The apparel climate story has moved out of the ESG report and into the cost sheet. In ****–****, climate risk is showing up as cotton quality loss, import dependence, energy volatility, cooling capex, carbon-price exposure and mandatory textile-waste fees. For brands and suppliers, the question is no longer whether climate action is ‘responsible’. It is whether delay will make product margins uncompetitive.

The latest data makes the shift visible. Textile Exchange says global fibre production reached *** million tonnes in **** and could hit *** million tonnes by **** if business continues as usual. Polyester alone now makes up ** per cent of global fibre output, with ** per cent still fossil-based. That scale gives apparel a low-cost material engine, but it also ties the sector to fossil energy, petrochemical volatility and future carbon accounting.

Caprolactam (CPL) prices initially held near $*.**–*.**/kg with minimal movement, while nylon chips saw uptick to ~$*.***/kg (+*.* per cent WoW) driven by short-term restocking. Nylon filament yarn (DTY **D/**F) prices remained stable at ~$*.**–*.**/kg, supported by existing inventory and steady downstream textile operations.

By the second week (April * to April **), benzene stabilised, but caprolactam began to weaken to ~$*.**–*.**/kg (−*.* per cent WoW), signalling the start of broader chain pressure. Nylon chips responded with a mild correction to ~$*.***/kg (−* per cent WoW), while filament yarn prices continued to hold steady due to inventory buffers and ongoing execution of prior textile orders. In the third week (Apr **–**), caprolactam stable to ~$*.*/kg, and chips followed to ~$*.***/kg (Stable WoW).

Vietnam has recorded a strong rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade in the first four months of 2026, underlining its growing role in global manufacturing and export supply chains.

Total registered FDI, including newly registered and adjusted capital, along with foreign investors’ contributions and share purchases, reached $18.24 billion as of April 27, up 32 per cent year on year (YoY), according to the Ministry of Finance’s National Statistics Office (NSO).

Vietnam attracted $18.24 billion in FDI in January–April 2026, up 32 per cent, driven by manufacturing and processing.
Realised FDI hit a five-year high, signalling continued capacity expansion.
Trade surged to $344.17 billion, supported by strong US demand and rising imports from Asia, highlighting deeper global supply chain integration and export momentum.

A total of 1,249 new projects were licensed with combined registered capital of $12.15 billion, reflecting a 3.7 per cent annual increase in project numbers and a 2.2-fold rise in value. Manufacturing and processing dominated, attracting $8.12 billion, or 66.8 per cent of total newly registered capital.

Realised FDI in the January–April period was estimated at $7.40 billion, up 9.8 per cent YoY and marking the highest level for the period in the past five years. Of this, the manufacturing and processing sector disbursed $6.12 billion, accounting for 82.7 per cent. Meanwhile, 316 existing projects registered additional capital of $3.13 billion, representing a sharp 51 per cent decline compared to the same period last year. Combining newly registered and adjusted capital, total FDI into manufacturing and processing reached $10.49 billion, or 68.6 per cent of the total.

Foreign investors carried out 976 capital contribution and share purchase transactions worth $2.96 billion, up 61.9 per cent YoY. Among these, 325 deals increased enterprises’ charter capital by $445.13 million, while 651 share acquisitions without capital increases totalled $2.51 billion. Wholesale and retail trade led these investments, capturing $1.89 billion, or 63.9 per cent.

Among 53 countries and territories with newly licensed projects, Singapore was the largest investor with $6.05 billion, accounting for 49.8 per cent of the total. It was followed by the Republic of Korea with $4.08 billion (33.6 per cent), China with $524.1 million (4.3 per cent), Japan with $462 million (3.8 per cent), Hong Kong (China) with $329.2 million (2.7 per cent), and the Netherlands with $318.5 million (2.6 per cent).

On the trade front, Vietnam’s total trade with the rest of the world was estimated at $344.17 billion in the first four months of 2026, a significant increase from $277.21 billion in the same period last year, the NSO said. In April alone, trade volume reached an estimated $94.32 billion, rising 8 per cent from March and 26.7 per cent YoY.

The United States remained the largest importer of Vietnamese goods, with imports valued at $53.9 billion, while China continued as the top supplier with $69 billion. Imports from traditional markets also surged, with South Korea and ASEAN recording growth rates of 57.8 per cent and 44.3 per cent, respectively.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (MS)