Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, emphasised the importance of this event in fostering collaborations beyond borders and across sectors: “Visitors to our 30th anniversary edition this year increased by 10%, and 13% of the total was made up of international buyers. With China extending its visa-free entry and adding more countries to the list, we are optimistic for a further increase in overseas visitors next August, and for the fair to demonstrate its rising value to global industry players. The international and domestic markets are showing optimistic signs, and Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles is the ideal platform for exhibitors to showcase their ‘textile power’ to the home and contract sectors. Next year, and in the coming decade, we will continue to organise high-quality events and provide exceptional services to support our fairgoers.”

‘Textile power’ is a key message shared across the home textile segment of Messe Frankfurt’s Texpertise Network, with Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles amplifying the concept in Asia via the key textile hub of Shanghai, demonstrating a commitment to connect industry players from around the world, across sub-sectors and related markets.

Meanwhile, China's home textile industry is leveraging its strong manufacturing advantages, with a rebound in demand from major export markets in 2024 reversing the decline seen in 2023. From January to September, the country’s home textile exports reached USD 35.7 billion, a year-on-year growth of 3.8%[1], with the US, EU, and Latin American markets demonstrating growth well above the average. In many cases the demand has echoed the global trends of sustainability and innovation, strongly in evidence at the show in 2024 and set to continue as prominent themes in 2025.

Discussing emerging market trends, a Japanese exhibitor at the previous edition, Mr Runhao Ma, General Manager, Overseas Sales & Production Dept of Toyo Orimono Co Ltd, noted: “Previously only about 10% of our Japanese customers were looking for sustainable products, now 50% to 60% of our customers have such demands. This is one of the best international fairs in China to expand our reach to domestic and overseas buyers, which is why we continue to exhibit here. On the first day, we had already connected with more than 60 groups of very interested buyers.”

Mr Mário Abreu, Technical Manager of the Elastron Group from Portugal also indicated the importance of exhibiting at the textile trading hub: “This is our fifth time joining Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles, we have a division in China with a huge commercial team, and we noticed this show is good for our Chinese market. We are happy with the first day, and had plenty of visitors, mainly Chinese but also some from the Middle East.” Commenting on sustainability, he added: “We have a selection of textile-waste recycled fabrics that use zero water in production – if you manufacture a sofa using these fabrics you save 250 litres of water and about 400 PET bottles.”

A global showcase of innovation and collaboration

The 2024 edition welcomed 946 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions across the 100,000 sqm show floor, who crossed paths with more than 35,000 visitors from 108 countries and regions. Long-term buyers such as Ms June da Silva, Director of Hertex from South Africa observed: “The prices remain good; the biggest improvements have been communication and product quality, and the exhibitors are always forward-looking with colour. Around 70% of our inventory either comes directly from China or via Europe from China. This show is essential, and has become more and more important to us as one of our first choices for sourcing worldwide.”

The forthcoming Autumn Edition will continue to feature a wide array of home textile products, including bedding & towelling, rugs, table & kitchen linen, upholstery & curtain fabrics, editors, home textile technologies and textile design, with multiple dedicated product zones for buyers to explore. 

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).

To find out more, please visit: http://www.intertextilehome.com.