The increased consciousness for the environment began some 20 years ago. Since then, many organizations and nongovernmental organizations have started campaigning for a healthier environment. In this context, the textile industry and mainly the producing sectors of the business were and are challenged to produce their articles in a more sustainable way. Even the Chinese government pays attention to this and has implemented rules in the last two five-year plans for a more sustainable finishing. "From cradle to cradle," "life cycle analysis" and "carbon footprint" are just a few key terms in this — one can say — marketing fight for understanding, acceptance and finally success of the products. To heighten the confusion, many organizations claim to have the key to success, but nobody knows which rules are the right ones.

During November 201, Cotlook’s forecasts of both production and consumption during the 2011/12 season have been reduced significantly.

Demand for elastane fibers -- known as spandex in the USA and parts of Asia -- is set to grow considerably according to a new report, “Stretch fibers and fabrics: reaching new levels of comfort”, from the business information company Textiles Intelligence.

China's major cotton production base in the far western region is expected to have a good harvest this year, but the lack of processing facilities and smooth transportation is increasing inventory pressures, industry insiders say.

Yarn prices are falling across the board on the international market, as reflected by our series of statistical tables detailing effective deals which were done with final processors over the past months and years. A lack of demand and a decline in textile fiber prices may further depress yarn prices in the very short term.

Polyester fiber and filament prices continued sliding in the last seven days in China, in line with emerging difficulties for the domestic textile industry and lower cotton and viscose fiber prices. Raw material costs of polyester fiber producers are also falling, in addition.

Cotton Outlook’s consumption forecast for the 2011/12 season (August/July) has undergone a further downward adjustment, principally as a result of a decrease in projected mill use of raw cotton in China, where a modest net decline in consumption is now foreseen, relative to 2010/11.

Heavy monsoon rains and devastating floods across the cotton producing areas of Pakistan have damaged more than 1m local-sized cotton bales of 170kg each, worth around PKR34bn (US$387mn).

Cotton prices are expected to decline over the next year as production increases help to replenish stocks, according to inter-governmental group the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

Cotton prices dramatically fell in the last weeks in China, India and Pakistan. Spinners did not similarly react to the drop in prices. Profit margins have been more preserved in Pakistan than in China and India, as reflected by our series of historical data, back four years ago.