Don’t just think Taiwan for textiles, go there – is the message from the Taiwan Textile Federation in this sponsored piece which says Taiwan remains a top sourcing destination for textiles, innovation and sustainability.

Climate change and carbon reduction have become the most fundamental yet crucial topics among international textile industry in recent years. With the joint efforts of Taiwan's textile industry as well as organisations in both the public and private sectors, Taiwan has become a shining beacon of light internationally for its success in sustainable textile innovation.

Taiwan is leading the world in earth friendly Textile innovation, sustainability, and continuous quality improvement. After more than 60 years of development, Taiwan’s textile industry has evolved from a mass production textile supplier to a textile innovator equipped with a comprehensive yet integrated value chain. Best in class polymer development led by many large vertical companies keep Taiwan ahead of the curve.

Sustainable and socially responsible

Taiwan has the world's most advantageous development of a sustainable textile supply chain. A 2-hour drive covers the factories from upstream yarn to downstream fabric. Most of the suppliers specialising in outdoor and sports brand fabrics have certifications such as bluesign, Oekotex, GRS, RWS, Higg Index and USDA etc. Using recycled coffee grinds, fishing net, oyster, fish scales and pineapple fibre, the industry has developed and continued to improve textile functions, and these fabrics are often combined with recycled polymers to further enhance its performance characteristics.

Libolon has a collection of recycled polyester products in multiple categories in woven and knits. Many even are hard to find recycled Nylon. The mandate in this direction comes from its teams dedicated textile engineers driven both internally and by their core of leading-edge customers. Companies like Patagonia, dedicating to improving our environment, make Taiwan a primary source for textiles and development initiatives.

Even Taiwan's textile industry redefines the characteristics of cotton. Hermin’s Natural Laboratory develop new generation of organic cotton for outdoor apparel. HerMin's waterproof cotton fabric is using a very tight and traditional weaving technique. When dry, the fabric opens up its pores to breathe. When wet, the overtightened cotton fibers swell, thereby sealing the weave and making it waterproof. Evertex Janerino® series is a hybrid merino wool collection engineered for versatility and climate adaptability. All wool blends contain non-mulesing merino wool and certified recycled polyester upon request, solution-dye polyester upon request.

Taiwanese Leadership in unique waterproof breathable laminated and coating expertise is unchallenged, leading the way with C-Zero technology, the “greenest” of all the ways to keep you dry and comfortable. Many companies help forge the way with constant innovation, always on the lookout for a “better way “.

A complete supply chain

A unique woven fabric company brings its expertise to fore in developing manufacturing textile and garments in Asia using Taiwan as its core base. Many Taiwan companies have networked into either direct ownership or partnerships to help ease the process in making complicated technical garments or great athleisure. Part of what makes this special is the unique relationships between the vertical mills and specialized converters with an ability to blend the best characteristics of multiple suppliers. The tradition of cooperation between mills is steeped in the history and growth of the industry. In many parts of the world “converters” are disappearing, a trend not evident in Taiwan. From crude oil, plastic bottles to chips, yarn, knits, wovens, special finishes, piece dyes, yarn dyes, solution dyed and printing, it’s readily available. Then add the various possibilities in finishing, odor and bacteria control, wicking, cooling, and warming, the combinations are endless. These “industrial clusters and integrated supply chains” are critical in the drive for constant innovation. Ad. By BOFT