Sequins

	These strung sequins are from mainland China's Shantou Min Sheng, which produces hologram, metallic, iridescent and opaque models in 400 colors.

Stiff price competition in the low-end and midrange segments is driving Taiwan and mainland China makers of sequins and paillettes to shift to upscale production. Companies are pouring R&D efforts into creating a wider range of designs to attract orders.

The latest releases come in PET film, which is more durable than PVC. The material also absorbs colors easier and is tear-resistant up to 22kgf. In addition, PET film has a higher melting point of 260 C, compared with PVC at 180 C.

Suppliers are also adopting corrosion-resistant aluminum sheet. For lower-priced models, however, many still use less-expensive PVC.

Iridescent, hologram and metallic models are the best-sellers, used mostly on garments, bags and shoes. Shapes range from geometric and floral to animals such as pig, kangaroo, ostrich and rabbit. Holiday-themed models are cut out like jack-o'-lanterns, skulls, Christmas trees and hearts.

Apart from in-house inspections, models can be tested at independent laboratories such as SGS on request.

Among the Taiwan suppliers interviewed for this report, Danking Enterprise Ltd makes sequins in PVC, PET film and aluminum sheet. Products may be sent to SGS for inspection.

Seventy percent of machines used at the company's 1,000sqm Taichung factory are imported.

Danking also offers buttons, ribbons, hook-and-loop tape, zippers and applique. The US, France, Spain and Australia are the main markets.

Pomp Accessories Co. Ltd offers high-end models in PET film to clients such as Gucci and adidas. Midrange versions in PVC are exported to Wal-Mart.

The company sources materials from Japan and Germany.

Pomp's R&D team has six designers and 15 sample makers who finish prototypes in one week.

Tsewei Corp. offers opaque, iridescent and metallic models made of PVC and PET film. These come in flower, star, heart, leaf and snowflake shapes. Sizes range from 3 to 20mm.

The supplier has a four-member R&D team. It exports to the US, the UK, Mexico, Spain and Germany.

In the mainland, Wuxi Tiger Industrial Co. Ltd sources PVC and PET film from Guangdong province. The supplier also offers sewing, punching and embroidery equipment.

Models from Shantou Min Sheng Plastics Co. Ltd come in various animal shapes, including rabbit, horse, cat, ostrich and kangaroo. The company also offers designs with holiday themes, including ghost, skull and heart versions.

The company adopts PET and PVC, exporting to Europe, the US, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The

R&D team's five designers have three to 20 years of experience in the line.

Models from Jiangyin Kaixuan Arts & Crafts Co. Ltd include iridescent and hologram designs that change color.

The company exports to the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.