Archives

Renewed strength in domestic manufacturing

November 1st, 2023

Advanced economies are now serious about boosting their manufacturing. In the U.S., textile market opportunities include high-end segments such as medical, aerospace, defense and infrastructure. Image: Dreamstime Since the pandemic, the world economy has been full of anomalies. With a strong labor market, one normally expects higher demand in daily nonessentials such as clothing, home […]

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China trade tariff exclusions expiring

May 30th, 2023

Exclusions from the Section 301 tariffs on imports from China for the following medical care products needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic will expire June 1. - HTSUS 3923.21.0095 (other plastic sacks and bags for the conveyance or packing of goods) - HTSUS 5603.14.9090 (other nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated) - […]

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Silicone synthetic leather for cars

October 1st, 2022

A cutaway view of Sage-ONF’s silicone synthetic leather product. Photos: Sage-ONF Sage-ONF, a synthetic leather supplier based in Shanghai, China, has begun manufacturing silicone synthetic leather, a petroleum-free, non-carbon-based product solution for today’s automobile interiors.  Automotive interiors must be tough enough to tackle mile after mile with a super resilient resistance to extreme temperatures. Tested […]

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Textile and apparel groups send letter to VP Harris

June 6th, 2022

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished sewn products, and the Central America – Dominican Republic Apparel and Textile Council (CECATEC), the main apparel and textile group in the region, sent a joint letter to Vice President Kamala Harris on May 31, outlining critical […]

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textile factory worker

USTR 301 tariffs review statement by NCTO president & CEO Kim Glas

May 5th, 2022

Photo: Diamond Brand Gear National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas, representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished sewn products, issued a statement on the U.S. Trade Representative’s statutory four-year review of the China 301 tariffs. Statement from NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas: “We have long […]

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New Year, new reasons to know your supply chain

March 1st, 2022

On December 23, 2021, President Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) which will significantly raise the stakes for any company importing from or doing business with China. Most significantly, once the statute fully comes into effect in 2022, importers of a wide range of products into the United States—including many […]

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Tips for working with Chinese suppliers and customers

June 1st, 2020

In pandemic times and beyond, doing business with the world’s most populous country presents challenges for Westerners. Here are 15 practical tips. By James Chan, Ph.D. Gift-giving is a valuable practice when working with Chinese business partners. When the author couldn’t find face masks in his local store in the U.S. at the beginning of […]

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Report on cotton imports in China

June 3rd, 2019

“Research Report on Cotton Import in China, 2019–2023” details the factors in cotton production in China. The growth rate of China’s cotton spinning industry is slowing as labor costs, land and rent prices rise. Cotton production capacity is being transferred to Xinjiang from other parts of China. In 2018, the cotton planting area in China […]

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Chinese nonwovens market bullish

August 31st, 2017

Multiple nonwovens product sectors in China continue to exhibit strong growth and potential for the foreseeable future, according to reports from the biennial China International Nonwovens Expo & Forum held in Shanghai in June. While multiple sectors within China’s nonwovens market are experiencing strong growth, three in particular stand out: hygiene, medical and filtration. Government […]

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China’s five-year plan spurs growth

August 1st, 2017

China’s 13th five-year plan is boosting production and demand for nonwoven products. A focus on industry upgrades has improved capacity, with output estimated to reach seven million tons in 2020, up from 5.35 million in 2016. Product demand comes from a number of sectors including construction and infrastructure, environmental protection, health care and elderly care, […]

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