Opinion leaders of the textile and apparel industry discussed the future of the industry at TEXSUM 2022 Summit. The summit, which was held for the third time this year with the title of ‘Türkiye’s Future in Textiles’, was held on March 23-24 with the cooperation of Uludağ Textile Exporters’ Association (UTİB), Uludağ Apparel and Clothing Exporters’ Association (UHKİB) and Uludağ University Textile Engineering Department and Community. The opening speech of the summit, which attracted great interest from heads of the Exporters’ Union of the sector, sector representatives, academics and students, was made by BUÜ Rector Prof. Dr A. Saim Kılavuz. The ‘Entrepreneurship’ panel was held with the participation of 2021 Techxtile Start-Up Challenge winner, RM Tekstil Founder Reyhan Miray Reyhan, and the runner-up MYTHA.AI Founder Özgecan Üstünügül and Orijinom Founder Oğuzhan Uslu in the last panel of the summit.
R&D, design and innovation stood out in TEXSUM 2022
UTİB President Pınar Taşdelen Engin described the textile industry as the artery of the economy and said; “We have realized a foreign trade surplus of over 18 billion dollars in 2021, together with an export of 30.4 billion dollars in our textile and apparel sector, which provides employment to 2 million people, despite the pandemic. We exported 1 billion 355 million dollars with an increase of 33 percent in the same period, as UTİB. The Turkish textile industry has risen to a position that not only diversifies the market but also diversifies the product in this period when we exported to 195 countries with the understanding that the whole world is a market”. Engin stated that one of the strongest aspects of textile is being open to design and innovations, saying that they will continue their work on R&D, design, innovation, branding, ecological and environmentally friendly production without slowing down so that the industry can stand out in the global competitive environment.
UHKİB President Nüvit Gündemir disclosed that production in the textile sector should continue to focus on branding and exports with high unit prices and relayed; “Our new generation engineers will make the most important contribution to the continuity of our success. Our industry is a fun field to work in, combining economy with aesthetics, design and fashion. There is so much they can do in our industry when our young people come up with new ideas. We must continue to invest in R&D and focus on digital resources across all industries to increase our competitiveness”. GAİB Coordinator Chairman Ahmet Fikret Kileci stated; “Although petrochemical raw materials are very valuable today, we should not forget that everything will return to nature. Our youth should be open to development and renewal in the light of these changes”.
Türkiye should use its organic cotton advantage
Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association Chairman Jak Eskinazi emphasized that domestic raw material production is of great importance in the textile industry and made the following statement; “We are one of the leading countries in organic cotton for sustainability. When we market this as an advantage, we can create a new added value. In order for waste to be turned into the industry again, it is necessary for our young people to develop work at this point. We have to create a new textile industry that uses less water”.
AKİB Textile and Raw Materials Exporters’ Association Vice President Zeki Kıvanç expressed that cotton production should be carried out widely and effectively and disclosed; “We are experiencing problems in the supply of cotton that turns into the industry from agriculture. We need to increase cotton production by using good agricultural practices as the sector grows for this reason. We are also clear ahead in the field of organic cotton due to the solid infrastructure in our country”.
The textile industry must adapt to the changing world
Aegean Apparel and Clothing Exporters’ Association (EHKİB) President Recep Burak Sertbaş noted that digitalization in production is an issue that needs to be taken seriously and pointed out that sustainable production in the textile industry is an issue that needs to evolve urgently. He said; “The future of the textile industry will continue to grow stronger when our existing infrastructure adapts to the developments in the world. Our apparel industry will continue to exist in the coming years by digitalizing and complying with the sustainability rules. Our industry awaits excitement in young candidates who will produce and develop”.
UTİB Supervisory Board Member-İpekiş Mensucat General Manager Aşkın Kandil provided critical information for branding in textiles to reach a global level, disclosing; “You should always aim for the best in production and produce suitably for the consumer segment. A brand is a promise and it includes facts such as reliability, sustainability, quality production, sincerity and fast supply of the products in this word”.
İpeker Board Member İhsan İpeker pointed out that the adaptation of brands to new generations in textile will ensure continuity and said; “The steps you will take in terms of brand awareness must be in accordance with innovative technologies and meet the values of the day with the best quality and suitability”. ORKA Holding Board Member Kübra Orakçıoğlu also mentioned the importance of branding in global markets.
Turkish Textile and Finishing Industrialists Association President and Member of the Board of the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association Member of the Board Vehbi Canbolat (İHKİB) pointed out that the production of elastomer material in Türkiye will reduce the input costs and stated; “We are planning to implement the works we carry out for the production of Elomester in a way that will provide added value to our country next year”.