Taipei ICAC seminar highlights smart production and market trends
The ICAC International Seminar 2017, Taipei was held Sept. 18, with the attendance of local and overseas textile experts and professionals, including representatives of 13 ICAC member states.
The event, themed "Market Trends and Sustainability of Cotton & Textile Industry," was organized by the Taiwan Textile Federation and jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and International Cotton Advisory Committee. Taipei has hosted a total of six international ICAC symposiums since the first was held in 2005.
In her welcome remarks, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-Hua Wang noted that one of the main aims of this year's seminar was to explore the utilization of automation in the production process, as well as innovative applications combining cotton and synthetic fibers, as part of efforts to facilitate the cotton and textile sector's sustainable development.
The seminar including two sessions, one on the topic of "Intelligentization and Digitalization of Textile Industry," moderated by TTF President Justin Huang, and the second on "Market Trends and Sustainability of Cotton &Textile Sector," moderated by former ICAC Executive Director Terry Townsend.
For the morning session, Dr. Jay Lee of the University of Cincinnati delivered a keynote speech on "Industrial Big Data and AI for Smart Manufacturing Transformation and Case Studies," while in the afternoon session, keynote speaker Mr. Robert Merrill of IHS Markit talked about "Cotton and Synthetic Fiber Supply Chains and Market Trends."
The first session included presentations by leading experts on the topics of robotics automation and Industry 4.0 in the age of disruption; the impact of e-commerce on global trade; the influence of technology, innovation, consumers and politics on the future of fashion; and recycled green textiles and smart manufacturing.
The second session featured presentations on the cotton industries in Australia, South Africa, and the United States; driving business change toward sustainability; high performance textile finishing for sustainability; and development of polyester fiber and future trends.
Taiwan will continue to support for ICAC activities and have closer cooperation among the member states in order to create more win-win outcomes in the global cotton and textile sector.