Taiwan gears up for 27th TITAS with 381 global exhibitors

Taiwan’s textile industry ranks first in the world in terms of functional and green fabrics and stakeholders are continuously transforming, upgrading, and actively engaging in innovative R&D. TITAS is Asia’s key sourcing platform for textiles and clothing, and participation in the event continues to rise. The number of exhibitors in 2023 has increased by 3.8 per cent from 2022, and there are 6 per cent more booths this year, organiser Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) said in a press release. 

This year, overseas exhibitors are actively exploring new business opportunities after borders are opened. Three country pavilions attach great importance to Taiwan as an important market. The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) led six Italian suppliers of textile machinery and digital printing solutions to TITAS. The Indian Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) also organised six companies and their exhibits include PET bottle recycled yarn, fabrics for garments, industrial fabrics, and non-woven fabrics. The Korean Pavilion is led by the Daegu Gyeonbuk Textile Industries Association and nine companies specialising in fashion and functional products. There are also individual exhibitors such as Cotton Council International, Polygiene, Organoclick, and Emtec, displaying innovative sustainable, and functional textile technologies and solutions.

“The textile industry is facing a situation that is more serious than the financial crisis. It is expected that the order situation has gradually improved since 2023 Q3, and a significant recovery is expected to begin in 2023 Q4. Taiwan’s export value of textiles in the first eight months of this year declined by 30 per cent yearly and experienced an annual decrease of 22 per cent yearly in export volume. Many textile companies have transitioned to automation and digitalisation and invested in overseas production expansion. They are preparing to make a big leap forward next year”, said Justin Huang, president of the Taiwan Textile Federation.

The event’s core themes reflect the mainstream trends shaping the global market. These are sustainability, functional applications, and intelligent manufacturing.

Driven by the net-zero wave in the global supply chain, textile companies are actively transforming their businesses into low-carbon operations. Building a green supply chain is critical for companies developing sustainable credentials. As leading brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon (to name but a few) set net-zero carbon reduction goals, Taiwan’s textile industry—which plays an important role in the global value chain—is actively building a functional and green supply chain to cater for buyers’ needs.

The highlight of innovative technology that is being used to promote the sustainable development of functional textiles will be showcased at TITAS. For example, FENC TOPGREEN BIO3 fabric incorporates the concept of green fashion into product design and received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. Formosa Chemicals & Fibre’s (FCFC) recycled nylon from waste marine fishing nets has been expanded to clothing applications in athleisure wear and footwear. Formosa Taffeta has launched bio-plastic elastic yarn, which uses non-edible industrial corn and is transformed into biomass materials through fermentation technology. Exhibitor LIBOLON has developed a green circulation concept with a ‘water circular economy’. Yi Shin’s Magic Recycle-WTG (waste to goods) is composed of Global Recycled Standard-certified recycled yarn made from pre-consumer textile waste and post-consumer plastic bottles. Shinkong Synthetic Fibre’s Cycora recycled fabrics are a waste regeneration project through a collaboration between Shinkong and Ambercycle. GrandeTex’s Secao yarn is the result of its partnership project with the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI). Zig Sheng showcases its Bluecircle yarn, a 100 per cent textile recycled yarn, and N66 Soufflex, a low fibre-shedding and stretchy yarn.

Functional textiles have a wide range of applications involving comfort, health, leisure, sports, safety, protection, and medical and physiological functions. The innovative development of fabrics and manufacturing technology has become the main driving force for the innovation of functional textiles. For example, Eclat has developed a revolutionary, inherently soft material called Softform, which serves as a green alternative to peached materials. Tex-Ray’s Eco Trans patented technology is a high-resolution printing process developed for sustainable environmental protection. Nylon fibre manufacturer Chain Yarn will demonstrate its commitment to innovation and development in nylon fibres. Grand Textile obtained several patents including Stone Cold (cooling technology), Coffee Charcoal (thermal regulation), and Color Max (dyeing technique creating spray dye/tie dye effect). The SINGTEX S.Café eco2sy plus is made from coffee and recycled PET bottles and has the ability to absorb undesired body odour. Everest has developed biodegradable waterproof and breathable membranes, coupled with laminated products made from biodegradable fibres.

Digital technology applications such as sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud computing, big data analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI) are integral to the future success of the textile and apparel value chain. These applications can help companies improve energy efficiency, reduce production energy consumption, and optimise energy utilisation in supply chain processes. They can also measure supply chain carbon emission performance and, through this quantification, reduce carbon emissions. Digital technologies also help companies to build a resilient supply chain, achieve lean production, effectively reduce waste, and move towards ESG goals. For example, Pailung’s AlterKnit technology is said to revolutionise circular knitting. New Wide adheres to the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ in water resource utilisation. Its Intelligent Data Control Centre (IDCC) can optimise production schedules and address abnormalities, leading to a 20 per cent increase in overall efficiency. Oshima will also demonstrate its fabric-spreading machine, which has full real-time monitoring to watch their manufacturing line from anywhere. Acme Intergroup will exhibit its compact digital textile printer.

The Trends Zone is the best sourcing field for buyers who can easily access and explore the latest textiles and innovations. Over 500 selected products showcase the latest trends and collections. The Trend Zone has two highlights in textiles—sustainability and functional applications. The sustainability focus is on sustainable materials and sustainable manufacturing materials. Sustainable materials include fibre modification and bio-based materials, pre-consumer recycled materials, and post-consumer recycled materials. The focus of sustainable manufacturing materials is on materials made from solution-dyed, low-liquor ratio dyeing, waterless dyeing, low-temperature dyeing, solvent-free, cool transfer printing, etc. Functional applications will be highlighted in sports textiles and industrial textiles. Sports textiles can be used in indoor, outdoor, and water sports. The types of industrial textiles include functions of high protection properties such as high tenacity, chemical resistance, high-temperature resistance, high antifouling, antibacterial and antiviral, etc.

Industry experts will share their knowledge in a series of talks informing visitors about cutting-edge technology that will help businesses work more sustainably to meet the demands of upcoming legislation, from functional fibres and low-carbon yarns to innovations in recycling and supply chain transparency. There will also be examples of how AI is transforming fabric development and design and collaboration on business processes. The event will also host a fashion show, new product launches, and trend forecasts in the stage area. These seminars and microevents are excellent platforms for conveying the latest knowledge, networking, and discovering industry market intelligence.

While international brands are destocking and purchasing power has not yet returned to pre-epidemic levels, TITAS has invited over 71 brands from 15 countries to attend the show, including Columbia, Rei, Under Armour, Ralph Lauren, Vaude, Norrona, Hugo Boss, Cape Union, Mizuno, and Montbell. This year’s TITAS is expected to have international buyers from critical markets such as the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Australia, Japan, and South Korea pass through its doors, ushering in more business opportunities for exhibitors.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)