Transfar Chemical, a leading name in the global textile chemical industry, has long been recognized for its innovation-driven approach and deep commitment to sustainability, technological advancement, and customer-centric solutions.

As a global player with strong roots in China and an expanding footprint across South and Southeast Asia, Transfar continues to empower textile manufacturers with high-performance chemical solutions that align with global compliance standards and environmental goals.

At the forefront of this global transformation journey is Jackie Xu, Deputy Director of the Global Strategic Marketing Department and Head of Marketing for SEA/TMA Region at Transfar Chemical. With her sharp strategic acumen, cross-regional leadership, and passion for sustainable innovation, Jackie Xu plays a pivotal role in driving the brand’s positioning, market penetration, and customer partnerships across diverse geographies.

During her recent visit to Bangladesh, Jackie Xu shared her valuable insights with the Textile Today team in an exclusive interview. She discussed Transfar’s strategic outlook, market alignment, and her observations on Bangladesh's textile industry.

Textile Today: How do you align Transfar Chemical’s global brand strategy with evolving customer needs across different regions?

Jackie Xu: Aligning our global brand strategy with regional customer needs requires a structured and adaptive approach. At Transfar, we focus on five key pillars:

1. Comprehensive Market Research:
   We begin by conducting in-depth research to understand industry-specific trends, regulatory requirements, and evolving market dynamics. Customer segmentation helps us tailor our approach — for instance, prioritizing sustainability and certifications for luxury markets in Europe, while focusing on cost-efficiency and speed for fast fashion markets in Asia.
2. Core Brand Positioning with Local Adaptation:
   While maintaining a consistent global identity rooted in innovation, sustainability, and reliability, we adapt our messaging to suit local preferences. In Europe, we highlight our eco-certifications and circular economy efforts. In Asia, we emphasize responsiveness and cost-efficiency.
3. Strategic Local Partnerships:
   Collaborating with local distributors, industry associations, and sustainability experts enhances our market insight and strengthens credibility. These partnerships help us stay attuned to ground realities and respond faster to regional demands.
4. Agile Product Development:
   We are deeply committed to region-specific innovation. Our R&D teams work closely with local partners to co-develop solutions that align with both compliance standards and end-user expectations. Certifications and regulatory alignment are core to our product development cycle.
5. Cultural Sensitivity and Internal Training:
   To ensure consistency in execution, we provide cultural sensitivity training to our global teams. This includes business etiquette, communication styles, and understanding local values — all of which help avoid missteps and build deeper customer relationships.

In summary, it’s a balance between maintaining our global brand pillars and implementing them through localized, customer-centric strategies. Continuous feedback and iteration are key to long-term alignment.

Textile Today: What major trends do you foresee shaping the textile chemical industry in the next 3–5 years?

Jackie Xu: The textile chemical industry is at the cusp of a transformation, driven by sustainability, innovation, and evolving consumer demands. From my perspective, the following five trends will dominate the industry over the next few years:

1. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Solutions:
   We are witnessing a strong shift towards biodegradable and plant-derived dyes and auxiliaries. Reducing water pollution is a top priority, and the industry is embracing non-toxic chemical formulations that comply with global restricted substance lists like ZDHC and REACH.
2. Circular Economy Initiatives:
   The development of chemical recycling technologies and biodegradable materials is gaining momentum. Innovations such as enzyme-based and solvent-based recycling methods are enabling the breakdown of polyester and blended textiles into reusable raw materials, supporting a circular textile economy.
3. Digital and Smart Textiles:
   The integration of smart functionalities through conductive coatings and advanced finishes is revolutionizing the sector. Additionally, digital printing technologies are rapidly replacing conventional methods — significantly reducing water and chemical consumption while enabling design flexibility.
4. Energy Efficiency:
   Adopting low-temperature dyeing and finishing processes is becoming mainstream. These energy-saving innovations contribute not only to sustainability goals but also to cost optimization, particularly for resource-constrained regions.
5. Consumer-Driven Shifts:
   The push for sustainable fashion is reshaping demand patterns. Consumers are becoming more eco-conscious, influencing brands and manufacturers to choose greener chemical alternatives. However, the challenge lies in making these alternatives cost-competitive and scalable.

As the industry moves forward, we must prioritize green chemistry, smart technology integration, and harmonized global standards while addressing cost and implementation hurdles.

Textile Today: What are your key takeaways from the local textile and chemical processing industry from this visit?

Jackie Xu: Bangladesh is undoubtedly a global leader in ready-made garment exports. During my visit, I engaged with several prominent industry players and chemical processing units. I was impressed by their proactive attitude and their willingness to adopt advanced technologies — especially those pioneered in China. Here are two key observations:

1. Emphasis on Sustainable Practices:
   Bangladeshi manufacturers are increasingly focused on implementing cutting-edge wastewater treatment systems and transitioning to eco-friendly chemical alternatives to meet stringent global regulations. I noticed growing interest in low-water dyeing methods, supercritical CO₂ dyeing, and digital printing technologies that can reduce both water and energy consumption by up to 50%.
2. Digital Transformation and Automation:
   There is a clear ambition among local manufacturers to upgrade facilities through automation, AI-powered process optimization, and smart supply chain solutions. These efforts are critical in meeting fast-fashion demands and improving overall efficiency.

From a strategic perspective, I believe there is a tremendous opportunity for Bangladesh–China collaboration. Leveraging China’s technological leadership alongside Bangladesh’s labor advantage could yield substantial mutual benefits. Additionally, fostering vocational training programs and academic partnerships with Chinese institutions could accelerate skill development in Bangladesh.

That said, some challenges remain — particularly in infrastructure and utility reliability. A phased approach, beginning with cost-effective semi-automation, can help overcome these barriers gradually.