The Vietnam Trade Office in India on April 22 convened an online seminar to strengthen connectivity and collaboration across the textile, footwear and leather sectors between the two countries, as both sides seek to align with evolving global supply chain trends.

The discussion brought together policymakers, trade bodies, research institutions and industry stakeholders from India and Vietnam, reflecting growing interest in building deeper bilateral engagement. Participants examined opportunities arising from supply chain diversification, sustainability mandates and the increasing role of digital transformation in manufacturing, according to Vietnamese media reports.

The Vietnam Trade Office in India held an online seminar to boost textile, footwear and leather collaboration amid shifting global supply chains.
Stakeholders highlighted complementary strengths, with Vietnam strong in garments and India in raw materials.
Discussions focused on silk cooperation, investment opportunities and technology exchange.
Upcoming trade fairs and exhibitions were also promoted.

Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in India, Bui Trung Thuong, noted that both economies complement each other across the value chain. He highlighted Vietnam’s strength in garment production alongside India’s capabilities in raw materials and textiles, suggesting that closer cooperation could support the development of integrated and higher-value supply chains.

He added that the forum aims to encourage direct engagement between businesses and investors to unlock opportunities in technology adoption, investment and sustainable practices.

India’s silk sector emerged as a key area for collaboration. P Sivakumar, CEO of the Central Silk Board, outlined India’s strong research base and global standing in silk production. He identified scope for joint work in silkworm breeding, technology transfer and workforce development, while also pointing to opportunities in value-added applications beyond textiles, including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. He further encouraged Vietnam’s participation in international sericulture platforms to deepen knowledge exchange.

From an investment standpoint, Invest India representative Aditya Das underscored India’s manufacturing ecosystem and policy support for foreign investors. He observed that complementary strengths between the two countries could drive partnerships in trade, joint ventures and integrated production networks.

Vietnamese representatives echoed interest in expanding technical cooperation. Nguyen Thi Nhai of the Vietnam Sericulture Research Centre emphasised the need for deeper collaboration in post-cocoon technologies, product innovation and training exchanges, while seeking greater institutional linkages with Indian counterparts.

The seminar also highlighted upcoming industry events aimed at fostering business connections. Vietnam will host the 26th International Shoes and Leather Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City from July 8 to 10, while India’s Bharat Tex 2026 is scheduled for July 14 to 17 as a comprehensive global textile platform. Industry representatives also promoted sector-specific exhibitions such as Meet at Agra 2026 to encourage partnerships.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

University of Leeds spinout SwitchDye has secured investment to scale-up its greener polyester dye technology. SwitchDye has created a drop-in dyeing system using fizzy water that enables textile manufacturers to reduce chemical intensity, energy use and water consumption.

A significant minority equity investment from John Hogg Technical Solutions will now support the spinout’s industrial validation in working mill environments.

SwitchDye, a University of Leeds spinout, has secured investment from John Hogg Technical Solutions to scale its eco-friendly polyester dyeing technology.
Using a fizzy water-based system, it cuts chemical use, water consumption, and energy needs.
It will support real-world mill validation and commercialisation, aiming to reduce textile pollution and enable more circular manufacturing.

John Hogg will provide technical input, manufacturing and stewardship expertise, along with access to customer networks to help SwitchDye move from lab to mill at pace.

“SwitchDye’s pioneering approach to polyester dyeing will help to drive a more circular and sustainable textile industry,” said professor Nick Plant, University of Leeds.

Polyester makes up more than half of all global fibre output. Dyeing fibre is highly energy intensive and consumes 600 billion litres of water every year across the globe, the university said in a press release.

Textile production is estimated to be responsible for about 20 per cent of global clean water pollution, and polyester dyeing alone releases around 280,000 tonnes of waste dye and other chemicals annually.

“SwitchDye’s pioneering approach to polyester dyeing will help to drive a more circular and sustainable textile industry. This is another example of the outstanding talent that exists within our research community and our strength in nurturing and supporting innovation in new technologies,” explained Plant.

Born from an ongoing collaboration between the Schools of Design and Chemistry at Leeds, SwitchDye’s team includes researchers and co-founders Dr Nathaniel Crompton, Dr Harrison Oates, professor Richard Blackburn and professor Chris Rayner.

The new dyes were synthesised in the Wolfson CO2 laboratory in the School of Chemistry and then transferred to the facilities at the University’s School of Design and the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), where the team conducted rigorous tests to demonstrate how SwitchDye’s system can remove additives that typically account for up to 90 per cent of chemicals, without compromising performance.

The technology is designed as a drop-in for common dyehouse equipment, allowing mills to keep using their existing machinery.

In addition to the chemical savings and reduction in waste, the new dyeing system can also streamline operations by reducing rinse stages and shortening machine time, using 40 per cent less water and saving on energy. The dyes can also be removed more easily at the end of products’ life, supporting fibre-to-fibre recycling.

The university’s commercialisation team worked alongside SwitchDye to make investor introductions and provided funding to help the team achieve commercial validation.

“Partnering with John Hogg gives us the technical expertise and industry reach to move from lab success into consistent, real-world application. Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with dyehouses and brands to demonstrate how the technology integrates into existing equipment and delivers measurable savings,” Dr Harrison Oates, chief technology officer at SwitchDye, said.

“The partnership with SwitchDye marks the start of an inspiring journey with the potential to improve the future of textile manufacturing for many years to come. At John Hogg, we have always taken pride in understanding our customers’ needs and the evolving demands of the market. Being part of an innovation that delivers a true step forward in sustainable dyeing technology is something we are genuinely excited about. We also see clear alignment between our businesses, with John Hogg’s wider capabilities helping to accelerate SwitchDye’s path to commercialisation,” Sam Walton, chief technical officer at John Hogg, said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)