Huntsman Textile Effects has just announced formation of a joint Innovation Council with Madura Fashion and Lifestyle, a part of the Aditya Birla Group.
Madura is a renowned fashion house with a strong reputation for innovation most recently recognized by US Apparel Magazine as amongst the most innovative apparel companies in 2011.
Huntsman is a clear leader in innovative solutions for the textile industry. It is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, healthcare, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging.
Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman has approximately 12,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The company had 2010 revenues of over $9 billion.
Speaking on the formation of the council, Mr. Rohit Aggarwal, Textile Effects Global Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Planning, stated: “Consumers in the Indian market are increasingly affluent and look to companies like Madura to provide the high quality, innovative products they demand. Huntsman is proud to partner with Madura to drive innovation and quality to an even higher level in the future.”
Madura Fashion & Lifestyle is one of India’s fastest growing branded apparel companies and a premium lifestyle player in the retail sector. It has a superb portfolio of brands straddling mid-price, premium and super premium segments. The retail presence and expansion strategy across different cities and locations has been done keeping in view the positioning of each brand and the relevance of the catchment.
Premium brands, namely, Louis Philippe, Van Heusen and Allen Solly, are predominantly present in the metros and top cities. Peter England, a brand focused on the mid-price segment, has a significant presence in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, apart from metros and top cities. The Collective’s unique chain of stores offers best of international brands and services in an innovative manner. Planet Fashion retail stores have been able to successfully reach consumers in not only metros, but mini metros and with a strong distribution network. A distribution agreement with international brand Esprit has ensured that this highly growth-oriented company bolsters its international presence.
Madura Fashion & Lifestyle reaches its discerning customers through an extensive network comprising more than 1,000 exclusive and franchisee stores and over 2,000 premium multi-brand trade outlets, both within and outside India. The company’s brands are also present in over 100 department stores.
For Madura, Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Head and Vice President, Product Development and Quality Assurance, commented: “As one of the leaders in Fashion and Lifestyle within the Indian market, it is essential to continuously drive innovation. Working with strong partners like Huntsman Textile Effects is an important aspect of maintaining our leadership position.”
Huntsman Textile Effects is the leading global provider of high quality dyes and chemicals to the textile and related industries. Research, innovation and sustainability are at the heart of its operations, and it uses cutting-edge technology to develop innovative solutions to create innovative products and technologies with intelligent effects, such as built-in freshness, sun protection or state-of-the-art dyes to reduce water and energy consumption, meeting the needs of its customers and supporting a more sustainable environment.
With operations in 110 countries and 14 primary manufacturing facilities worldwide in 12 countries (China, Columbia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Switzerland and the US), Huntsman TE is uniquely positioned to provide fast and expert technical service wherever its customers are based.
NatTech Forum 2012
With its excellent track record in addressing environmental and sustainability concerns for textile mills around the world, Huntsman Textile Effects was exclusively invited by Decathlon, a leading sports goods manufacturer, to present its latest sustainable developments and innovations in NatTech Forum 2012 held at Tirupur.
Speaking on the topic, “A Partner For A Sustainable Future”, Mr. Dhirendra Guatam for Huntsman Textile Effects clearly demonstrated the availability of technologies that cut both water and reduce energy consumption. In addition he presented systems to empower the customers to develop their businesses through productivity improvement and providing total textile solutions that will deliver economic and environmental sustainability.
The international technical forum, organized by Decathlon with the support of Natimeo and Oxylane, sought to challenge key vendors in the Indian textile industry to develop a new vision to meet the increasingly demanding and stricter regulations that govern sustainable and environmental business practice as well as to provide a platform for the exchange of new ideas and innovative solutions.
The event was well attended by over 70 delegates from leading mills in India, multinational testing agencies and Huntsman Textile Effects as the chosen specialists in chemicals and dyes.
Added Mr. Rohit Aggarwal, Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Planning, Huntsman Textile Effects: “Consumers today are acutely aware of environmental concerns surrounding the textile industry as a result of the involvement of pressure groups like Greenpeace. Consequently, the government’s involvement is inevitable as we saw in the total standstill in Tirupur last year. At Huntsman, it is our goal to provide solutions for the textile mills to transit into an industry which creates no unnecessary environmental harm and, equally, allows them to achieve economic sustainability. The NatTech Forum has enabled us to reach the vendors of a very influential global brand in a key textile processing market.”
Said Mr. Nirmal Kumar Shanmugam, Production Team Manager Decathlon India, Knits – Components: “NatTech Forum 2012 was a huge success, thanks to the participation of like-minded companies such as Huntsman Textile Effects. We look forward to more of such collaborative platforms where we can continue to drive higher standards in environmental sustainability and in making a real difference.”