-driven platform that enables real-time traceability of garments.

The ambition is clear: visitors to Techtextil should associate circular textiles and digital innovation with the Netherlands.

Techtextil, focused on technical textiles, nonwovens and innovation, is expected by organiser Messe Frankfurt to host more than 1,500 exhibitors and approximately 37,000 visitors from over 100 countries. For the Dutch delegation, the event offers a concentrated opportunity to connect with brands, suppliers, machine builders, recyclers and traceability providers from across the value chain.

From concept to industrial scale

Despite regulatory uncertainty, including ongoing discussions around mandatory recycled content, Dutch entrepreneurs are already commercialising circular solutions and demonstrating market readiness.

A number of participants illustrate how circularity is moving from concept to industrial-scale implementation. Vodde collects millions of kilograms of discarded textiles from businesses, consumers and public bodies, transforming them into high-quality socks and yarns for retail, fashion and procurement markets.

Designer Eva de Laat developed Materialliance, a digital material-intelligence platform supporting designers and product developers in making technically viable choices in yarns, constructions and supply chain partnerships. Arly enhances textile performance through lamination processes that improve waterproofing, insulation, flame resistance and shape retention, supported by a broad library of recycled and recyclable materials.

Other innovators further underline the breadth of the Dutch ecosystem. EeCoff has developed a patented recycled polyester fabric incorporating carbonised coffee grounds as a colour pigment. bAwear enables brands to measure and compare the environmental footprint of textile production. EE Labels introduces woven QR codes that remain scannable until the end of a product’s life, supporting transparency and traceability. Permess focuses on fabrics made from post-consumer recycled materials, while Hollanders Printing Solutions enables precisely measured sample production to help reduce overproduction and textile waste.

Strength through collaboration

Pieter van Kessel, co-founder of Circular Textile Days and owner of De Novo Fabrics, emphasises the importance of collective positioning. He notes that a curated pavilion and programme not only increase visibility for individual participants but also strengthen collaboration across the sector. Nanette Hogervorst, innovation director at Modint, adds that the association supports entrepreneurs willing to challenge the linear economy. She highlights that government backing through the Circular Textile Action Plan and CreativeNL has made the pavilion possible.

Jaap Zandbergen, one of the coordinators of the Circular Textile Action Plan, describes Techtextil as the European meeting point for the entire value chain, enabling in a few days what would otherwise take months of individual meetings.

Together, the delegation aims to ensure that the Netherlands is recognised not simply as a textile-producing nation, but as a fully-fledged circular textile ecosystem ready to scale across Europe.

Het bericht National pavilion highlights circular textile scale-up ambitions at Techtextil Frankfurt verscheen eerst op IAF.

Uniting Asia’s Textile & Apparel Manufacturers at 2nd Asia Sourcing 2026 (Textiles & Apparel): A Strategic Sourcing Exhibition for the next Supply-chain era.

The global textile and apparel industry stands at a defining inflection point. Supply chains are being re-engineered as brands and buyers respond to rising tariffs, shifting trade alliances, geopolitical recalibrations, cost pressures, and the rapid emergence of regional trade blocs. In this new reality, Asia has unequivocally consolidated its position as the epicenter of global textile and apparel manufacturing and sourcing.

Strategic response to transformation

The 2nd Asia Sourcing 2026 (Textiles & Apparel), organized by CEMS-Global USA with the Asean Federation of Textile Industries (AFTEX) as the Co-Organizer is conceived as a strategic response to this transformation. It is not merely an exhibition – it is a sourcing marketplace designed for a world where speed, diversification, resilience, and multi-country sourcing are essential to competitiveness and long-term survival.

Global Sourcing Summit 2026

Held on the sidelines of the Show, the Global Sourcing Summit 2026 will also host high-level discussions on the future of global supply chains, sustainability, technology, and sourcing strategies – making it one of the most important gatherings of the global textile and apparel community in Asia.

The International Apparel Federation (IAF) is a Strategic Partner, alongside strong institutional support as Supporting Organizations from the National Federation of Thai Textile Industries (NFTTI), Thailand Textile Institute (THTI), All 9 national associations under AFTEX, and the NAEC Export Council of India.

Bringing manufacturers together

As global sourcing offices and international brands rethink their dependencies, the demand is clear: direct, efficient access to leading Asian manufacturers across multiple countries under one roof. Asia Sourcing 2026 delivers precisely this – bringing together manufacturers from South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and beyond with regional and global buyers, retailers, brands, and sourcing professionals seeking reliable, scalable, and future-ready supply chains.

This is the platform where Asia’s redrawn supply chains take shape – where conversations evolve into contracts, partnerships are forged across borders, and new trade corridors are activated. Positioned at the heart of Asia, the show serves as a neutral, accessible, and strategically powerful meeting point for regional and global sourcing decision-makers.

Het bericht Bangkok: The World’s New Sourcing Hub for Textiles & Apparel in the Heart of Asia verscheen eerst op IAF.

On this occasion, the national presence was organized by Texbrasil (the Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program), a partnership between Abit (the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) and ApexBrasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency). This also marked the first joint participation with Cotton Brazil, a program executed in partnership with ApexBrasil, Abrapa (the Brazilian Association of Cotton Producers), and ANEA (the National Association of Cotton Exporters) to promote Brazilian cotton abroad. The objective was to strengthen the link between cotton production and the national textile industry.

In this edition, the collective booth presented the concept “Brazil: from farm to fashion,” which symbolized the construction of the entire Brazilian textile chain—from cotton cultivation and yarn production through weaving and finishing to garment design and manufacturing. The proposal emphasized the collaboration between different links in the sector and the prominence of Brazilian cotton in the international market.

According to Fernando Valente Pimentel, Superintendent Director of Abit, Première Vision Paris served as Europe’s premier showcase for inputs and a strategic stage for internationalization. “We were ready to present ‘Made in Brazil’ as a synonym for distinct quality and high added value. Our products stood out by offering essential attributes to the global market: sustainability, innovative design, and technology. The joint participation via Texbrasil reinforced our commitment to consolidating Brazil’s image as a competitive player of excellence.”

Exclusively targeting industry professionals, the fair brought together exhibitors from more than 40 countries and offered a comprehensive overview of raw materials and services for collection development, distributed across eight universes: yarns, fabrics, leather, design, accessories, manufacturing, color, and a dedicated space for sustainable solutions.

For Gustavo Piccoli, president of Abrapa, “being at Première Vision alongside Abit and ApexBrasil demonstrated once again the synergies between the cotton and fashion chains in Brazil, which worked integratively across several projects. Furthermore, we were able to show the world the quality, traceability, and sustainability of our cotton while expanding our industry’s connections.”

The participating brands included Atelier Lucius Vilar, Atelier Natalia Rios, Balz Studio, Estúdio Rocha, Firma Colab, Innovativ, Moltec, Natural Cotton Color, Nina Galle, Nomad Studio, Nova Kaeru, Savyon, Stampa Studio, Studio Icertain, and Studio Noir, representing the creative and productive diversity of Brazilian textile design.

Het bericht Abit and Abrapa Strengthen the Textile Chain at PV Paris verscheen eerst op IAF.

DIKNIGA lab of University of West Attica (UNIWA) participates to “InnovaTex” project, which is a co-funded by the European Union project, bringing together 8 partners from 5 countries (Romania, Greece, Italy, Ukraine, Moldova). It is designed as a systemic intervention aimed at modernising the vocational education and training (VET) ecosystem for the textile sector in Moldova and Ukraine. It responds to identified skills gaps by integrating digitalisation, smart textile technologies, and sustainability principles into VET provision, with a specific focus on 3D smart fabrics for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and technical textiles.

The project’s core objective is to increase the relevance, quality, and labour-market alignment of VET programmes by enhancing the digital, smart, and green competences of learners, educators, and industry professionals. Through this approach, InnovaTex supports the transition towards a more technologically advanced, resource-efficient, and resilient textile industry in the partner countries, leveraging the expertise and best practices of EU higher education institutions (HEIs) and vocational training providers.

The whole process enables the development of innovative, competency-based VET curricula that enhance learners’ employability and practical skills, particularly in 3D design, smart materials, and sustainable PPE manufacturing. A central component of the project is its advanced e-learning platform, which functions as both a training delivery and collaboration tool, with interactive learning modules in 3D textile simulation, digital camouflage, textile performance testing, and smart PPE development. Another important output is the establishment of two Smart Labs, one in Moldova and one in Ukraine, equipped with advanced 3D scanning, modelling, and textile testing technologies. All the activities will be operate with a common target to strengthening cross-sectoral and transnational cooperation between VET providers, universities, and industry stakeholders across Europe and promoting sustainable textile production practices, with measurable reductions in material waste and environmental impact. Through these interventions, InnovaTex contributes to the long-term structural upgrading of the textile VET sector, supporting workforce development, industrial innovation, and sustainable growth in the partner regions (Moldova, Ukraine).

Het bericht Transforming the vocational education and training (VET) landscape for the textile industry in Moldova and Ukraine. verscheen eerst op IAF.

Brazilian companies from the yarn, fabric, knitwear, trimmings, chemical inputs, technology and textile machinery segments will participate in the event, reinforcing the competitiveness and diversity of the national industry. The fair will be held from January 27 to 29 at the Plaza Mayor Convention Center in Medellín, Colombia.

In this 26th consecutive participation in the event, 41 companies will be present at Colombiatex, including 35 Brazilian exhibitors who have the support of Texbrasil (Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program), developed by Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency). The group is composed of: Altero, Brand Têxtil, Canatiba Têxtil, Capricórnio Têxtil, Cardenas, Cataguases, Cedro Têxtil, Chargeurs PCC Brasil, Coltex, Dalila Ateliê Têxtil, Diklatex, Doptex, Ematex WorkWear, Fabril Mascarenhas, FB do Brasil, Fiorella, Hyosung, Kalimo, Kirimurê Brasil, Linhas Trichê, Lunelli Têxtil, Martine Digital, Nilit/Sensil, Nova Kaeru, Pantextil, Paranatex Têxtil, Pollibox, Rovitex, Sancris Linhas, Fios e Zíperes, Santista Têxtil, Spa Têxtil, Tecelagem Columbia, Texneo, The LYCRA Company and Vicunha Têxtil.

Brazil will also be represented by machinery and equipment manufacturers through the Brazil Machinery Solutions Program, a sectoral project of ABIMAQ (Brazilian Association of Machinery and Equipment Industries) with ApexBrasil. The initiative includes the companies Audaces, Castilho Máquinas Têxteis, Comelato Roncato, Inarmeg Máquinas e Redutores, Socio Tec Automação, and SPGPrints.

Brazilian participation reflects the country’s commitment to expanding its presence at major international events in the textile and fashion sector. The expectation is that the 2026 edition will contribute to the generation of new business, the strengthening of commercial partnerships, and the expansion of Brazilian exports in the months following the fair.

“Colombiatex is a strategic showcase for the Brazilian textile industry in Latin America. The presence of our companies demonstrates the sector’s ability to offer innovative, sustainable, and competitive products, as well as strengthening commercial relations with a relevant market like Colombia,” says Rafael Cervone, executive director of the Texbrasil Program and president emeritus of Abit.

In the January 2025 edition, the Brazilian delegation held approximately 7,000 meetings. As for business, the outlook is close to USD 100 million, with USD 8.5

million in deals closed during the fair and an expectation of USD 91 million in future business.

Colombia imported approximately US$ 1.6 billion in textile products in 2024, with emphasis on the categories of cotton woven fabrics and artificial and synthetic knitted fabrics. In the same period, more than 70% of textile imports originated from Asian countries. Brazil ranked 6th, with 4% of the market, with approximately US$ 53.8 million.

The Colombian market stands out among the main destinations for Brazilian exports of textile machinery and equipment. In 2025, Colombia was the fourth largest destination, registering growth of 65% and reaching a volume of US$ 3.9 million.

Between 2024 and 2025, Colombia’s share of Brazilian exports in the textile machinery and equipment segment jumped from 4.3% to 9.1%. Five years ago, this share was only 2%.

“The growth in Colombia’s share of Brazilian exports of textile machinery and equipment demonstrates how the innovation and competitiveness of Brazilian solutions are gaining ground in the Colombian market, in a segment where Brazil is consolidating itself as a supplier of technology and competitive solutions,” advises Patrícia Gomes, Executive Director of Market at ABIMAQ.

Het bericht Brazilian textile industry brings diverse portfolio of 41 companies to Colombiatex 2026 verscheen eerst op IAF.

Committed to advancing the transition to sustainable development, Türkiye’s Apparel and Textile industry has recently launched a new project, jointly with the European Union, for the green transformation of this very important sector for our national economy. The project is specifically focused on supporting the reduction of carbon and water footprints in the production and export of Textile and Apparel goods, with needed transformative changes in relevant Chemicals and Transport sectors.

To meet the Green Deal objectives, a systemic, systematic, evidence-based transformation of the industrial sector is required, driven by collaborations between the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. It targets and collaborates with concerned industry networks and agencies (ITKIB, IHKIB, TIM, IKMIB, ITHIB, UND), providing tailored assistance in their transition towards circularity and sustainability, promoting eco-design, encouraging and accompanying the stakeholders to drastically improve their resource efficiency and environmental performance.

The project is expected to increase the competitiveness of concerned industries, while elaborating and implementing a comprehensive action programme in Turkiye on reducing carbon and water footprint, over a three-year period, Nov2025-Nov2028. It is aligned with the green transformation overall objective of the IPA-III project, which is financed within the framework of the financial cooperation of the European Union and the Republic of Turkiye.

The project brings together the apparel, textile, chemical and logistics sectors, which are the most important links of the ready-to-wear value chain. Throughout the implementation process, enabling capacity of companies to measure and reduce their carbon and water footprints will be enhanced, together with an active communication strategy to raise awareness, induce innovations and drive changes, making a significant contribution to the green transformation of concerned industries and the transition to a circular economy.

Highly Participatory, mainstreaming a culture of Innovation, Resilience, Responsibility and Sustainability, the project will be delivered through the Development of Green and White Policy Papers and Action Plans for Targeted Sectors. It will enhance the understanding and opportunities for action in the Value Chain and Environmental Footprint, while providing tailored Capacity Building for Project Partners, including IMA. DDM and EKOTEKS in addition to concerned networks and agencies, together with targeted Communication and Awareness Raising Activities.

The project is implemented from Istanbul with the technical assistance of GIZ and BYS Group.

Het bericht EU-Türkiye project on “Support to Sustainable Industry Transformation in the Key Sectors of Apparel, Textile, Chemical and International Transport” verscheen eerst op IAF.

The 12-month project, titled “Twin Transition in the Apparel Supply Chain,” is supported by the Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA) under the 2025 Twin Transition Financial Support Programme. İHKİB says the project is designed to help manufacturers build capability across both green transformation and digitalization, positioning suppliers to better respond to export-market expectations while improving competitiveness and productivity.

“Türkiye’s apparel sector has long been a strategic pillar of our export economy. With this project, we aim to strengthen the industry’s existing advantages by accelerating both green and digital transformation, and to build a sustainable, long-term capability base for our supply chain,” said Mustafa Paşahan, Vice President of İHKİB.

Digital + green service hub for suppliers

A central element of the project is the expansion of İHKİB’s Digital Transformation Center (DDM) into a Digital and Green Transformation Service Point, providing structured support for companies participating in the project.

Planned activities include digital and sustainability transformation assessments to measure operational and sustainability maturity, roadmaps, mentoring and advisory support for supplier upgrades, online seminars focused on transformation, including access to finance and consultancy for companies seeking EU and national funding schemes to accelerate transformation investments.

The project is implemented by İHKİB, in partnership with the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), and includes participation from 20+ companies, alongside engagement from institutions and global brand representatives.

Council to support sector alignment with export-market requirements

Project plans also include establishing a Twin Transition Council involving national and international stakeholders to support alignment with market expectations and contribute to broader sector-level transformation approaches.

The roadmap is structured around 10 core activities, culminating in an international conference titled: “Türkiye in the Twin Transition of the Apparel Supply Chain.”

The project was formally launched at a kick-off meeting at IHKIB premises in Istanbul, where stakeholders discussed the need for productivity-focused transformation efforts in the apparel sector.

Het bericht IHKIB launches “Twin Transition” project to help apparel suppliers meet brands’ low-carbon and traceability demands verscheen eerst op IAF.

The European Union’s Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products1 (ESPR) is set to reshape the way physical goods are designed, made and consumed.

Covering a range of physical goods categories, the regulation aims to make products more durable, circular and energy-efficient across their entire lifecycle.

At the heart of this initiative is the Digital Product Passport (DPP): a digital record that contains detailed information about a product. It serves as a digital

identity for the product, offering traceability and transparency throughout its lifecycle—from design to disposal—by making key information about materials,

production and environmental impact digitally accessible. To see how this could work in practice, a pilot was launched to test the concept on an unexpected but essential item: socks.

Explore the case study

Het bericht GS1 case study: Behind the seams: Digital insights in socks verscheen eerst op IAF.

The opening ceremony, held from 22 to 25 October at the Venetian Macao, stood out as particularly spectacular. It featured a groundbreaking robot fashion show, where a robot model took to the runway alongside six vibrant children, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable visual experience for the audience.

This innovative segment embodied the perfect fusion of fashion and advanced technology. Six emerging local designers crafted bespoke outfits for the robots, transforming their sleek mechanical forms into stunning displays of fashion vitality. The performance ignited a sense of boundless creativity, presenting a futuristic and captivating spectacle that successfully captured the attention of all attendees.

For more details, please visit the links below:

• CPTTM website: https://www.cpttm.org.mo/macao-fashion-festival-2025/
• CPTTM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpttm
• CPTTM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macaofashionfestival/

Het bericht Macao Fashion Festival Debuts Groundbreaking Robot Fashion Show verscheen eerst op IAF.