“Think Taiwan for Textiles”
On the Road to Innovation, Fashion and
Sustainability
Overall Background on Taiwan Textile Industry
Taiwan textile industry started out by processing products
after importing raw materials from abroad in its early stage. Later,
Taiwan evolved to become a supplier of textile materials derived
from petrochemical processes while importing natural cotton and
synthetic yarns.
In the development process, Taiwan has now
become fully integrated and consolidated resources into complete
production networks that include production of synthetic fibers and
yarns, fabric, dyeing and finishing, as well as apparels and
accessories.
Starting in the 1950’s Taiwan textile industry has evolved
and grown rapidly over the post five decades: in line with the
growing demands by international markets, consistent product
development, facility modernization, and market development
turned the textile industry into structurally the most comprehensive
industry sector in Taiwan.
Taiwan textile products have now
become one of the most important sources of textiles consumption
market.
Facing the current market structure of oversupplies and the
negative impact of high prices in petroleum, Taiwan’s textile
industry now attempts to differentiate itself by developing more
high-value materials. In recent years, the quality, added-values,
and the image of Taiwan textiles has received high recognition,
successfully
distinguishing
themselves
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from
the
products
manufactured in competition countries.
The industry has
maintained a cautious attitude, being committed to develop
functional and eco-friendly textiles and upgrade product quality.
By now, Taiwan’s textile products have established a high-quality
reputation in the global market.
Moving towards Fashion+Function and Sustainable Textiles
Taiwan’s functional textiles not only emphasize on fashion
trends, but also stress on ergonomic cuts and functional features to
ensure comfort, safety and health.
In the aspect of sustainable textiles, manufacturers seek
production
processes
with
lower
pollution,
lower
energy
consumption and recycled materials to lower the impact on the
environment.
Technically,
Taiwanese
manufacturers
have
devoted heavy R&D efforts on improving production processes,
enhancing equipment automation and maximizing production
efficiency.
Now, dozens of textile plants are also actively
developing eco-friendly textiles.
So far, they have already
achieved significant results.
“The core competencies of Taiwan's textile industry lie in
its R&D, technology and innovation.” says Justin Huang, secretary
general of the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF). These features
have supported the industry to survive difficult times and
challenges and to remain one of the leading textiles players in the
world.
“For Taiwan’s textile companies, trash can really mean cash
while our planet becomes cleaner. With some creativity plus
technology, used PET bottles can be turned into blankets and
coffee grounds become sportswear. Now the industry is incessantly
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seeking
to
develop
green
textiles
incorporating
functionalinnovations with sustainable aesthetics in order to
ameliorate ourdaily life.” says Justin Huang.
In order to verify the functions affixed on textiles, TTF set
up a certification system, namely Taiwan Functional Textiles
Certification System which is now in its thirteenth year, and
provides quality assurance for functional textiles. The scheme
includes certification for the following: antibacterial textiles for
medical use, moisture transferring and quick drying textiles, water
vapor permeable and liquid-water impermeable textiles, ultraviolet
protective textiles brand, far infrared textiles, water repellent
textiles, flame resistant textiles, deodorization textiles and cold
feeling textiles.
With increasing demand for sports and leisurewear textiles,
product testing and certification standards will become the
necessary requirements for providing high quality functional
textiles. Taiwan’s textile industry has key technologies to develop
products that stand out in international sportswear markets. And
the industry is now actively promoting and working to achieving
more of these standards.
As more and more consumers seek to present themselves by
individuality and sensitivity to fashion, the need for fashionable
and functional textile products is also on the rise.
Sports brands
now utilize all their strategies to capture this mentality and demand,
and Taiwan is the ideal partner to achieve these results.
Wide Application of Taiwan’s Textile Products on Sports Gear
Taiwan’s textile products can be widely applied in
sportswear such as apparels, shoes, and other gears used in sports
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competitions. Sports apparels include aerobic outfits, athlete outfits,
and outfits for soccer, cricket, tennis, yoga, bike and other sports.
These apparels include shorts, gloves, jackets, pants, socks,
sweatshirts, and swimming suits. Sports gears include sails,
trampolines, camping gears, backpacks, cycling gears, racquets
and more.
Sport-related shoes include shoes for light sports,
soccer, gymnastics, tennis, and travel shoes.
A report by Global Industry Analysts predicted that, by
2015, the overall global market for sportswear and fitness wears
will reach approximately 126.3 billion US Dollars. As the
population for sports and leisure activity increases, consumers
have higher demands for sports-related textiles.
Increasingly,
consumers demand for apparel products with more functions such
as thermal retention, aesthetically appealing designs, waterproof
protection, eco-friendliness, lightness, and positive effects on
health. Clearly, leisurewear and sportswear have now become an
important sector in global apparel market.
As leading brands
presented high-quality, highly functional and fashionable textiles
to appeal to the consumers, suppliers aggressively respond by
creating added value features and actively present these features to
the buyers to expand the market potentials.
More and more,
manufacturers in Taiwan seek multi-functional textiles with higher
technical thresholds to maintain a leading edge in the arena of
functional textiles.
Taiwan Functional Textiles Appeal to Sports and Leisurewear
Brands
FIFA 2010, the competition that ignited the world’s passion
for soccer, gathered teams from Brazil, The Netherlands, Portugal,
United States, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, and
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Slovakia for the exciting events. The players wore uniforms
manufactured in Taiwan, outfits that were made with high-tech
polyester fabrics made from recycled PET bottles. These uniforms
were not only 13% lighter, but were also excellent in ventilation
and perspiration-absorption.
The achievements were possible because of the long
collaborative relationships between Taiwan’s textile industry and
international leading brands in sports and leisurewear. These
achievements further proved the high recognition Taiwan’s
functional fabrics received from the global leading brands.
As
the leading source of functional fabrics, Taiwan textile industry is
always on close lookout for the latest development in the market,
and hopes to continue playing a key role in supplying high-tech
fabrics in the future.
TITAS Exhibition Cemented Taiwan as a Leading Destination
for Functional and Ecological Innovation
The Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (or TITAS
as it’s more commonly known) made its debut in 1997 with a remit
of highlighting functional, eco-friendly and fashion textiles and is
going toenter its17th year.
TITAS 2012 attracted an 18% increase in exhibitors from
the previous edition of the show. There were333 exhibitors from 11
countries and regions travelled to the Taipei World Trade Center
Nangang Exhibition Hall, attracting over 27,000 visitors.
In order to maximize the benefitsfrom the show, organizer
Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) invited 80 internationalleading
brands from 20 countries for the event's one-to-onebusiness
meeting arrangement, which led to 151representatives attending
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the exhibition. Among the many first-time buyers invited by TTF
was
sports
gear
brand
K-Swiss;
high-performancecycling
apparelbrand Castelli from the US; outdoor brand Norrona from
Norway; mountaineering productbrand Salewa from Italy; and
sportswearbrand Anta.
Some of the Highlights from the Show
Formosa Plastics Group showcased a variety offabrics
made by Formosa Taffeta using rayon, polyamide, polypropylene,
polyester, acrylic, carbon and elastic, supplied by affiliate
companies within the group.
Far Eastern New Century (FENC) is one of the largest
polyester producers in the world, with a capacity of 2 million tons
per year.Topgreenfibre is a recycled PET fibre used by Nike, while
TopCool is a mediumtenacitypolyester staple fibre that features a
unique cross section to draw moisture away from the skin and
transfer it to the outer layer.At TITAS, the main focus was a new
breathable and waterproof TPEE film called FETretch, which is
recyclable, stretchable and can be used for knitted fabrics.
Hi-tech eco-friendly textiles from Everest are popular
among many international sportswear, outdoor and fashion brands.
The company promoted its EverSmileapparelbrandat the show,
which is positioned as "the innovative sustainable clothing expert
for the whole family”.
Fabric King develops hi-tech textiles and its latest progress
has been in the area of photoelectric fabrics.
The company's
green textile series D'dye adopts a solution dyed product process to
reduce negative environmental impact.One of its core products is
the ultra-lightweight 7 denier fabric which is
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said to have almost
the same tensile and tearstrength as a 15 denier fabric.
G-Tex is said being the largest producer for breathable and
waterproof fabrics in the world.Its customersinclude The North
Face, Columbia, Jack Wolfskin, Nike and Adidas.The company
launched the G-Fun clothing brand last year to meet the demand
for high-end performance clothing buyers.
Formosa Taffeta (FTC) produces yarns, apparel textiles,
tyre cords and high-density PE bags and has facility in Taiwan,
Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and the USA.Some of the company’s
well-known brands includeAbletex,Snuggtex,FoneWr Nano and
Permadry.
In addition, 13 seminars were scheduled to provide the
latest industry outlook at TITAS 2012. Topics included color
forecasts for 2013/14, 2013 autumn/winter fabric trends, new
developments in consumer protection regulations for textile
products, marketing strategies for functional textiles in Europe,
applications of
Merino woolin sportswear/outdoor wear,internet
marketing and mobile commerce technologies, developments in
sustainable textile certification, and presentations on Taiwan's
innovative textiles includingTopCool+, TopHeat+ and FETretch.
Think Taiwan for Textiles
Besides promoting Taiwan textile products in TITAS,
another dynamic tool for displayingTaiwan functional and
sustainable textiles istheTextile Export Promotion Project
(TEPP).
TEPP is uniquely designed to promote the Taiwan
textile industry by attending international shows, organizing trade
missions and match-making meetings between brands and Taiwan
producers, and bringing the advantages of Taiwan textiles to the
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forefront.
This year the Project has selected 12 companies as the elite
either in spheres of technology, fashion, or function through a
prudent scheme.
These companies are extensive in both product
range and market end uses. This brief outline barely scratches the
surface:
Taiwan Taffeta Fabricsproduces a broad array of products
with a special collection of nylon/spandex stretch fabrics,
performance
fabrics,
and
jacquard
fabrics.Itis
specially
equippedwith a highly advanced "computer aided design system".
By which system, it may print out any pattern simulation in less
than 40 minutes.
With high technique and efficient management, Delicacy is
proficient in providing assorted fabrics in small quantity to meet
the fashion and market demand.
Its products cover fashion and
functional fabrics, house furnishings, and environment friendly
materials.
Singtexis well known for its functional and unique products.
Their S Café ®, coffee based wicking and anti-bacterial products
are special in their performance and environmental path to get
there utilizing used coffee grinds.
Labtexis a well-established professional fabric supplier. Its
major lines cover both the outdoor and fashion markets and sells
tohigh level brands in multiple markets. With 30 year experience
and knowledge, they are capable to develop best products in a high
efficient package for customers.
In a totally different market Sheico produces the fabric and
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garments that dive to the ocean floor or surf the seas largest waves.
Functional water sport garments and products are their niche. They
have recently developed an innovative collection of performance
running and yoga products.
Taiwan Paihohas the complete collection of accessories in
hook and loop, reflective, laces, webbing and related products. If it
closes or ties without a zipper, Taiwan Paiho gets it done with a
flair for fashion and performance.
Eclatboasts an integrated production chain that includes
knitting, dyeing, finishing and apparel.Eclat also promoted its
Hyper UV protection, a bi-component polyestercomplex fiber
which features titanium dioxide to improve fiber permeability
resistance, and offers a high UPFvalue and heat insulating
properties.
Zig Shengis one of the world's leading polyamide polymer
suppliers. Its products include nylon6, polymers, filament yarn,
nylon/PET and DTY.
With vertical integration production it is
capable to develop high value-added products, diverse products,
differentiated products. Meanwhile, it also puts emphasis on
reducing environmental burden by decrease use of organic
chemicals.
Chia Heris a vertically integrated plant which are in control of
their own goods. They provided high qualities materials from yarn
to finishing goods. They will be launching a whole new range of
environmental friendly functional wool textiles (Outlast ® / Wool,
PP / Wool,Cordura ® / Wool) combined with technology for next
season.
industry.
This is bound to create a wave in the outdoor textiles
Moreover, Chia Her participated in the 2013 innovative
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ISPO Textrends Forum’s contest, and five Chia Her’s fabrics were
selected on the Second Layer TOP 10. This excellent performance
has made Chia Her the winner of the contest.
Acelonspecializes in producing nylon 6 yarn, polyester yarn,
nylon/polyester conjugate yarn, functional yarn, cool yarn,
polyester and antistatic yarn. Its products can be applied in
swimwear, underwear, apparel, sportswear, work wears and
medical textile.
Tai Yuen is an all in one, service led company. It operated from
the upstream to the downstream vertically, with a series of
products including yarn, fabric, functional/technical fabrics, and
garments.
Its Typhoon series fabric allow complete protection
against extreme temperatures and wind.
Another functional
fabric AKWATEK with quick dry characteristic can be used in
making T-shirt, jacket, under wear, and cycling.
As a leading supplier of high-tech textiles,Paltex’s main
products are textiles for high-functional, outdoor and extreme
sports purposes. Its assorted products meet customer requirements
in every condition, such as water-repellent and ventilated jackets
for polar regions, light weight and portable fabrics, fast-drying
sport wear, windproof jackets, jackets for fierce sea activities,
durable work wear and yoga clothes.
Its supply chain is run with
integrity by using eco-friendly products and shows its relentless
efforts towards environmentalprotection.
The Future of Taiwan’s Textile Products – the Best Partner for
International Buyers
In order to shake off the competition from other low cost
countries, Taiwan textile industry is trying to develop all kinds of
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high value-added materials to attain the purpose of differentiation.
In recent years, Taiwan’s government has devoted budget in
R&D for encouraging the development of functional fabrics for a
better market niche.
Concentrating on synthetic fibers as the
basic elements, with the experience and capacity in developing
fashionable fabrics, Taiwan textiles that combine “fashion”,
“innovation”
and
“sustainability”
issurely
advantage to appeal to international buyers.
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the
comparative
TEPP at MAGICShow 2012 in Las Vegas, USA
T
I
TAS 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan
TEPP at ispo2013 in Munich, Germany
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