TITAS 2010 in Taipei Sees Higher Turnout and Promising Opportunities

Supported by the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and organized by the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), the Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS 2010) wound up on October 15 with very satisfactory turnout of visitors and promise of follow-up business.

TTF statistics show that the three-day event drew 22,479 buyers from around the world, for a 10.8% year-on-year growth; while the show organizer believes the business potential to be generated could top US$39 million, up 8.3% from a year earlier.

Buoyed by the recently signed cross-Taiwan Strait economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA), the show, with 556 exhibition stands, attracted 100-odd buyers from 66 world-class fashion brands and designers from 21 nations to take part in 653 in-person trade meetings with exhibitors. The TTF says, judging from the brisk trade meetings, the business to be created would exceed earlier expectations.

ECFA Effect
The fact that an unprecedented over 100 booths were occupied by foreign exhibitors this year likely was not mere coincidence, for TITAS 2010 was staged not long after the ECFA had been signed. The ECFA effect attracted 68 international brands to exhibit at the show, 60% or 43 brands of which came from Germany, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Austria, Holland, and the U.S. Some 25 brands came from the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, South Korea and China. Textile suppliers and operators in Taiwan and China also saw synergies to be tapped, considering the ECFA to gradually lower trade duties between the two sides. Some 25 manufacturers from China were exhibitors this year, including the first-timer Shandong Ruyi Group and CHINATEX Group from Beijing.

Innovative textiles were a highlight at the TITAS 2010. While functional textiles for apparels continued to capture attention, high performance textiles for industrial use also helped exhibitors earn credibility and reputation among the global buyers. One of the notable trends in recent years has been to use eco-friendly textiles, such as low-carbon recycled nylon and polyester in the apparel and various industrial applications. With the recycled PET textiles having helped build exposure for the product at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa this year, global buyers at the TITAS 2010 also looked for the textile to further cash in on the established reputation.

Trade Meetings
Building on the reputation struck in earlier shows, the organizer continued to set up in-person meetings, which are seen as one of the most practical activities by the exhibitors and international brands. Some 653 qualified trade meetings were organized for exhibitors and buyers, compared to last year's 440, showing the rising popularity of such direct negotiations.

Fueling the popularity of Taiwan-made textiles worldwide, the ECFA is expected to sharpen the competitiveness of Taiwan-made ready-to-wear, hosiery and towels because such products will eventually enjoy duty-free export to China. The Taiwan Towel Industry Association wasted no time to tap the ECFA advantage, sending four of its members—Cho Chia Ting Co., Taiwan Daily Textile Co., Champion Towel Co. and Char Wie Enterprise Co.—to meet buyers in procurement meetings.

Cho Chia Ting or Top Towel has over two decades experience in the towel making industry. Taiwan Daily Textile is an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) making a wide range of designer and branded towels. Champion Towel Co., founded in 1973, makes a full range of full-cotton towels, and is known as an integrated maker handling design to packaging. Char Wie has 40 years of experience in towel making, but most importantly offers customized services, as well as having introduced new products as coral carpet, wedding gifts, lace coasters etc.

Amazing Eco-friendly Textiles
Overseas buyers were also impressed by the innovative spirit of Taiwanese suppliers, especially those exhibiting eco-friendly products. And there was no shortage of green products at the TITAS 2010. Nan Ya Plastics Corp. displayed the biodegradable polyester, APEXA and recycled PET-bottle-made fiber ECOGREEN. Formosa Taffeta Corp. showed recycled polyester textiles as dyeable polyester and eco-friendly cloth. The Lea Lea Group promoted Libolon, the green, fire-retardant curtain, tablecloths and sofa upholstery. The New Wide Group displayed green technology and textiles.

The Far Eastern Group promoted its recycled PET-bottle-made yarn TOPGREEN, which was worn by players in the FIFA World Cup this year.

Besides offering global buyers a variety of green textiles, these suppliers also sent the message to the international textile sector that Taiwan-based textile makers are totally committed to the eco-movement.

Promoting Bamboo Fiber
Exhibiting at the TITAS the first time, the TANBOOCEL Industry Union, founded in Hangzhou, Jiangsu province, China in 2005, has 42 member firms, including Jigao Chemical Fiber Co., and aims to promote the development of the TANBOOCEL or bamboo fiber through information sharing, resources integration and R&D cooperation, as well as develop new functional textiles. Bamboo fiber is widely used and reportedly the fifth natural fiber following cotton, linen, silk and wool.

Bamboo charcoal fiber is made of bamboo five years or older, featuring high moisture-absorption and antistatic function, and is increasingly being used to make underwear, children's wear, home textiles, active and sport wear, air filters etc.

Besides introducing the latest bamboo fiber products, the Union also looked for production and business partners in Taiwan to develop innovative bamboo fibers and explore new applications for the end-product market.

Signing MOU With EURATEX
To boost cooperation with advanced textile manufacturing nations, TTF chairman William Wong and EURATEX chairman Dr. Peter Pfneisl signed on Oct. 13 a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the European Textile and Clothing Confederation (EURATEX), which is expected to help Taiwanese and European clothing manufacturers to sharpen competitiveness in China and globally. Headquartered in Brussels, the EURATEX is the sole organization representing the EU's textile and apparel sector.

The European Union is currently the world's largest consumption market for textiles and apparel with annual consumption valued at 500 billion euro, with its textiles and apparel industries hiring over two million employees in 128,000 firms, with an annual output exceeding 200 billion euro.

The MOU calls for strengthening mutual cooperation in trade and investment, establishing effective communicating channels and early-warning systems in the fields of trade regulations, trade facilitation, and trade barriers, protecting intellectual property rights and mutual cooperation in countering illegitimate and unfair trade.

The TITAS 2011 will be held October 12-14, 2011 at the same venue.