Spanish apparel group Inditex has teamed up with Valencia-based Jeanologia, which specializes in innovative technologies for the textiles industry, to create an industrial air system that reduces the shedding of microfibers in textiles by using air without the need for water or thermal energy. The new system, Air Fiber Washer, extracts microfibers from the garments through a dynamic airflow and collects them in a “containment bag” for subsequent recycling. Each Air Fiber Washer machine can collect up to 325 kilograms of microfibers annually. The Air Fiber Washer is said to allow for up to 60 percent reduction in microfiber shedding. The two companies said this technology will be shared with the industry without any limitations.
Regarding financial news, Inditex, which includes Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Pull & Bear and Stradivarius, among others, continues to defy the general consumer sluggishness. Sales and operating profit rose strongly in Q1 (ended April 30), with growth of 13 percent to €7.6 billion compared to the same period last year. Earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) increased 43 percent to just under €1.5 billion. As a result, profits were 54 percent higher than in the prior-year period at almost €1.2 billion. Inditex has also continued its strong performance so far in the current Q2. From the beginning of May to June 4, sales in stores and online retail increased by 16 percent (at constant currencies).
