Shanghai - Intertextile solidified its position as an effective international sourcing platform earlier this month with over 67,000 buyers and nearly 3,300 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions attending the show.
The fair’s hybrid format served to facilitate maximum business results as buyers and exhibitors alike took advantage of online solutions, while sustainability again came to the fore of industry discussions, issues and innovations.
Senior General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, Ms Wendy Wen commented following the fair: “We have been extremely pleased to welcome more of the global industry at this Autumn Edition of Intertextile Apparel. Notably, SalonEurope including the Made in Germany area and Milano Unica Pavilion, were greatly received by domestic buyers, with the latter returning for the first time since the pandemic.
"Together with Asian country and region pavilions, and other international companies, onsite reports from these exhibitors cemented the continued potential for overseas brands in the Chinese market and showed a clear sourcing demand for new, innovative products among Chinese buyers and consumers. This is accompanied by an overwhelming optimism for future prospects in the growing market. Exhibitors also noted that the vast majority of visitors were serious buyers with high purchasing power.
In the international halls, there were significant increases in exhibitors among the product zones reflecting the strong recovery in the industry, including a square metre growth of 115 per cent in the overseas Accessories Vision zone, 70 per cent in the Functional Lab and 54 per cent in the Premium Wool Zone. Meanwhile, the Korea and Taiwan pavilions increased by over 100 per cent, while the Japan Pavilion grew by 75 per cent. Almost all of the fair’s group pavilions from the likes of DuPont, Hyosung Group, The Lenzing Satellite and The Lycra Company also increased their exhibitor numbers, expanding sourcing options for buyers. Â
“It is also apparent that sustainability has and will, remain at the forefront of the industry while environmental protection continues to be a pressing issue for the fashion world and amidst global societies," Ms Wen added. "Therefore, fairgoers appreciated the extra focus placed on this issue, which was mirrored by the numerous sustainable products in high-demand among visitors."
Over the years, Intertextile has placed increasing focus on sustainability issues and solutions for a more eco-friendly industry. This edition was no exception, with even more exhibitors showcasing sustainable products and even more fringe programme activities dedicated to the issue. At the All About Sustainability zone, the ecoBoutique hosted a special designated area to display sustainable outfits, whilst in the domestic area, visitors could explore the Sustainable Fashion Zone display and Sustainability Trend Forum.
Some eco-friendly products on show included the Naia Renew cellulose fibres made from sustainably sourced wood pulp and recycled plastic waste by Eastman Chemical Co Ltd and Waste2Wear’s fully transparent and traceable materials made from plastic bottles from the ocean. Biodegradable, recycled and organic fabrics were also on display from BYR International and Cotton Council International, among many others.
Sustainability was also one of the four key themes of the fringe programme and included a ‘Make Sustainable Fashion Accessible to Everyone’ forum, along with a series of seminars covering sustainable processes, products, strategies, circular economy, carbon neutrality and more. This dominance of sustainability at the fair sends a clear message about the efforts being made by the industry to work towards a more environmentally friendly future.
