Page 16 - TEXtalks September/October 2021

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Knitting industry driving

Pakistan's export

Pakistan's textile industry always plays a crucial part other challenges. After exporting knitted bed sheets
in the country's GDP with exports. Knitwear maintains and knitted fabric, the sector alone fetched $4.532
the top position in the textile group with a 25 % share billion for the country, i.e., 29.20 % of the textile group
in textile group exports. Though there has been an and 17.91 % of the total National exports.
increase in textile exports, the knitting industry has
significantly improved its role in increasing exports. With proper support from the government, the
Pakistan's knitted garment exports had surged by knitting industry could further increase the productivi-
36.57% in the 2020-21 fiscal year. The exports of ty of the sector. Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers &
hosiery products rose from $2.8 billion in FY20 to Exporters Association (PHMA) has asked the govern-
$3.8 billion in FY21. ment that PHMA should be involved in high-level
meetings and consultative sessions on the subject of
Exporters of the knitwear sector have achieved the exports. With this, PHMA could further improve its
milestone from their hard work despite Covid-19 and productivity.

The global demand for Abaca fiber is

increasing amid the adoption of

natural fibers

The global abaca fiber market size is expected to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2028. The market is expected to
expand at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2021 to 2028. Abaca, binomial name Musa textilis, is a species of banana
native to the Philippines, grown as a commercial crop in the Philippines, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. The plant,
also known as Manila hemp, has great economic importance, being harvested for its fiber, also called Manila
hemp, extracted from the leaf stems.

The abaca fiber industry is expected to gain importance over the forecast period driven by the rising impetus
towards adopting natural fibers. The product’s superior performance and strength are also expected to
emerge as the key factors prompting the demand for abaca fiber over the forecast period.

During the 19th century, abaca was widely used for ships’ rigging and pulped to make sturdy manila
envelopes. Today, it is still used to make ropes, twines, fishing lines, nets, and coarse cloth for sacking. It can
be used to make handicrafts like bags, carpets, clothing, and furniture. According to the textile value chain,
Mercedes Benz has used a mixture of polypropylene thermoplastic and abaca yarn in automobile body
parts. Production of abaca fiber uses an estimated 60 % less energy than the production of glass fiber.

September/October 2021