“The member countries of ASEAN have collectively established a vertical and integrated supply chain with the flexibility to address different sourcing needs in terms of quantity or product type, from basic to high-end,” says Wilson Teo, President of the Singapore Fashion Council. “Production in ASEAN is competitive in terms of cost and competency, with a developed infrastructure supporting resilient and agile services.”

Sustainability has become a priority for many ASEAN companies, he adds, not just in terms of regulatory compliance but also in response to demands from the brands and a growing environmental awareness among consumers.

Increasingly, the region’s manufacturers are selecting eco-friendly or responsibly sourced materials, reducing their water and energy consumption, minimising waste and implementing recycling and upcycling initiatives. Heavy investment in new waste-water treatment and clean and renewable energy systems is also notable.

Responsible production

“All of these initiatives not only make economic sense but also demonstrate responsible production,” Teo observes. “We have also seen the greater adoption of advanced machinery, automation and digitalisation, as well as closer collaboration between manufacturers and brands that includes joint research and development efforts, sharing best practices and working together to establish and meet sustainability targets and standards.

“In addition, ASEAN textile manufacturers are increasingly focused on providing transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain.”

In terms of sustainability, having introduced several initiatives across its operations in 2016, Ghim Li has subsequently achieved savings of approaching 30,000 MT of CO2, the equivalent of 3.2 million gallons of oil, and recycled 1.1 million cubic litres of water. The company has also received a Gold Award from Project Gigaton, Walmart’s initiative to remove one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from its global value chain by 2030.

Timely event

“ITMA ASIA + CITME in 2025 will provide ASEAN companies with access to the latest technologies in garment and textile production,” says Wilson Teo. “The industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace with technology disruptions, breakthroughs in innovations and the impact of sustainability. Garment and textile industrialists need to keep up and transform when necessary, in order to stay relevant.”