Insights Most UK firms remain bruised, with no improvement to business sentiment, according to a BCC Q3 2025 survey. Confidence and investment levels remain at 2022 levels, and 21 per cent have increased investment, while 25 per cent have scaled back plans. Tax and inflation remain the key concerns for businesses. Labour costs continue to be far and away the main cost pressure for firms. Most UK firms remain bruised, with no improvement to business sentiment, according to the British Chambers

Insights The EU has granted €3.5 million (~$4.05 million) under Horizon Europe to Fabulose, a project led by Germany's DITF. Involving 11 partners, the project will develop recyclable, plastic-free, and biodegradable materials using bacterial cellulose and cyanophycin. Fabulose aims to advance Europe's circular bioeconomy and strengthen sustainable manufacturing. The European Union has approved €3.5 million (~$4.05 million) in funding for the Fabulose project under the Horizon Euro

Insights In August 2025, Dutch manufacturing output remained unchanged year-on-year, although output declined in over half of the industrial sectors. After seasonal adjustment, output rose by 1.7 per cent compared to July. The strongest growth was seen in the repair and installation of machinery, while transport equipment recorded the sharpest decline. In August 2025, the calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was at the same level as in August 2024, according to Statistic

Insights Trump has announced a 100 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports starting November 1, in retaliation to what he described as an “extraordinarily aggressive” export control policy from China. Labelling China's action a “moral disgrace”, Trump said the controls would affect virtually every product globally. US response is aimed at countering a long-planned strategy by China to reshape global trade, he said. In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, President D

Insights India's Ministry of Textiles has revised the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for textiles to revitalise the man-made fibre (MMF) and technical textiles sectors. The amendments lower entry barriers, simplify compliance, and encourage investment. Minimum investment limits have been halved, new HSN codes added, and eligibility criteria eased. India’s Ministry of Textiles has announced major amendments to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles, aimed at

Insights At ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, Karl Mayer's Warp Knitting Business Unit will present two new tricot machines. The company will showcase a 2-bar model for high-speed elastic fabrics and a 4-bar model designed for cost-sensitive fashion markets. It will also feature an inspiring textile display spanning tricot, lace, raschel, and spacer fabrics. The Karl Mayer Warp Knitting Business Unit, the company’s most significant division and a global leader in warp knitting machinery, is set

Recently, the Brazilian cotton export market has experienced a strong rebound, with multiple data indicators showing a shift from negative to positive export volumes and demonstrating continuous growth potential, drawing high attention from global cotton industry players. According to the latest statistics from Brazil's Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex), Brazil's cotton exports reached 178,800 tons in September this year, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year, with a daily avera

Insights NITI Aayog's quarterly trade watch report has called for tariff reforms and non-leather footwear production, among other recommendations, to boost India's footwear industry, which has seen a drop in market share globally. India's share of the $281.76-billion global leather and footwear exports market was 1.85 per cent in 2024, at par with its 2-per cent share in 2004. Indian government think tank NITI Aayog’s quarterly trade watch report has called for tariff reforms and non-le

Insights Germany's industrial production fell 4.3 per cent month-on-month in August 2025, with output 3.9 per cent lower year-on-year, as per Destatis. The sharpest decline came from the automotive sector, down 18.5 per cent due to plant closures and model changeovers. Machinery, consumer, and capital goods also weakened, while only energy-intensive industries saw a modest 0.2 per cent rise. Germany’s industrial production fell by 4.3 per cent in real terms in August 2025 compared to Ju

Insights Kenya's Rivatex East Africa SEZ Limited has entered a restructuring phase as the government leased its operations to a private strategic partner to revive the struggling textile mill. The move, backed by President William Ruto, aims to inject capital, expertise, and innovation to restore competitiveness. Rivatex issued redundancy notices while assuring lawful compensation to employees. Kenya’s state-owned textile manufacturer Rivatex East Africa SEZ Limited has entered a new ph