India has extended the anti-dumping duty (ADD) on flax or linen fabric imported from China and Hong Kong for another five years. The Indian government first imposed the duty on November 10, 2020, for a five-year period. The sunset review concluded that material injury persisted due to increased imports. Flax fabric, often considered a ‘super cotton’, is widely used in premium clothing.

The government has formally notified the continuation of ADD on imports of flax fabric from China and Hong Kong, following the outcome of the sunset review investigation. The extension was issued through Notification No. 31/2025-Customs (ADD) by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, last Friday.

India has extended anti-dumping duty on flax or linen fabric imported from China and Hong Kong for another five years, following a sunset review that confirmed continued dumping and injury to domestic producers.
DGTR found increased import volumes and suppressed domestic prices despite earlier duties.
Imports from China will attract $2.36 per metre, while those from Hong Kong will face $1.14 per metre.

The subject goods are defined as woven fabric containing more than 50 per cent flax content—commonly referred to as flax or linen fabric—classified under HSN code 5309 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) initiated the review on March 29, 2025. In its final findings on August 8, 2025, the authority confirmed continued dumping of these goods from China and Hong Kong, resulting in material injury to the domestic industry. The report cited a rise in import volumes despite existing duties, deterioration in domestic price levels due to import undercutting, and suppression of domestic prices, which prevented local manufacturers from passing on increased raw material costs.

Based on these findings, the Central Government has extended the anti-dumping duty on flax fabric imports from the identified sources. Imports originating in or exported from China will attract a duty of $2.36 per metre, while those linked to Hong Kong will face a duty of $1.14 per metre, irrespective of producer or exporter. The duty is payable in Indian currency, calculated as per the exchange rates notified by the Ministry of Finance under Section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962, on the date of filing the bill of entry. The latest notification confirms that the duty will remain in effect for the next five years from its date of publication.

The continuation of the duty aims to ensure fair trade and protect domestic producers of flax-based fabrics and linen textiles, who have faced sustained price and volume pressures from lower-priced imports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)

American clothing company HanesBrands Inc has reported its financial results for the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 ended September 27, with net sales from continuing operations of $892 million, marking a 1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline. On an organic constant currency basis, sales fell 4.9 per cent. Despite the revenue slip, operating profit rose 14 per cent to $108 million.

The operating margin improved 160 basis points (bps) to 12.1 per cent, driven by lower selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and effective cost-saving initiatives.

US’ HanesBrands Inc has reported net sales of $892 million in Q3 2025, down 1 per cent YoY, while operating profit rose 14 per cent to $108 million and margin improved to 12.1 per cent.
EPS surged 986 per cent to $0.76, aided by tax benefits.
Despite weaker US and international sales, cost savings, margin expansion, and market share gains strengthened results ahead of its merger with Gildan.

Adjusted operating profit increased 3 per cent to $116 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 13 per cent—up 45 bps YoY. Gross profit slipped 3 per cent to $363 million, with gross margin narrowing 70 bps to 40.8 per cent, primarily due to an unfavourable business and customer mix.

The earnings per share (EPS) surged 986 per cent to $0.76, boosted by a $0.64 per share discrete tax benefit. Adjusted EPS climbed 25 per cent to $0.15, reflecting stronger operational performance and lower interest expenses. The balance sheet continued to strengthen, with leverage decreasing to 3.3 times net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA, compared to 4.3 times a year ago, HanesBrands said in a press release.

In the US market, net sales declined 4.5 per cent due to a late-quarter shift in replenishment orders at a large retail partner. Nevertheless, HanesBrands saw sequential improvement in unit point-of-sale trends each month and recorded a successful back-to-school season, with the Hanes brand gaining market share. Operating margin in the segment rose 20 bps to 22.2 per cent.

International net sales fell 8 per cent on a reported basis, including a $4 million forex headwind, and 6 per cent in constant currency. Sales improved in Japan but declined in the Americas and Australia. The operating margin in the segment dropped 230 bps to 10.2 per cent, impacted by lower volume and higher brand investment.

The cash flow from operations stood at $28 million, down from $92 million in Q3 2024, while free cash flow totalled $22 million, compared to $88 million last year. Inventory levels rose 10 per cent YoY to $991 million, largely due to tariff-related impacts, though stock keeping unit (SKU) count was reduced by 5 per cent year-to-date, reflecting tighter inventory management.

“Our top-line results for the quarter reflect an unanticipated late quarter shift in replenishment orders at one of our large US retail partners; however, we saw underlying fundamentals of our business continue to improve in the quarter. Our inventory position at retail is strong. We are encouraged by our unit point-of-sale trends, which sequentially improved each month during the quarter. We are also pleased with our strong back-to-school season as the Hanes brand continued to gain market share,” said Steve Bratspies, CEO at HanesBrands Inc.

“In addition, the continued execution of our cost savings initiatives drove operating profit growth and operating margin expansion, which along with lower interest expense, combined to generate a 25 per cent increase in adjusted earnings per share in the quarter. Looking forward, our team remains focused on driving the business and the successful completion of the transaction with Gildan,” added Bratspies.

HanesBrands and Gildan Activewear entered into a definitive merger agreement on August 13, 2025, under which Gildan will acquire HanesBrands. While the company will not be providing guidance going forward due to the pending transaction, it believes it’s on track to meet its previously provided full-year 2025 EPS outlook, added the release.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

Turkiye’s industrial production increased by 2.9 per cent year on year (YoY) and decreased by 2.2 per cent month on month (MoM) in September this year, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (Turkstat).

The industrial production index (IIP) for manufacturing increased by 2.7 per cent YoY and decreased by 2.3 per cent MoM in the month.

Turkiye’s industrial production rose by 2.9 per cent YoY and decreased by 2.2 per cent month on month (MoM) in September, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute.
The industrial production index for manufacturing increased by 2.7 per cent YoY and decreased by 2.3 per cent MoM in the month.
The index for durable consumer goods fell by 7.5 per cent YoY and by 1.2 per cent MoM.

The IIP for electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply increased by 5.3 per cent YoY and decreased by 2.4 per cent MoM in the month, a Turkstat release said.

The index for durable consumer goods decreased by 7.5 per cent YoY and by 1.2 per cent MoM.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)