Insights The Hexoskin Medical System has received FDA 510(k) clearance, making it an approved smart shirt for continuous ECG, respiratory, and activity monitoring. Offering a comfortable, long-term Holter alternative, it enables real-world data collection for remote care and clinical trials, supporting chronic disease management, digital biomarker development, and more inclusive decentralised trial models. The Hexoskin Medical System (HMS) has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Dr

Insights The Indian textile industry, led by SIMA, has welcomed the implementation of new labour codes that rationalise 29 laws and strengthen worker protection while easing business compliance. Chairman Durai Palanisamy praised the reforms for supporting Viksit Bharat and helping Indian manufacturers meet global accountability standards, especially ahead of FTAs with the EU and US. The Indian textile industry has welcomed the country’s labour law reforms. The Southern India Mills&rsquo

Insights Rieter plans a new Group structure from January 1, 2026, ahead of its planned acquisition of OC Oerlikon's Barmag Division. Machines & Systems and After Sales will merge into a new Short-Staple Fiber Division led by Alexander Ozbahadir, while Roger Albrecht will lead Components and Technology. After closing, the Man-Made Fiber Division joins under Georg Stausberg. The planned acquisition of the “Barmag” Division of OC Oerlikon will create the leading system provider w

Insights Mexico has announced a $6.5-billion initiative to modernise the domestic textile and footwear industries. The plan seeks to improve productivity, formalise employment and integrate traditional sectors into modern supply chains. Through a pact with Spanish multinational financial services firm BBVA and state-owned Nacional Financiera, the plan will boost the competitiveness of SMEs in the sectors. Mexico has announced an initiative worth 120 billion pesos (~$6.5 billion) to modernise

Insights UK manufacturing output saw its steepest fall since August 2020 in the three months to November, with a -30 per cent balance and declines across most sub-sectors, as per the CBI. Order books stayed weak, export orders remained well below average, and selling price expectations eased. Ben Jones warned that Budget uncertainty is delaying demand and urged targeted support to boost competitiveness. UK’s manufacturing sector recorded its sharpest decline in output volumes since Augu

Insights US Upland cotton export sales surged to 199,000 running bales for the week ending October 2, more than doubling the previous figure and exceeding the four-week average. Vietnam, Turkiye, India, Bangladesh and China led purchases, while shipments stayed firm at 137,000 bales. Pima sales dipped 4 per cent to 8,200 bales, with exports weakening to 4,800 bales, though demand remained above trend. US cotton export sales for the week ending October 2 recorded a sharp rebound in Upland cott

Insights ICE cotton futures remained largely stable, supported by a strong US weekly export sales report released after a shutdown-related delay. March 2026 futures closed slightly lower at 63.74 cents, while December 2025 guided the curve with reduced trading volumes. Net sales of 207,200 bales confirmed healthy demand. Analysts expect prices to hold and possibly move toward 67 cents. ICE cotton futures eased slightly but the movement was largely viewed as stable, supported by the USDA&rsquo

Insights Producer prices of German industrial products were 1.8 per cent lower YoY and 0.1 per cent higher month on month (MoM) in October this year, official statistical show. This was the eighth consecutive YoY decrease in producer prices. Lower energy prices continued to be the main reason for the YoY decline in producer prices. October energy prices were down by 7.5 per cent YoY and up by 0.4 per cent MoM. Producer prices of industrial products in Germany were 1.8 per cent lower year on y

Insights After the removal of QCOs on the MMF value chain, NITMA has urged the Indian government to correct the inverted duty structure on PSF and PSY under the revised AITIGA. PSF attracts 5.5 per cent duty, while PSY enters duty-free, making domestic mills uncompetitive. Imports have risen sharply, and NITMA says parity would revive capacity, boost jobs and support India's textile growth targets. Following the withdrawal of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) across the manmade fibre (MMF) value

Insights Bangladesh recently issued a gazette notification announcing a new ordinance amending the Labour Act, allowing trade unions to be formed with the consent of at least 20 workers. The law required the consent of 20 per cent of the total workforce to form a trade union earlier. While the Bangladesh Labour Foundation hailed the move, apparel and textile industry leaders rejected the ordinance. Bangladesh recently issued a gazette notification announcing a new ordinance amending the Labou