On April 1, 2026, data released by S&P Global showed that the Eurozone manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) final reading rose to 51.6 in March, up from 50.8 in February and above the preliminary reading of 51.4, marking a 45-month high since June 2022. Looking at sub-indicators, manufacturing output expanded for the third consecutive month, with the output index rising to 52.0 — a seven-month high. The new orders index held steady at a 46-month high, though growth remained m

In the past week (March 27 to April 2), the ICE cotton futures main contract showed a high-range volatile trend. As of the close on April 2, the May contract settled at 70.92 cents per pound, up slightly from the previous week. Prices during the week were influenced by multiple alternating factors. On March 31, following the USDA Prospective Plantings report indicating a 4% increase in U.S. cotton planted area to 9.64 million acres, futures prices initially came under pressure before finding sup

After three years of work, the EU-funded RegioGreenTex project officially came to a close in December 2025, achieving substantial progress in advancing the circular textile economy across Europe. The 25 SME-driven pilot projects have successfully moved from the laboratory stage to near-market readiness, with commercialisation expected within the next one to three years. Launched in January 2023, RegioGreenTex was one of the first projects under the European Commission's Regional Investment for I

With the deepening development of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) recently convened a technical committee meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, where experts from 16 countries discussed the development of unified standards for textiles, clothing, and accessories, aiming to break the long-standing market fragmentation that has plagued Africa's textile industry. Currently, only about 25% of the required product standards for the African co

In response to global trade volatility and weakening exports, the Indian government announced a one-year preferential tariff policy for goods manufactured in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and sold in the domestic market, effective April 1, 2026. Tariff rates will range from 5% to 12.5%, aiming to ease cost pressures on manufacturers and enhance competitiveness. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance on March 31, the measure will remain in effect until March 31, 2027, and i

Entering April 2026, the main theme of the global raw materials market has rapidly shifted from price volatility earlier in the year to deep-seated supply instability. Amid continued geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the energy and petrochemical supply chains are facing severe tests. Synthetic fibers and chemical products have been hardest hit by the current shocks.The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that the oil supply gap would widen sharply starting in April, with key

Driven by robust consumer demand and stable procurement strategies, Germany's apparel imports rebounded significantly in 2025. According to the latest statistics from industry data analyst TexPro, Germany's total apparel imports reached$46.8 billionin 2025, not only reversing the decline seen in 2023 but also surpassing the previous peak level recorded in 2021. Data shows that German apparel imports regained growth momentum after a period of cyclical fluctuations. Imports reached a阶段性 high of

Driven by strong export demand, the cotton yarn market in South India has maintained a firm trend. Prices in the Tiruppur region continued to rise, while the Mumbai market held steady due to sluggish domestic buying interest. Market data shows that cotton yarn prices for knitting in Tiruppur continued to strengthen, with increases seen across various counts. A local market trader told industry media that spinning mills are facing strong demand from downstream industries, noting thatexport mark

The ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate and spread across the region. From the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea shipping route being imperiled following the official intervention of the Houthi forces, the global energy and trading system is facing an unprecedented "double strangulation." This crisis, originating from military confrontation, is no longer confined to the energy supply side. Its impact is rapidly transmitting along the petrochemical

Asia's textile and apparel industry is confronting an unprecedented inventory crisis. Industry data shows that unsold stock is estimated at$180 billion, with mills across the region operating significantly below capacity. The inventory overhang has extended from yarn and fabric to finished goods. In Bangladesh and other South Asian markets, weak global demand coupled with sustained production has created a structural imbalance. Mills in countries like India and Pakistan are operating at only60