The European Commission has approved a €6 billion (~$6.5 billion) Italian state aid scheme to boost renewable hydrogen production for transport and industrial use, aligning with the EU Hydrogen Strategy and Clean Industrial Deal. The programme targets an annual output of 200,000 tonnes, covering hydrogen produced via renewable-powered electrolysis as well as biogenic and thermochemical processes.

Support will be provided through two-way contracts for difference, where a competitively determined strike price ensures revenue stability. If alternative fuel prices fall below this level, the Italian government will compensate producers; if they exceed it, producers will repay the difference. The scheme will run until 31 December 2029.

The European Commission has approved a €6 billion (~$6.5 billion) Italian state aid scheme to produce 200,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually.
Using contracts for difference, the programme will support decarbonisation in transport and industry by ensuring price stability, while promoting investment, competitiveness, and emissions reduction across high-impact sectors.

The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, proportionate, and incentivises investment that would not occur without public support. It also found that the environmental benefits, particularly in reducing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors, outweigh potential competition distortions.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)

The Los Angeles Dodgers and global apparel retailer UNIQLO have agreed to a historic partnership, through which the two leaders will work together closely for the benefit of the Dodgers, their fans and UNIQLO customers everywhere, and the broader Los Angeles community. The partnership agreement includes a display of the name “UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium” in the ballpark.

Bringing together two world-class brands, each with loyal supporters around the globe, the alliance is the first major sports partnership for UNIQLO in the United States. Under the agreement, UNIQLO will have naming displays in various stadium locations including above the batter’s eye in center field, on the facade beneath the press box, and on the grass along the baselines.

“With UNIQLO, we have established a historic partnership that we’re very proud to present in our ballpark,” said Stan Kasten, President & CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers. “UNIQLO is as distinguished in their field as the Dodgers are on ours. Both organizations aspire to be global leaders and to set the standard in our respective industries and communities.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Uniqlo have formed a landmark partnership featuring prominent “Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium” branding across the venue.
The collaboration, Uniqlo’s first major US sports deal, will include fan events, LifeWear giveaways, and dedicated in-store displays in California to strengthen engagement with both Dodgers fans and Uniqlo customers.

Commenting on the news, Tadashi Yanai, UNIQLO Founder and Fast Retailing Group Chairman, said, “It is a great honor to partner with the Los Angeles Dodgers – such a prestigious, world-class team that innovates with the times. For everyone at UNIQLO, this is a dream partnership that brings people everywhere together. Like the Dodgers, UNIQLO aims to be No. 1 in the world. We look forward to teaming with the Dodgers to deliver new value to fans and customers in Los Angeles and the United States as we continue our work to become the most loved and most trusted brand here and around the world.”

With a scope wider than typical sports sponsorships, the new partnership includes:

A focus on Dodgers fans

An in-stadium event will be hosted early in the coming season at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. This will be a large-scale event, introducing UNIQLO to thousands of Dodgers fans with giveaways of UNIQLO LifeWear items.

Efforts to engage UNIQLO customers

UNIQLO plans to create dedicated in store spaces at select locations in California, with a focus on the Los Angeles area, to showcase and promote the partnership.

A genuine commitment to the Los Angeles community

Joint contributions to the community will be an ongoing priority of the partnership. UNIQLO and the Dodgers are now working on a range of community-impact initiatives that specifically benefit the citizens and communities of Los Angeles, with a key focus on the next generation. Details will be announced around May.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)

Total apparel imports (HS ** and ** combined) stood at NZ$***.** million (~$***.** million) in January–February ****, down from NZ$***.** million in the same period of ****, marking a decline of **.* per cent year on year.

The country’s imports of knitted apparel (HS **) fell to NZ$***.** million (~$***.** million) in the first two months of current year, compared with NZ$***.** million a year earlier, registering a decline of **.** per cent. Similarly, non-knitted apparel (HS **) imports dropped to NZ$***.** million (~$**.** million) from NZ$***.** million, reflecting a decrease of **.** per cent. The parallel contraction across both segments indicates broad-based weakness in garment imports rather than category-specific pressure.