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IN THE MARKET | SOURCING

Colombiatex 2014

16 • Textile Insight ~ March/April 2014 textileinsight.com

Textiles, Trade and Technology from this Key Latin American Sourcing Platform. By Eben Nicastro

Closing with an estimated US $266.9 million in generated business, the 2014 edition of

Colombiatex trade fair, held in Medellin, Colombia, further defined the nation’s position as Latin America’s textile and sourcing hub. According to show organizer Inexmoda, this total, of which 59 percent is deemed international business, is 75 percent more than last year.

For 2014, the show hosted over 26,000 visitors over three days, with nearly 500 exhibitors from 41 countries, including Colombia, USA, Brazil, Turkey, Italy and Pakistan. With increasing emphasis on the denim, swimwear and performance sectors, Colombiatex brought together all elements of the fashion system, including raw material producers, textile mills, trim suppliers, machinery manufacturers, designers and

apparel makers. Underscoring the show’s increasing role as a Latin American sourcing platform, fairground buzz centered on Colombia’s recent free-trade initiatives.

Pacific AllianceWhile January’s edition

concentrated on growing business within Latin America, it also offered a longer-range view for new investment from beyond the region. Member nations of the powerful Pacific Alliance—currently Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Chile—have agreed to slash intra-block tariffs on 92 percent of all goods, creating a free-trade supply chain for fiber, yarn, textile and garment production. This market consolidation readies the region to become a key entry point for non-Latin partnership and trade, particularly with that of Asia. Over 85 percent of total buyers came

from Pacific Alliance countries.

Domestic MarketColombia’s domestic apparel

market continues to heat up, especially within the streetwear, swimwear and youth culture sectors. A participant at the show for the past 26 years, Invista Colombia understands the local consumer, providing material solutions to lifestyle and sportswear brands. At Colombiatex, Invista’s Lycra brand debuted its new development for chlorine-resistant swim materials.

For denim, major domestic producers Coltejer and Fabricato showed collections in keeping with global trends for natural fiber textures, stretch qualities, faded or bleached surfaces, allover prints and colored dyes. Lightweight cottony knits ranged from jacquard to jersey, and included slub, nep and space-dyed yarn effects.

Textile & Supplies Forum: (above) Denim remains core to the Colombian textile and apparel market; exhibitors mix global trends for stretch and faded looks with regional directions for bright colors and irregular dyeing.

textileinsight.com

Addressing the local market’s quick-sell needs and year-round requirement for tropical weights and hands, the show’s textile and supplies forum presented Spring/Summer 2014 collections.

High points from this year’s Colombiatex included the interactive Denim Review pavilion, Jeanologia’s pop-up design studio and the booths of domestic firms Enka, Textilia and Lafayette.

JeanologiaAlso providing show-floor

demonstrations, Jeanologia displayed its ozone and laser technologies, developed exclusively for apparel design. Renowned as a pioneer in sustainable garment finishing, the Spanish firm retains a strong foothold in Colombia; Jeanologia technologies account for over 90 percent of the nation’s laser and eco finishing.

Debuting at Colombiatex, Jeanologia’s eMark denim-finishing software optimizes surface-effect productivity while minimizing errors by virtually interpreting design prior to laser marking. The smart system also features a perpetually updated design database and remote “anytime anywhere” access to laser machines.

Denim ReviewHighlighting Colombia’s robust

jeanswear business, the Denim Review pavilion promoted leading domestic and international mills, manufacturers, washhouses and finishers. The Denim Lovers area offered step-by-step insight on the denim-finishing pipeline, allowing attendees who purchased a pair

of Denim Lovers jeans to oversee and direct final customization. Jeanswear craftsmen from participating Colombian companies showcased their hand-abrasion, whiskering, laser laundering, screen-printing, hardware and embroidery expertise.

EnkaSynthetic fiber producer Enka’s

new Kaylon nylon brand focuses on microfiber and air-textured filaments. Complementing the company’s EKO line of recycled PET resins and fibers, and its Corlen polyester filament and microfiber range, this new launch helps position the company as a leading supplier to all areas of the apparel textile supply chain, particularly functional sports materials.

TextiliaFamily-run fabric producer

Textilia is known for incorporating better fibers from Lycra and Lenzing, as well as active performance treatments. In addition to weaving, dyeing, printing and coating, the vertical enterprise has the largest spinning operation in Colombia. At Colombiatex, Textilia focused on elevating quality and comfort for its service, safety and workwear clients, offering softer and lighter ranges. Technical fabric features include fire-retardancy, waterproofing, high-visibility, anti-mosquito, anti-bacterial and moisture-management.

LafayetteAlso vertically integrated,

Lafayette specializes in value-added synthetic materials, and is known for developing the first South American fabric approved by Patagonia. At Colombiatex, the firm concentrated on its Laftech range of performance advancements. Meeting the needs of customers that range from Cintas and Disney to Vineyard Vines, capabilities include UV protection, mechanical and fiber stretch, chlorine and salt-water resistance, wicking, and water repellency.

Wicks Away

Moisture

Air Flow for aCool Foot

Lightweight and

Washable

Odor and Fungus

Inhibiting

Long-Lasting Cushioning

www.ortholite.com

OrthoLite open-cell foam insoles and linings feature an advanced, proprietary chemistry that delivers a combination of performance and comfort benefits unmatched by any other insole manufacturer.

It’s why the world’s leading brands trust OrthoLite to improve the quality of their footwear and deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Fabricato: Vibrant denim prints, dyes and washes appeal to both domestic and international youth-culture markets.