For more than a decade, Bangladesh's apparel industry has been on a continuous journey of transformation. Since the Rana Plaza tragedy, manufacturers have invested heavily in workplace safety, environmental compliance, cleaner production technologies, and improved labor practices. Today, factories are expected to go even further by reducing carbon emissions, adopting renewable energy, implementing chemical management protocols, enhancing traceability, and preparing for increasingly complex reporting requirements.

These expectations are not unreasonable. Sustainability is no longer optional. It is essential for the future competitiveness and legitimacy of the global fashion industry.

However, an uncomfortable question continues to be overlooked: who pays for this transition?

The reality on the factory floor presents a troubling contradiction. While brands continue to raise expectations regarding sustainability performance, the commercial terms offered to suppliers often fail to reflect the actual cost of meeting those standards. Manufacturers are being asked to invest in solar energy systems, wastewater treatment technologies, certifications, audits, and digital compliance systems while operating under relentless pressure to reduce prices.

Sustainability comes at a cost.

Wages in Bangladesh's garment sector have risen significantly over the past decade, reflecting the industry's responsibility toward its workforce. Energy costs have also increased substantially, adding further pressure to already thin margins. At the same time, compliance requirements have expanded rapidly. Higg assessments, ZDHC implementation, sustainability reporting frameworks, certifications, and repeated audits all demand financial resources and management attention.

Yet the prices paid for garments have not kept pace with these realities. In many cases, real unit prices have actually declined after accounting for inflation. This creates an unsustainable equation. Factories are expected to meet 2026 sustainability standards using commercial models built on pricing structures from a decade ago.

The consequences extend far beyond profitability. When margins continue to erode, manufacturers have fewer resources to invest in worker development, productivity enhancement, automation, and environmental improvements. More importantly, the industry risks creating a system where responsible practices become financially punitive rather than commercially rewarding.

The global fashion industry often promotes the idea that clothing can be simultaneously cheap, fast, ethical, fully traceable, and environmentally responsible. Consumers increasingly expect this combination. Brands publicly commit to ambitious sustainability goals. But achieving all these objectives without acknowledging their cost is unrealistic.

Responsible sourcing must go beyond audits and supplier scorecards. It requires responsible purchasing practices. Brands that demand higher standards should recognize the financial implications of those expectations through fair pricing mechanisms, longer-term sourcing commitments, improved payment terms, and collaborative investment models for decarbonization initiatives.

Sustainability cannot succeed if suppliers bear all the financial burden while other stakeholders capture most of the value. The transition towards a more responsible apparel industry requires shared accountability and shared investment.

Bangladesh's garment sector has repeatedly demonstrated resilience and commitment to progress. But resilience should not be mistaken for an unlimited capacity to absorb rising costs. If the industry genuinely wants sustainable supply chains, it must accept a fundamental truth: sustainability has a price. The question is not whether that price exists, but whether the global fashion ecosystem is willing to pay it.

As Bangladesh's apparel industry continues its journey towards smarter, greener, and more efficient manufacturing, technology providers are increasingly expected to deliver solutions beyond equipment sales. In this exclusive interview with Textile Today, Dhiman C. Das, Managing Director of Mindway Technologies Ltd., shares how his company is helping garment manufacturers reduce cutting costs, improve energy efficiency, optimize space utilization, and strengthen after-sales service through a solution-driven approach.

Textile Today: What drives Mindway Technologies' solution-oriented approach beyond machinery sales?

Dhiman C. Das: From the beginning, our primary focus has always been to provide technological solutions that genuinely improve factory performance.

Before proposing any solution, we conduct detailed calculations, feasibility studies, and layout planning. Our team works closely with customers to determine whether a particular investment is suitable for their current production scale and business needs.

Textile Today: How are your solutions helping factories reduce operational costs?

Dhiman C. Das: One of the major areas we are focusing on is reducing per-piece cutting costs. Recently, we successfully implemented several projects where factories were able to reduce manpower requirements and lower cutting costs significantly.

These successful implementations have resulted in repeat business, and we have already signed several new projects with existing customers. We are optimistic about introducing another 30 to 40 spreading machines in the market within this year.

Textile Today: How is Mindway helping garment factories optimize space utilization?

Dhiman C. Das: Space constraints are becoming increasingly critical for many factories. To address this, we have introduced steam relaxation technology, which significantly changes traditional fabric handling practices.

Conventionally, fabrics need to remain in relaxation areas for around 14 to 15 hours before cutting. With our steam relaxation system, fabrics can be processed and used almost instantly.

This reduces the need for large waiting areas, lowers work-in-progress (WIP) inventory, optimizes floor space utilization, and accelerates the entire cutting process.

Textile Today: How is Mindway supporting sustainable and green manufacturing in the garment industry?

Dhiman C. Das: Energy efficiency is one of the fundamental pillars of green manufacturing. We have integrated inverter systems into our machines to minimize energy consumption.

We are also adopting three-phase motor systems, replacing conventional single-phase setups in many applications. In our automatic cutting solutions, conveyor-based feeding systems ensure that motors operate only when required, reducing unnecessary power usage.

Additionally, we have introduced paperless leveling solutions. Previously, factories required multiple plotter machines and extensive paper consumption. Today, a single leveling system can perform those operations more efficiently with significantly reduced resource usage.

Textile Today: How does Mindway differentiate itself through after-sales service?

Dhiman C. Das: We have built our team to provide support whenever customers need us. Our service engineers remain available even outside conventional working hours. Preventive maintenance activities are regularly conducted, including on Fridays, to minimize unexpected breakdowns.

Our target is to respond to customer calls within two hours. After every service intervention, we communicate with customers through detailed reports outlining completed work and recommendations for future preventive actions. We strongly believe that proactive maintenance can significantly reduce machine downtime.

Textile Today: Why do you maintain spare parts inventory before machine installation?

Dhiman C. Das: In many cases, factories experience delays because replacement parts need to be claimed from suppliers after breakdowns occur. To eliminate this waiting period, we maintain essential spare parts in our own inventory even before machine delivery. When a breakdown happens, our engineers immediately use available stock to restore operations.

Only afterward do we initiate the replacement claim process with suppliers. This ensures that customers do not suffer production losses while waiting for parts.

Textile Today: What validates Mindway's customer-centric approach?

Dhiman C. Das: For us, repeat orders are the strongest validation. When customers come back with new projects, it means they trust both our solutions and our after-sales support. We believe that by understanding customers' real operational challenges and delivering practical technological solutions, we can continue contributing meaningfully to Bangladesh's garment industry.

Textile Exchange has published a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing updated environmental impact data for both virgin and recycled polyester production systems. The study aims to help brands, manufacturers, and policymakers make more informed sustainability decisions across the textile and apparel value chain.

The assessment includes what Textile Exchange describes as the first publicly available environmental impact data for virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production in Southeast Asia, a region that accounts for more than half of global virgin PET production.

The study examines virgin polyester production in Southeast Asia and recycled polyester production in China, Europe, and the United States. It follows a cradle to gate methodology, covering impacts from raw material extraction through fiber formation.

According to Textile Exchange, the research also introduces new data on both thermomechanical and chemical recycling technologies while identifying key environmental hotspots across different polyester production routes. Major impact areas include virgin fossil based feedstocks, waste collection and sorting, energy consumption, and transportation.

Beth Jensen, Chief Impact Officer at Textile Exchange, said the study represents a significant update to existing polyester LCA data and strengthens industry understanding of polyester production impacts. The findings are expected to support the transition toward lower-impact production systems.

Beyond environmental indicators, the study adopts an "LCA+" approach that also evaluates human rights impacts associated with polyester production. Textile Exchange said this broader perspective can help companies better understand risks and opportunities across polyester supply chains.

The organization plans to integrate the new dataset into major sustainability databases, including Higg MSI, Ecoinvent, and Quantis WALDB during 2026. The data is intended to serve as a reliable proxy where source specific LCA information is not available.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has nominated Md. Shahmij Bokul, Managing Director of B A Fashionwear Ltd., as Chairman of the BGMEA Standing Committee on Small Cottage Industry.

The nomination is announced by Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of BGMEA.

The committee has been formed to support the development of small and cottage-based garment enterprises, which play an important role in Bangladesh's apparel value chain. BGMEA believes these businesses can contribute to employment generation, entrepreneurship development, and supply chain diversification.

The move reflects BGMEA's growing focus on supporting smaller enterprises alongside large export-oriented factories. Industry experts believe that strengthening cottage and small-scale manufacturing units can help create new business opportunities, develop local entrepreneurship, and improve backward linkage support for the apparel sector.

Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry remains the country's largest export-earning sector. While large factories dominate export production, thousands of small and medium enterprises contribute to subcontracting, value-added services, accessories production, and local supply chain operations.

The formation of the Standing Committee on Small Cottage Industry is expected to create a platform for addressing challenges faced by smaller businesses, including access to finance, technology adoption, skill development, compliance improvement, and market connectivity.

With dedicated leadership and industry participation, the committee is expected to support inclusive growth across Bangladesh's garment manufacturing ecosystem and strengthen the contribution of small enterprises to the country's textile and apparel sector.

In a recent conversation with Textile Today, Md. Shahmij Bokul welcomed the government's efforts to introduce greater policy predictability through the national budget, saying the long-term policy roadmap would help businesses make investment and expansion plans with more confidence.

He noted that the budget outlines policy directions and the duration of certain facilities over the coming years, providing much-needed continuity for businesses. However, he said the industry's expectations regarding export incentives were only partially addressed. While the tax on incentives has been reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent, the industry had sought a full exemption to further support exporters.

Dekko Accessories Ltd. and Agami Accessories Ltd., concerns of Dekko Legacy Group, have appointed Najeeb Sayed Akbar as their new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

The company announced the appointment through an official statement, welcoming Akbar to the organization and expressing confidence in his leadership as the company continues its growth journey.

Najeeb Sayed brings more than 20 years of experience in global apparel sourcing, supply chain management, and vendor development. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles with internationally recognized retailers and brands, including PVH and Marks & Spencer.

According to the company, Najeeb Sayed has a proven track record in driving operational excellence, strengthening global business cultures, and developing high-performing teams. His extensive industry expertise is expected to support Dekko Accessories and Agami Accessories in expanding their market presence and enhancing customer engagement.

Notably, the appointment reflects the company's commitment to strengthening its leadership team and accelerating business growth in the evolving global apparel and accessories market.

Germany has pledged continued support for Vietnam’s green transition through technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and long-term business cooperation, according to discussions held at the Germany-Vietnam Business Forum 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The forum, jointly organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) and the German Business Association (GBA), focused on the theme “Circular economy in manufacturing,” highlighting opportunities for sustainable industrial development.

Participants noted that stronger cooperation between Germany and Vietnam is creating new prospects for sustainable manufacturing and circular economy growth, especially as global supply chains increasingly prioritize resource efficiency and resilience.

German Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Andrea Suhl said that amid growing geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain disruptions, the circular economy has become a strategic tool to enhance economic resilience and safeguard production.

She added that combining German technological expertise with Vietnam’s strong manufacturing base and commitment to transformation would open significant opportunities in green production, supporting industries, digital transformation, supply chain management, and eco-industrial park development.

ITPC Deputy Director Cao Thi Phi Van said that this collaboration would help drive sustainable industrial growth in Vietnam, while German Business Association (GBA) Vietnam Chairman Alexander Ziehe noted that Ho Chi Minh City is well positioned to integrate circular economy principles into its next phase of industrial development.

Participants agreed that sustainable manufacturing now goes beyond environmental concerns to include digitalization, data management, and end-to-end supply chain optimization.

They further stressed the need for increased investment in innovation, workforce development, and public-private partnerships to scale up circular economy models and strengthen Vietnam’s role in global manufacturing networks.

Indian textile manufacturer Prestige Denim Mills will invest $20 million in a denim fabric production facility in Egypt’s West Qantara Industrial Zone, under the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), marking the first Indian investment in the area.

According to SCZONE, the project will be developed on a 100,000-square-metre site and is expected to generate around 1,000 direct jobs. The facility will have an annual production capacity of up to 20 million meters of denim fabric.

The integrated unit will include weaving, dyeing, and finishing operations. Around 70 percent of the output will be exported to international markets, while the remaining share will serve domestic demand.

The investment agreement was signed at SCZONE headquarters in Egypt’s New Capital in the presence of Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman, SCZONE.

“This project represents the first Indian investment in West Qantara Industrial Zone and builds on the success of Indian investments within the Suez Canal Economic Zone,” said Gamal El-Dien.

He added that ongoing infrastructure development and industrial expansion initiatives have helped attract textile and garment manufacturers to the zone.

According to SCZONE, cumulative investments in textile and ready-made garment projects in West Qantara have now exceeded $1 billion.

Major fashion brands, including Zara, H&M, Primark, and Uniqlo, are expanding textile-to-textile recycling initiatives as new circularity regulations place greater responsibility on brands to manage textile waste and end-of-life products.

The shift comes as the global fashion industry generates around 92 million tons of textile waste annually. With governments introducing stricter regulations on waste management and producer responsibility, brands are increasingly investing in recycling solutions to support circular business models.

The European Union's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for textiles is among the most significant policy developments driving this transition. The regulation requires brands to contribute to the collection, sorting, reuse, and recycling of textile products after consumer use.

In response, H&M has expanded the use of Renew Cell’s Circulose recycled material across its collections. Zara has partnered with recycling innovators Amber Cycle and Circ to integrate textile-to-textile recycled fibers into commercial products. Primark is advancing its Textile Takeback program in partnership with Yellow Octopus, while Uniqlo continues to strengthen its RE.UNIQLO initiative through in-store collection and recycling programs.

The growing demand for circular materials is also creating opportunities for recycling technology providers. Companies including Circ, Circulose, Infinited Fibre Company, Erdotex, Recover, RE&UP, Worn Again Technologies, and Fiberly are developing solutions that convert textile waste into new raw materials.

US-based Circ has developed technology capable of separating cotton and polyester from blended textile waste, while Sweden-based Circulose transforms discarded textiles into dissolving pulp for the production of new man-made cellulosic fibers. Finland's Infinited Fibre Company produces Infinna fiber from cotton-rich textile waste, supporting the industry's move toward recycled feedstocks.

India is also strengthening its textile recycling ecosystem as manufacturers prepare for growing sustainability requirements in key export markets.

Vardhman Textiles has launched ReNova, a recycling facility that converts pre-consumer and post-consumer textile waste into Global Recycled Standard certified recycled cotton and polyester fibers. Surat-based CanvaLoop is producing Agro-Lyocell fibers from agricultural waste, while ReCircle has established a textile recovery facility that collects, sorts, and recycles textile waste streams.

According to the company's latest impact report, ReCircle returned more than 129,000 metric tonnes of dry waste to the value chain during FY25. Panipat-based Respun reported diverting 6,160 tonnes of textile waste from landfills in 2025 while reducing approximately 33.6 million kilograms of carbon emissions.

Strategic partnerships are also accelerating commercialization. Birla Cellulose and Circ have signed a long-term agreement under which Birla Cellulose plans to purchase up to 5,000 tons of Circ's recycled pulp annually from Circ's first commercial-scale facility in France.

Despite increasing momentum, challenges remain. Chemical recycling technologies require significant investment and resources, while mechanical recycling can reduce fiber quality. Limited collection and sorting infrastructure and higher recycling costs continue to restrict large-scale adoption.

Industry estimates suggest that less than one percent of textiles globally is recycled back into new textile products. As regulations tighten and brands face growing sustainability expectations, textile-to-textile recycling is expected to become a critical component of the future circular fashion economy.

Bangladesh must work with global-scale port operators to modernize its ports and improve trade competitiveness, according to Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority.

He made the remarks on June 13 while presenting a paper at the conference, Roadmap for Trade, Growth and Economic Diplomacy 2026 – Navigating Risks: Leveraging Resilience, held in Dhaka. The event was jointly organized by the International Trade, Investment and Technology Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BIDA.

Ashik highlighted the need for major improvements in Bangladesh's port and logistics infrastructure. Referring to the latest global container port performance ranking by the World Bank, Bangladesh ranked 364th among 400 ports worldwide.

“This tells us our work is cut out, and we are a very proud nation,” he said.

The ranking reflects the challenges Bangladesh faces in a rapidly changing global economy. To remain competitive, the country must improve logistics performance and adapt to evolving trade requirements.

Addressing concerns from the business community, investors often identify gas shortages, logistics bottlenecks, and excessive regulations as major barriers to investment and industrial growth.

The government is pursuing a broad reform agenda to address these issues. He also described the proposed FY2026-27 national budget as one of the most investor-friendly budgets in recent years, with a strong emphasis on deregulation and business facilitation.

On the energy front, Ashik emphasized that a reliable and uninterrupted power supply remains a critical requirement for investors, particularly in manufacturing industries.

To strengthen energy security, the government plans to expand renewable energy generation by allocating unused public land for large-scale solar projects and simplifying rooftop solar installation policies.

He also stressed the importance of diversifying Bangladesh's energy sources. A dedicated government team is currently working on long-term solutions for the oil and gas sector.

Bangladesh is lagging five to ten years behind in energy infrastructure development. To address this gap, priority is being given to projects such as additional floating storage and regasification unit capacity, a land-based LNG terminal, and the expansion of the second unit of Eastern Refinery Limited.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has welcomed the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026-27, describing it as a business-friendly and reform-oriented framework.

The budget aims to strengthen economic stability, facilitate investment, and support Bangladesh’s long-term development goals, added BGMEA.

In a statement reacting to the budget proposal titled “Journey Toward a Democratic, Humane and Inclusive Economy,” BGMEA praised Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury for maintaining economic discipline and pursuing policies designed to improve the business environment amid global and domestic economic challenges.

According to BGMEA, the proposed budget marks a shift from a purely growth-driven approach toward broader development objectives, placing greater emphasis on education, healthcare, and social protection.

Also, the government has set a 6.5% economic growth target for the next fiscal year and identified 10 strategic priorities, including investment-led employment generation, production-oriented industrialization, deregulation, financial sector stability, and energy security.

BGMEA said these priorities would play an important role in supporting industrial expansion, export growth, and Bangladesh’s smooth transition from least developed country (LDC) status.

BGMEA particularly welcomed several reform measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business. These include a commitment to maintain tax policy consistency for at least five years, the introduction of a risk-based audit system to reduce dependence on Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs), and the launch of an automated and faceless tax refund system.

The association also praised the decision to treat withholding tax as advance tax instead of minimum tax, saying the measure would reduce compliance burdens and improve business cash flow.

Other positive initiatives highlighted by BGMEA include mandatory online single-window services, a seven-day timeline for issuing licenses, and a commitment to complete company registration within 48 hours. The association said these reforms would significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles and lower the cost of doing business.

BGMEA further welcomed provisions aimed at attracting foreign investment, including easier profit repatriation and expedited work permits for foreign professionals.

The association also praised the government’s renewable energy initiatives, including a zero percent tax rate on solar power generation until 2035, a five percent tax rebate for solar power users, and full duty and tax exemptions on solar energy equipment imports through 2031.

In addition, BGMEA welcomed the reduction of tax on recycled products from 3% to 1%, continuation of duty exemptions on effluent treatment plant (ETP) chemicals, modernization of the bonded warehouse system, quarterly value-added tax (VAT) return filing, and incentives for environmentally friendly battery manufacturing.

The association also welcomed the withdrawal of the 10% supplementary duty on imports of synthetic woven fabrics under the bonded warehouse facility.

Despite its overall positive assessment, BGMEA urged the government to provide additional support to the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which it said continues to face significant challenges due to global economic uncertainty and rising domestic costs.

According to the association, apparel export earnings declined by 3.41% during the current fiscal year, while average unit prices fell by 1.55% and back-to-back letters of credit (LCs) opened for raw material imports dropped by 7.93%. BGMEA said nearly 400 garment factories have closed over the past three years as a result of these pressures.

To address these challenges, BGMEA proposed reducing the source tax on apparel exports from the current 1% to 0.65% and maintaining that rate for the next five years, and requested a complete exemption from income tax on cash incentives, citing ongoing liquidity constraints.

BGMEA further called for the removal of double taxation on subcontracting activities, protection of the sector’s preferential corporate tax rates, and withdrawal of the proposed 5% import duty on polyester staple fiber (PSF) as well as additional duties on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin.

The association said such measures are essential to support Bangladesh’s growing man-made fiber-based apparel industry and strengthen the sector’s global competitiveness after LDC graduation.

BGMEA emphasized that the garment industry remains the country’s largest source of export earnings and employment, and stressed the need for lower business costs, reliable energy supplies, and simplified customs and port procedures to sustain future growth.

The organization expressed hope that the government would consider its recommendations while finalizing the national budget.

Textiles Recycling Expo Europe 2026 will take place on 24-25 June 2026 at the Brussels Expo in Brussels, bringing together international stakeholders to showcase the latest developments in textile recycling, waste management, and circular material innovation.

The two-day exhibition and conference will focus on addressing the growing challenge of textile waste across apparel, footwear, fibers, fabrics, and nonwoven materials. Industry leaders, recyclers, manufacturers, technology providers, brands, and sustainability professionals are expected to participate in discussions on how the textile sector can accelerate the transition toward a circular economy.

The exhibition will feature advanced sorting, shredding, and recycling technologies designed to improve resource recovery and reduce textile waste. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore innovative fiber and fabric solutions developed from reclaimed and recycled materials.

A key highlight of the event will be its conference program, which will host expert speakers, panel discussions, and industry presentations covering policy developments, technological advancements, investment opportunities, and scalable recycling solutions. The sessions are expected to provide valuable insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and the future of textile circularity in Europe and beyond.

As sustainability requirements become increasingly important across global supply chains, the event aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders seeking practical solutions to improve material recovery, reduce landfill waste, and create value from post-consumer and post-industrial textile streams.

The expo is expected to attract a diverse audience, including textile recyclers, waste management companies, fiber and textile manufacturers, machinery suppliers, retailers, fashion brands, and circular economy experts. Organizers believe the event will serve as an important platform for knowledge exchange, business networking, and partnership development.

With the European Union continuing to strengthen its circular economy ambitions and textile sustainability regulations, Textiles Recycling Expo Europe 2026 is expected to play a significant role in supporting industry efforts toward more sustainable and resource-efficient textile production systems.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has announced a series of customs and trade facilitation measures in the proposed FY2026–27 budget.

The proposal aimed at strengthening export competitiveness, diversifying exports and simplifying business operations.

Presenting the national budget in parliament, the minister said the government plans to extend customs bonded warehouse facilities to all export-oriented sectors, expanding access beyond the ready-made garment (RMG) industry.

The move is expected to help unlock export potential in emerging sectors while maintaining safeguards against misuse.

As part of the reforms, the government proposed exempting 100 percent export-oriented compliant garment factories from mandatory annual bond audits.

In addition, the validity of general bonds for fully export-oriented manufacturers of leather goods, footwear, towels, linen and home textiles will be extended from one year to three years.

The proposed measures also include removing restrictions on one-time raw material stockholding in bonded warehouses and reducing the advance requirement for obtaining Utilization Permission (UP) from 48 hours to 24 hours before shipment.

The finance minister also announced that 10 additional export-oriented sectors will be allowed to import raw materials duty-free against bank guarantees.

Furthermore, the minimum 30 percent value-addition requirement for businesses importing inputs under this arrangement and exporting finished goods will be abolished.

Additionally, the government proposed withdrawing the existing 10 percent supplementary duty on imports of synthetic woven fabrics, a measure expected to benefit manufacturers using synthetic materials.

To improve trade efficiency, the government aims to double the rate of goods clearance under the System-Based Self-Assessment process for enterprises operating under the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program.

The budget also proposes allowing customs authorities to use Bangladesh Accreditation Board-accredited private laboratories, in addition to government laboratories, to verify the quality and conformity of imported goods under internationally recognized ISO standards.

Supporting environmental compliance, the government intends to extend customs duty exemptions on chemicals imported by export-oriented factories for operating effluent treatment plants (ETPs) until 30 June 2027.

At the same time, a 5 percent import duty has been proposed on polyester staple fiber to provide protection for domestic manufacturers and encourage import substitution.

The proposed measures form part of the government's broader strategy to simplify trade procedures, reduce business costs, promote export diversification and strengthen the competitiveness of Bangladesh's export-oriented industries.

Textile companies can accelerate their transition to more sustainable and agile production with the latest EFI™ Reggiani innovations showcased at ITM 2026. Located in Hall 4, stand 404A, EFI Reggiani presented its expanded ecoTERRA pigment portfolio, alongside new advancements in high-performance digital printing, inks, and end-to-end workflow solutions.

At the core of the presentation is EFI Reggiani’s vision for a textile industry shaped by nearshoring, on-demand production, and true sustainability across the entire lifecycle.

The highlight of the showcase is the continued expansion of the EFI Reggiani ecoTERRA platform, the all-in-one solution for water-based pigment printing that eliminates complex pre- and post-treatment processes. By significantly reducing water, energy, and chemical consumption, ecoTERRA enables customers to achieve a more efficient and environmentally responsible production model.

Building on this success, EFI Reggiani introduces ecoTERRA Titan, designed for industrial environments requiring higher productivity and enhanced versatility. Compared to the ecoTERRA Gold, Titan delivers a significant step forward in terms of production speed and overall throughput, enabling customers to scale industrial volumes more efficiently. With optimized workflow, increased automation, and advanced configuration options, ecoTERRA Titan ensures superior performance while preserving all the sustainability benefits of the ecoTERRA platform, including reduced water, energy, and chemical consumption.

EFI Reggiani will also highlight ecoNEXT Plus, supporting on-demand production models with fast turnaround times, simplified processes, and easy integration into digital workflows thanks to its lean configuration. Available in 3.4m width and optimised for printing on non‑elastic woven fabrics, the solution is ideal for a wide range of applications, including home textiles and accessories, while standing out for its extremely low water consumption, helping customers drastically reduce their environmental footprint.

In addition, the company will present EFI Reggiani TERRA Plus, a new high-performance pigment ink offering outstanding colour quality, durability, and versatility across a wide range of fabrics, including natural, blended, and synthetic materials, with recent expansion to polyamide applications.

Visitors also discovered the latest developments in high-speed digital printing, including enhancements to the EFI Reggiani HYPER machine for improved quality and productivity, such as the High-Quality Booster, which further strengthens its performance in demanding production environments, and the EFI Reggiani EXTRA, delivering exceptional colour flexibility and performance for demanding applications.

The EFI Reggiani ecosystem is completed by advanced digital tools such as EFI Reggiani QUERY, enabling real-time monitoring of production performance, cost per metre, and sustainability metrics, empowering customers to optimize efficiency and control their environmental footprint.

“The textile industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the need for more sustainable, agile, and localized production models,” said Vincenzo Marino, General Manager, EFI Textile. “With the introduction of ecoTERRA Titan, we are taking our pigment platform to the next level, delivering an industrial solution that combines high productivity, versatility, and true sustainability in a single workflow. Together with our broader ecoTERRA portfolio, we enable customers to simplify operations, reduce environmental impact, and scale on-demand production without compromising quality.”

EFI™ is a global technology company, leading the worldwide transformation from analogue to digital imaging. We understand our customers want breakthrough technologies to lead them through their digital journey. That’s why we’re passionate about driving their business growth with a scalable portfolio of products, solutions, services, support, and world-class partnerships for the manufacturing of signage, packaging, textiles, ceramic tiles, building materials, commercial print, and personalised documents with a wide range of printers, inks, digital front ends, and workflow software. 

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) has launched its new Strategy 2030 roadmap, outlining a long-term plan to strengthen human rights protections across global textile and apparel supply chains.

The report, titled Strategy 2030: Advancing Human Rights in Global Supply Chains, aims to help ETI members and business partners embed worker-centered human rights due diligence (HRDD) into their sourcing and purchasing practices.

According to ETI, responsible purchasing practices must become a core element of corporate human rights due diligence programs. The organization believes that purchasing decisions made by brands and retailers have a direct impact on working conditions, wages, and labor rights throughout supply chains.

The strategy also places strong emphasis on worker representation and freedom of association. ETI said effective worker participation is essential for identifying risks, addressing workplace issues, and improving labor standards across manufacturing operations.

The roadmap comes at a time when global regulations on corporate sustainability and human rights due diligence are becoming increasingly important. ETI noted that companies are facing growing expectations from governments, investors, consumers, and civil society organizations to demonstrate responsible business conduct and transparency in their supply chains.

Under the new strategy, ETI will work with member companies, trade unions, and civil society organizations to promote stronger human rights practices. The initiative aims to support businesses in integrating responsible purchasing, improving worker engagement, and responding to evolving regulatory requirements.

For the textile and apparel industry, the roadmap highlights the importance of moving beyond compliance-based approaches toward more systemic efforts that address the root causes of labor rights challenges. ETI believes that stronger collaboration between brands, suppliers, workers, and other stakeholders will be necessary to achieve lasting improvements.

Gap Inc. has achieved two major sustainability goals. The US apparel retailer now sources 100% of its cotton from more sustainable sources and uses 65% recycled polyester across its product range.

The update was shared in the company's latest sustainability report.

Gap Inc. is the parent company of brands such as Gap Inc., Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta.

The company said the cotton target reflects years of work to improve sourcing practices. Sustainable cotton programs help reduce environmental impact and support more responsible farming methods.

Gap also reported strong progress in recycled materials. The company said 65% of the polyester used in its products now comes from recycled sources. This helps reduce the use of virgin fossil fuel-based materials and supports a more circular textile industry.

The report highlighted progress in climate action as well. Gap said it has reduced its combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared with its 2017 baseline. Scope 1 emissions come from company operations, while Scope 2 emissions are linked to purchased electricity and energy use.

The company also continues to invest in worker development programs across its global supply chain. These efforts focus on skills development, workplace improvement, and long-term supply chain resilience.

The announcement comes as the retailer faces a challenging business environment. In its latest quarter, Gap reported net sales of $3.5 billion, up 1% from the previous year. However, the result was below market expectations.

The achievement reflects a broader trend in the global apparel industry. Brands are increasing their use of sustainable fibers and recycled materials as they work to meet climate goals, improve transparency, and respond to changing customer expectations.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has launched its Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0, marking the most significant update to its corporate climate framework and introducing a new approach to supply chain emissions and carbon credits.

The revised standard comes after two years of consultation, debate, and organizational changes within the SBTi. The framework applies to more than 11,000 companies worldwide that have validated science-based climate targets.

One of the key changes in Version 2.0 is the introduction of a "best-efforts" approach for addressing value chain emissions. The framework recognizes that companies often have limited control over suppliers, logistics partners, and technologies that are not yet commercially available at scale.

Under the updated standard, businesses are expected to demonstrate credible efforts to reduce emissions across their operations.The new framework also provides updated guidance on the use of carbon credits.

While direct emissions reductions remain the primary priority, the standard offers greater clarity on how companies can support climate action beyond their value chains through high-quality environmental initiatives.

For the textile and apparel industry, the revised standard is particularly significant because a large share of sector emissions originates in upstream supply chains, including raw material production, textile processing, dyeing, finishing, and logistics. Many apparel brands have faced challenges in reducing Scope 3 emissions due to limited influence over suppliers operating across multiple countries.

The updated standard aims to create a more practical pathway for companies to pursue net-zero commitments while encouraging continuous progress on emissions reduction.

SBTi said the revised standard reflects lessons learned from the rapid growth of corporate climate commitments and seeks to balance scientific rigor with implementation realities. The organization expects the new framework to help companies accelerate decarbonization efforts while improving transparency and accountability in net-zero reporting.

As global brands continue to strengthen climate requirements for suppliers, the updated standard is likely to have important implications for textile and apparel manufacturers seeking to remain competitive in international sourcing markets.