WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER SITE!
NEWSLETTER 19.01.23
BRAND SUICIDE
5 main hazardous chemicals in clothing from
China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia,
Pakistan, Vietnam, India named
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (BCP) has published a list of the main chemicals used
in the manufacturing of low-cost clothing, mainly from China.
CHINA is the world's largest manufacturer of textile products, however, ASIA manufacturers are
not the only offenders. Many global fashion brands outsource their production to countries with
cheaper labor and low wages for maximum profit, even not care much of child labor. Medical
restrictions in these countries are often not strict and allow international brands to use hazardous
chemicals for processing and dyeing clothes.
The list of the Commission for Consumer Product Safety - 5 potentially toxic chemicals found in clothing made in China:
1. Lead
Purpose: manufacturers prefer to use lead for dyeing fabrics, and most often it is found in brightly
colored products.
Impact on the body: according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive lead
exposure can affect the state of the whole body. And since there are no obvious signs of its harmful
effects, this is often overlooked. According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and
Research, lead poisoning in children under 6 years of age can seriously affect their mental and
physical development.
Recall, the U.S. Federal Customs Service has delayed the delivery of pink children's outfits
imported from China because of their lead content, and ordered the destruction of the goods in
accordance with the law on hazardous substances. In addition, customs officials seized several
thousand backpacks made in China and children's lunch bags because of the unacceptable levels of
lead contained in zippers.
2. NFE (nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenols)
Purpose: NPE is commonly found in industrial detergents used for washing textiles.
Impact on the body: according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accumulating in the
tissues of the body, they can disrupt the work of hormones and lead to a negative development of
reproductive functions.
For example, in 2013, Greenpeace, a non-governmental organization based in the United States,
published the results of a study of two main centers for the production of children's clothing in
China. Taken together, these two production centers provide 40 percent of all manufactured
children's clothing, most of which is exported to countries such as the United States. Researchers
found that more than half of all products contain non-PE substances.
3. Phthalates
Purpose: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are often called
plasticizers, which are used to make plastic more flexible and durable. They are present in a number
of household items, ranging from cleaning products to food packaging and cosmetics. In the textile
industry, they are commonly found in plastisol printing — rubber materials used to create images
and logos on T-shirts.
Impact on the body: as endocrine disruptors, phthalates can disrupt hormone levels and even cause
breast cancer.
In the study of Greenpeace Chinese textile centers, the organization found a high content of
phthalates in two samples.
4. PFC (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals)
Purpose: These substances are used to create a water-repellent coating, and are mainly used in the
manufacturing of products such as rain jackets and shoes.
Impact on the body: according to the National Institute of Ecology and the Environment, studies on
the effects of PFC compounds carried out on animals revealed disruption of the normal activity of
endocrine activity, reduced functions of the immune system, as well as a negative impact on liver
and pancreas function. At present, the effect on the human body has not been fully studied, but
various combinations of PFCs, such as PFOS and PFOA, have led to kidney disease and cancer.
Thus, another report from Greenpeace reported on the study of eighty-two items of children's
clothing, a third of which is produced in China. The study tested five types of chemical compounds
regularly used in the textile industry. PFH, which was one of them, was found in several verified
products at once. And one Adidas swimsuit contained PFH substances more than allowed by the
manufacturer’s own regulations.
5. Formaldehyde
Purpose: formaldehyde is contained in all sorts of household objects, such as building materials,
furniture, shampoos and cosmetics. It is widely used in the textile industry to impart products with
“non-destructive” properties, it also helps to avoid the accumulation of bacteria and fungus in the
folds of clothing during transport.
Effects on the body: prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can cause nausea, burning in the eyes,
nose and throat, cough, and skin irritation, according to a study by the U.S. National Cancer
Institute.
A study conducted by the General Directorate of the U.S. Government, revealed some textiles
exceeding the permissible standards for the level of formaldehyde. The report included such
products produced in China as hats for little boys, in which the formaldehyde content more than
doubled the norm. For very sensitive people, even a slightly elevated chemical can cause an allergic
reaction.
Start looking; where is it made, the consumers starts avoid brands producing in these
countries and support our sustainable production Made in Europe or USA. Western brands
who keep producing cheap in ASIA most of them will not survive, less they start looking at
real sustainability and move production to Europe -or USA and care about quality instead of
cheap poor garbage textiles quantity.
Most brands producing in ASIA is really Greenwashing and take a great responsibility for our
envioronment and the health of the consumers on their shoulders. https://chem-map.com/
chemical_news/new-chemical-restrictions-in-textiles-are-you-ready/
Made in Portugal properly the most sustainable brand in the World!
By the founder of Fashion Network Portugal
Stig Teilmann Nielsen
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
31.12.2022
What a fantastic year in many ways, 2022 was a year in which we manifested our position within the fashion business and production here in Made in Portugal. In 2023, we can concentrate on creating a much larger market share for the textile factories we collaborate with here in Portugal.
The concept we have created is different, we are not an agency but a consultancy, which is to the great advantage of the brands that will in future produce Made in Portugal, but especially also for the factories we collaborate with, which is why we deliver new customers not only to the door but follows them into your Factory and creates direct contact between respective brands and the Factory/s. In other words; we deliver any brand i.e customer directly to the Factory/s. It works fantastically and strengthens the factories' future customer portfolio. but diffidently also established brands i.e new brands opportunities for producing “Made in Portugal”.
There is an ongoing transformation of the entire fashion market. Fast fashion is losing market shares at a speed never seen before. Only in 2022 between 50-70%, which I, in fact, already predicted a year ago. Worldwide, there is an overproduction of textiles of 50% and the textile industry is responsible for 10% of the world's pollution. We in Portugal are, and must be, a leading country in the sustainable part of responsible production, we already are in many respects. In 2023 the textile world will have no doubt that Made in Portugal is the greatest and most sustainable in the world. We are well ahead in the ongoing transformation, which is why we can and will strengthen our position in 2023.
The world is being divided into 2, the western part and the eastern part. The western part is Europe and the USA, we do not need the eastern part and frankly, why should the west contribute to the eastern part of the world, which does us absolutely no good? Said with slightly harsh words; the eastern part will keep their fake fabrics, their child labor, and major pollution among many other bad things in their half of the world. Then we will concentrate on making our western half a Better World.
Western consumers have opened their eyes and the entire shopping behavior is about to change. Why buy 3 pieces of garbage and poor quality clothes produced in the East, when for the same price you can buy 1 piece that will last several years compared to a few months? Here in Portugal, we must utilize all this and will strengthen our position within textile production in 2023.
With great thanks to our collaborating factories, brands around the World during 2022 and for an Amazing 2023 to come, we at Fashion Network Portugal wish you and your families out there a Happy New Year!
Comprimentos / Sincerely
Founder Stig Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 24.10.22
On the move!
50-70 % of all small and mid size brands, who still produce in Asia, India, Turkey, will go bankrupt
within the next 2-3 years. The consumer is waking up from a sleep of denial. Many influencers
tells me; we prefer quality, not quantity. We prefer to represent fashion ethically made, we do not
accept children labors, we do not accept chemicals in fabrics nor fake fabrics. Why should we
buy poor quality and not support our textiles industry in Europe nor United States. The new trend
is buy to buy one quality piece instead of 3 pieces of garbage fashion, which only last for a few
wearings and washings.
As we all know, the fashion industry is a major contributor to the pollution of this planet. The
overproduction of textiles is more than 50 % of what the world demand of textiles. The new trend
is to simply reduce this overproduction and especially if we start to produce quality over quantity;
Made in Europe I.e. Made in USA.
Made in Portugal is a brand our elite factories have predicted a few years ago. Ever since they
have been preparing the factories in a way never seen before. Massive investments in; Solar-cells,
new technology, employees, ways of dying fabrics, avoid chemicals, education of our new future
in fashion. These are just among many other things which makes Portugal unique as one of the
best countries in the world to manufacturer.
The transformation of the whole fashion business is moving fast. The fast fashion brands loosing
market shares in a speed never seen before. Sales for several large European fast fashion brands
have fallen by over 50% in 2022 and it’s only the beginning of a new Fashion World!
By the founder of Fashion Network Portugal
Stig Teilmann Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 20.06.22
Change is on the way!
The fashion and textile industry will change in the coming years - Europe and America will take over more and more from Turkey, India, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar. There is a total change of purchase clothing coming up and this will reduce production dramatically in the far east - a tendency never really seen before. Fast fashion will be reduced by 30-50 %, Collection’s SS AW and what's in between will be taken more and more over by slow fashion, timeless fashion: Quality will win more impact than quantity. Fast fashion is going down; the very big players will lose market shares of 30 - 50 % over the next 2-3 years period.
On the other side - Made in Portugal is gonna win and we have full confidence in the fact that we have played a part in the development of one of the most respected and sustainable countries in the world when it comes to the Fashion & Textile industry. That makes us happy and proud - and it is why we do what we do!
In the New World of fashion we do not accept; child labour, chemicals, over production, fake fabrics, green washing among a lot of other things which has an impact on the fashion industry, but not in Portugal!
New Laws and Pacts in 2021 That Will Change the Future of Fashion:
As consumers become more informed about the environmental impact of the fashion industry, the calls for regulation and accountability among brands continue to increase in volume. And as time passes, more governments are taking action to address the lack of legislation and promote sustainability in the industry.
EUROPE
In March of this year, the European Parliament paved the way for a new EU law that requires companies to tackle human rights and environmental standards within their supply chains. This initiative applies to companies operating both inside and outside the EU market. Corporations can be sanctioned for non-compliance and are required to provide legal support for victims in case of incidence. There is also a ban on the import of products linked to severe human rights violations such as child labor.
In May, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets launched investigations into approximately 70 companies in the clothing sector. These companies were being investigated for making misleading marketing claims about the sustainability of their products, otherwise known as greenwashing. For the ones that were found guilty of the competition watchdog’s rules, they were fined up to €900,000 or a proportion of company revenue.
As part of France’s new climate bill passed in July, a “carbon label” is to be included on garments and textiles to help inform consumers about the environmental impact of their purchases. And in Germany, the new “green button” label law passed also in the same month requires companies including in the textile industry to meet a minimum of 26 social and environmental standards, ranging from supporting labor rights to testing for chemical residues.
And as the fashion industry pioneers towards a more circular economy, the EU is driving efforts to reduce waste and encourage recycling. By 2025, all EU municipalities will have textiles collection systems in place with France already requiring clothing producers and retailers to pay for clothes to
be collected, sorted and recycled. With this concerted effort, the EU’s plans for a standardized practice could encourage potential incentives and lower textile collection costs for brands with smaller environmental footprints.
By the founder of Fashion Network
Stig Teilmann Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 30.12.2021
Happy New Year!
We are now at the end of 2021. In many ways a strange year with Corona, but also a commercially fantastic year. There is no doubt that a new agenda has been set for the fashion and textile industry, in many ways far better development than before Corona.
The development in Fashion Network has only gone one way and it’s up, we are looking forward to a New Year 2022, which will no doubt manifest Fashion Network's position in fashion and textile production.The concept we have created has helped many brands already, launched new brands and moved well-known brands from mainly Asia to Portugal.
The past month we have been working on building up Fashion Network in Turkey, and we are already started to connect the first brands to some of the elite Factories. Our new website www.fashionnetworkturkey.com will be online mid / end January 2022. It’s the same concept as in Portugal, just in Turkey. The logistics will be the same as from Portugal MyDSV.
We have in Fashion Network integrated as a novelty for startups and smaller brands under development; Brand Atelier Textiles which offers exclusive service to this segment of customers. Brand Atelier Textiles offer design, patterns, tech packs and provide the first samples ready for production etc. Our team have more than 10 years experience and very capable to give the exclusive support and services on any request nor demands.
In terms of logistics, we are strong in both Portugal and Turkey. We are talking about delivery in a few days and shipping prices that are fixed, no anticipated expenses.
We are both in Portugal and Turkey spared from child laborers, Textiles that are treated with various chemicals, we have at all factories certification many both GOTS and OEKOTEX etc., several factories have entered into a SMETA program. Many of our factories create a great part of their energy by Solar cells. Furthermore it must be said, with the green wave that is blowing all over the world, I have a hard time taking those brands seriously that advertise to be sustainable when they produce under these above mentioned conditions on the other side of the globe. Not least when taking into consideration a long distance of transport and that many brands even fly their products to their destination “Very Green”.
Fortunately, we see that consumers changing their attitude and it goes fast, they have become more aware of their choice of clothes; where it comes from, how it is produced, what it contains and what it is made of and not least there has been a lot of focus on quality which we can say is far better in Portugal and Turkey. Made in China and other Asian Made in will face a tough time future wise, this is not just an assertion, but something we experience daily, production is being moved out of Asia.
With these words here at the end of the year 2021, the team in Fashion Network and Brand Atelier Textiles give the best wishes for a happy New Year 2022!
We Know How, that’s why!
By the founder of Fashion Network
Stig Teilmann Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 14.08.2021
MAKE EUROPE GREAT AGAIN - OUR CONTINENT!
Many fashion brands pretend to GO green, but in fact they’re not in reality if they don’t go all the way, but cover up and hide the fact that they spend a lot of CO2 to transport their products half the way around The Planet often by ship and air!
We often see these brands announce; We are a sustainable brand that produces organic and -or recycled products, but they manufacture their textiles far and away to make a few cents more in profit. These brands are far away from being sustainable and really don’t go all in, frankly speaking why do many of these brands who produce in Asia not care about our Continent “Europe” its here we live and the most normal way of thinking would also be, it's here we should place our production instead of sending money to example Asia or countries who really don’t care much about our Continent, but only wants our money! Can you imagine how rich Europe could be in 10 years If more companies start to take responsibility and stop production in Asia, but instead target our own home field; Europe. Can you imagine how much CO2 we would save by this change - It’s a huge number.
More and more end users, who buy their textiles and fashion, are changing and really look more into; where in fact is my clothes produced? Made in Asia is really not doing anything for our environment or our economy, not to mention, in many occasions, a really poor quality. That could be the reason why some companies are forced to burn hundreds of thousands of tons of textiles, it’s simply getting harder to sell cheap poor quality! We see it as a sign that the consumers are getting more aware of what they buy and where it comes from. And for once the politicians made something right; from 2025 it will be totally forbidden to burn new textiles. This law is already being implemented here in Europe.
I have seen with my own eyes, of course not in Portugal, production where poor employees were forced to use real masks under production only to be able to breath because the textiles were so full of chemicals. Can you imagine wearing such textiles and how they potentially can influence the body? I can; the same as with some foods which are full of chemicals that make us sick from inside - this is just the opposite and comes from the outside, but in fact they have the same effect on our body...
In Portugal our factories take the future serious and are really focused on the environmental prospect and do some major changes to protect our Planet. In fact the factories in Portugal have been very visionary to meet the future of Textiles Production. By visiting all our factories often I have been lucky enough to see first hand that our factories have a real concern for the environment, the future of our children and day by day pursue a more and more green strategy.
Our factories improve every day to produce in a sustainable way and absolutely care about the environment as well as their employees. Many factories down here start to use solar to create energy for the production and we do have a lot of sun so it’s an obvious step in the right direction. We also see many fashion brands move to produce in Portugal at this moment, which is a very good sign! But still a long way to go whilst many companies simply do not know enough about the logistic advantages of setting up production in Portugal. Too many still focus entirely on the price of fabrication and that is not only wrong but makes no sense either since the logistic benefits of production in Portugal will outweigh the cheapness tempting from asia. I can tell you, with more than 20 years experience in the logistics business.
The past month we have seen an explosion in activity and many brands want to move their production to Portugal. It is well known that we have a long history in textiles. Made in Portugal stands for quality and for going green! We see a lot of new brands that really care and take this seriously. How do we see that? They simply want to manufacture their textiles in Portugal...
By Stig Nielsen, Founder of Fashion Network Portugal.
NEWSLETTER 14.06.2021
Cotton Yarn Prices gain significantly on surging cotton rates. Demand.
The A Index increased from levels near 85 cents/lb in early April to 95 cents/lb -or the equivalent to exactly 11,17 % in early May. Unfortunately the increase in prices for Cotton yarn continues and naturally no one knows at what level cotton prices will stabilize..
Which we of course see as an opportunity! It will therefore make perfect sense for those brands that have the opportunity to place orders that run up to 12 months which could see them close at the current levels.
As always China plays a big role with their perpetual attempts to control the world. It is confirmed that they are buying all the cotton yarn they can get their hands on, which leads us to believe it is unlikely that we will see the cotton price decrease in the near future.
Ultimately it is a matter of demand. But we also believe in the implementation of new EU law where it is forbidden to destroy or burn new textiles that cannot be sold. The “Go Green” segment and focus on quality will also have an impact on cotton prices.
Here in Portugal our textiles & fashion factories have what it takes!
Modern techniques, High quality, Organic i.e. recycled fabrics, more factories establish solar energy to run the production, A long history in textiles production. And a great level of hospitality among 1000 other benefits by moving your production and manufacturing to Portugal!
NEW OPENING
Fashion Network Portugal - Copenhagen branch office!
45 41 10 32 04
Fashion Network Portugal
By Stig Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 10.04.2021
Next generation retail “New tomorrow” !
Anyone who knows today's customer with data owns the future with insight
3% of us research a product in a physical store, 87% research a new product online and 45% of us find new stores online through Google. The battle for customers in the retail of the future seems to be between on- or offline, but that is not the case. It is not that simple. It is not necessarily one or the other but primarily about both and in relation to e-commerce and the future that all traders face. Thus, the debate and dialogue about online commerce, and thus also about how retail should work in practice, will not deal with online vs. offline. It's going to deal with understanding the entirety of the modern consumer when shopping and interacting with a brand.
Brands that have both physical stores in combination with e-commerce will be able to develop their brand retail both on and offline, whereas retailers that only have physical stores can expect that the vast majority of this category will not survive the new future we must expect.
In Fashion Network Portugal we analyse the potential clients
I.e. respective brands. And we are well prepared for the “new tomorrow”.
The past month we have gained +10 new brands moving their production to Portugal. We are also getting known and popular within new startups which is rather important for us while they are the new future of the fashion business. A great part of these new brands will grow big and it’s important that the textile factories are aware of that.
A startup is growing faster than ever in the digital world and many of them will develop growth at a speed that will create volume faster than ever. A startup is therefore interesting for our factories in
Fashion Network Portugal.
The benefit for elite of Textiles & Fashion Factories inside
Fashion Network Portugal and the benefit for our future clients I.e. brands;
High quality
Long time experience
Go green
We strengthen the respective brands' liquidity by delivering faster and in shorter intervals: “Production on-demand”.
Complaints and claims are one of the lowest levels in the world.
We are well ahead of future developments and extremely visionary in
Fashion Network Portugal!
By the founder
Stig Teilmann Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 11.03.2021
"GO GREEN"
Danish textiles smoke in the oven or goes to Romania: Think the volume worldwide!
The quality of the clothes has simply become so poor!
"It screams to heaven that something must be done. The quality of the clothes has simply become so poor that it is difficult to recycle much of it. And more and more of it comes because new collections are spit out every day. ”
Today, the European Environment Agency estimates that the textile industry is the fourth most polluting sector after transport, housing and food. Consumption has tripled since 1975 and will increase by a further 60 percent towards 2030, it sounds from the same agency in a forecast.
Sweden and the Netherlands have each published plans for nationally expanded producer responsibility for textiles.
So far, in Denmark, through the government's waste agreement from the summer of 2020, it has been decided that Danish households from 1st January next year will start sorting the approximately 92,000 tonnes of textiles that are discarded each year.
But the clothing companies must have the financial responsibility themselves, so that they are motivated to produce clothes that last longer and have a better quality.
The waste analysis company Econet estimated in the autumn that Danish clothing brands, shops and department stores annually send 677 tonnes of new clothes and textiles directly for incineration.
More brands will GO GREEN and be aware of quality!
By the founder
Stig Teilmann Nielse
NEWSLETTER 05.02.2021
The fashion industry is suffering. Many brands face huge challenges. Sales of collections fail completely here at the beginning of 2021 and we will sadly see a lot of clothes being sold at great discount. For many, it is about survival, but it requires action and immediate conversion regarding production of future collections.
Conversion to on-demand production provides great financial benefits and strengthens any brand. At the same time we need to think more about the future of our planet, and there is really something to be gained in the fashion industry. We see both overproduction and large stocks which is not good for neither the environment nor the finances of any brand. At the same time, consumers are changing; people want quality - not quantity.
Move your production to Portugal - we offer the way to success; Quality, sustainable production and production on-demand. Use Fashion Network Portugal, it is our privilege to find the factory that suits any given needs!
By the founder
Stig Teilmann Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 04.12.2020
We have several good news, there are now more inquiries and it seems that we are gradually seeing an increasing trend in the knowledge of Fashion Network Portugal and the elite of factories on the site.
The Trade Council at the Danish Embassy in Lisbon works with, among other things, fashion i.e. brands looking to produce in Portugal. The Trade Council has started using the Fashion Network Portugal platform to locate textile factories in Portugal, and this will of course benefit the factories represented on Fashion Network Portugal, which will give them a huge advantage in the future, compared to those factories. which is not part of the Fashion Network Portugal.
Something else interesting is the freight market from Asia to Europe is collapsed. There is a great shortage of containers and thus long waiting times for shipping from Asia. At the same time, the freight rates are more or less exploded and gone rocket sky heights.
We are currently hearing on delays of up to 3 - 4 months to Europe. This should mean that more Companies are looking at the possibilities nor alternative of moving more production to Europe, also when we look at the whole fashion market development, more and more companies have started to switch from mass production to on-demand production.
By the founder
Stig Teilmann Nielsen
NEWSLETTER 13.10.2020
Corona changes our clothing habits;
The fashion industry is changing clothing collections because the crisis is
causing us to change our clothing style. - If we sit in teams and skype
meetings, then you can almost always only see from life and up. That's why
it's where a little nicer items are sold. On the other hand, a lot of jogging
pants and sneakers have been sold, says Thomas Klausen, CEO of Dansk
Mode & Textil.
Swedish clothing giant H&M will transform used clothes into new directly in the stores;
Fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz will transform used clothes from customers
into new via a special machine. H & M will let customers transform used
clothes into new in the chain's store in Stockholm Fulton Cecilie Als
Mortensen It must end up throwing away used clothes that no longer fit in the
size or wardrobe, directly in the rubbish bin or in a recycling container.
The Swedish fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has decided this, and
therefore the chain's department in Stockholm will from Monday offer the
store's chains to have their discarded clothes transformed into new ones
using a special machine. The clothing giant, which has stores all over the
globe, has therefore invested in a so-called Looop machines that can
transform used clothes into new ones in less than five hours. This is done by
the machine i.a. breaks down the fibers of the garment and divides it into
threads that can subsequently be used to create new garments. According to
Hennes & Mauritz, the chain's new machine, which will for the time being
benefit retailers in Stockholm, can handle more than one garment at a time
without using water or chemicals. However, in some cases the machine may
need "sustainably procured" raw materials, which according to H&M tries to
be as small as possible. HM recycling The whole process is visible to
customers, who according can currently choose to have either a sweater, a
baby blanket or a scarf made from the clothes that are delivered. This is done
for a fee of between 11-16 dollars. H&M gets huge fine for breach of GDPR
"We are trying to expand the available range when we get to know the Looop
machine better. H&M launched a global strategy for collecting clothing in all of
the chain's stores. Just as it has set itself the goal that all clothing sold in the
chain stores must be made from recycled or sustainable materials by 2030. A
figure that, according to the company, is currently around 57 percent.
FASHION NETWORK PORTUGAL
Founder,
Stig Nielsen
