ACTE discusses revival of Italy's Biella textile sector

04 Jun '13

1 min read

The Executive Committee and the General Assembly of the European Textile Collectivities Association (ACTE) is holding a meeting in Biella, an important wool processing and textile centre in Italy, to discuss the revival of the textile sector.

Delegates from six European nations are participating in the two-day deliberations on the present and the future of the textile industry in Biella, according to Italian media reports.

The Biella region in northern Italy has high mountain pastures and copious water supply needed for washing fleece and powering mills. In 1835, a wool factory was set up in Biella town with the introduction of mechanical looms, putting Biella at the forefront of modern improvements in the industry.

However, since 1999-2000, the town’s textile industry is facing a crisis forcing many local wool mills to close, mainly due to their failure to compete with low-priced fabric and clothing from China.

Around thirty delegates from Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Spain and Macedonia are participating in the meet to discuss problems and chalk out strategies to revitalize Biella’s textile sector.

The delegates are expected to pass a resolution document, which will be submitted to Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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