[pageLogInLogOut]

#Sustainability

From Berlin to Shanghai: Intertextile Apparel to host FASHIONSUSTAIN conference

(c) 2019 Messe Frankfurt
Fashion is witnessing an essential shift, as more global brands and groups commit to ambitious environmental targets. More consumers are indicating that they intend to leave fast fashion in the past, in favour of organic, ethical and recycled materials. At the 25th anniversary of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition, to be held from 25 – 27 September, eco-friendly supply chain switches and services can be found at All About Sustainability. The zone will also host FASHIONSUSTAIN’s first ever conference in Shanghai.

With 25 years of experience, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics remains at the forefront of the global textile industry, and has highlighted the importance of sustainability with a dedicated zone since 2008. What’s more, as China’s environmental commitments gain fast progress – for example, the recent reinforcement of compulsory recycling across Shanghai – the location of the fair is ideal to find the latest updates in environmental innovation. All About Sustainability, in hall 5.1, also hosts a dedicated forum space for fringe programme events.

Spotlight: FASHIONSUSTAIN conference

Global thought leaders will gather for a FASHIONSUSTAIN conference on the morning of 26 September, focusing on technology, sustainability, digitalisation and innovation as important drivers of the fashion and textile industries. The FASHIONSUSTAIN conference accompanies Messe Frankfurt’s Neonyt fair in Berlin, and is a new addition to the Intertextile Shanghai fringe programme.

From retail to diversity, the repercussions of social economic and ecological changes on retail, production and sales will be put under the spotlight, as well as topics such as feminism, equality, diversity, craftsmanship and the cultural dimension of sustainability in fashion. Currently confirmed participants include speakers from Hugo Boss, the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, Fashion For Good, Li & Fung, Sourcebook, Kaleidoscope Berlin and DyeCoo / Re-access. Simultaneous interpretation between Chinese and English will be available.

Eco-friendly exhibitors

From manufacturing fabrics to producing prototypes and sampling, green switches can be made throughout the supply chain. Exhibitor Penfabric, from Malaysia, was the world’s first fully integrated textile company to be awarded the Made in Green by OEKO-TEX® label. At the fair, Penfabric will showcase their GO GREEN Collection, which recycles discarded PET bottles into polyester, in compliance with Japan’s Container and Packing Recycling Laws.

New exhibitor MITI, from Italy, have developed BIOBACK technology fabrics with two main components: Amni Soul Eco® Nylon yarn with accelerated biodegradability, and Roica™ high performance elastane, which does not release any toxic substances during degradation. MITI fabrics are resistant to UV and abrasion, and offer stretch.

More eco-friendly fabrics can be found from Shaoxing Natave Textiles, who utilise Lenzing’s EcoVero™, Tencel™ and Modal® to create finished fabrics with a soft feel and excellent drape, offering sustainable solutions for ladieswear, evening dresses and suits.


Certification services add reassurance and value

Recent awareness campaigns have been utilising social media across the globe, as consumers ask for transparency in the apparel supply chain and ultimately encourage brands to improve on their practices. Just one example includes Fashion Revolution, a UK-based environmental and ethical NGO. Their annual campaign involves consumers from over 100 countries who ask brands the simple question: “Who made my clothes?” As public demand for traceability grows, sustainability and workers’ rights are key to moving forward.

A solution for brands lies in testing and certification. These tools are vital to ensuring trust in a brand, while a recognisable award logo can also act as a strategic selling point for a product.

All About Sustainability will feature exhibitors offering testing and certification services, meaning that both trade buyers and exhibitors alike can easily visit the product zone to learn more about improving their own transparency. These include:

  • BTTG Intertek Group
  • Control Union Certification (Shanghai)
  • Guangzhou Inspection Testing And Certification Group
  • Intertek Testing Services Ltd Shanghai
  • Qima Limited

SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services (Shanghai)

The fair will be held concurrently with Yarn Expo Autumn, CHIC and PH Value from 25 – 27 September, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The International Halls will be in halls 4.1 and 5.1.

More News from Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd.

#Home Textiles

Dual record participation, sleep and sustainability in focus as Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles concludes for spring

Spring Edition 2026 concluded on 13 March at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), achieving record highs in both exhibitor and visitor numbers. Nearly 380 exhibitors from six countries and regions connected with more than 28,500 visitors (12% increase[1]) from 83 countries and regions. As well as higher international participation from countries such as Portugal and Uzbekistan, the fair gathered major regional industry clusters from China, showcasing excellent functional products – particularly within the expanding sleep economy – that blend cutting-edge production with evolving consumer demands for stylish, comfortable, and sustainable living solutions. This dynamic mix was vividly showcased across Hall 5.2, cementing the Spring Edition’s role as a noteworthy platform for industry advancement.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Design, innovation and sustainability propel VIATT 2026’s expanding role in ASEAN textile sourcing

At its third edition, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles, and Textile Technologies (VIATT) further reinforced its role as a key sourcing and business platform for ASEAN’s textile industry. The three-day fair welcomed over 17,000 visits from 54 countries and regions, and featured over 460 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions across 18,000 sqm. The 2026 edition was marked by the introduction of new international pavilions and zones, broadening the fair’s sourcing scope across new geographies and product categories. The fringe programme, headlined by the debut Trend Forum, further distinguished VIATT as the region’s most integrated textile trade platform – uniquely spanning the entire value chain.

#Home Textiles

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition opens next week to spotlight smart textiles, sleep trends and sustainable sourcing

The home textiles industry is ready to gather in Shanghai next week as Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition 2026 prepares to open at the National Exhibition and Convention Center from 11 – 13 March. Bringing together more than 360 exhibitors from six countries and regions, the fair will showcase an extensive array of home textiles, including bedding, towelling, carpets, home textile technologies, textile design and more, serving as a forward‑thinking hub where design, sustainability and smart living converge.

#Home Textiles

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles returns in August as global sourcing hub and trend barometer for home textiles industry

Following the conclusion of Heimtextil last month, the flagship fair in Messe Frankfurt’s global home and contract textiles portfolio, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition will return 18 – 20 August 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Building on the momentum generated in Frankfurt, the Shanghai fair will reinforce its position as the foremost home and contract textile platform in Asia – successfully bridging the gap between East and West, and connecting global product trends, supply-chain shifts, and buyer demand in one marketplace.

More News on Sustainability

#Natural Fibers

Global Standard gGmbH launches second public consultation for GRTS Draft 2 for the textile industry (1–30 April 2026)

Global Standard gGmbH is pleased to announce the release of Draft 2 of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS) for its second public consultation. The consultation will be open from 1 April 2026 to 30 April 2026, inviting stakeholders across the textile and apparel value chain to provide input and contribute to the further development of this new Standard.

#Sustainability

Practical toolkit to drive coordinated climate action launched

An open-access workshop toolkit enables brands, suppliers, policymakers and investors across the textile industry to apply the System Map in their own work, identifying leverage points to halve emissions and enable a just transition.

#Raw Materials

Textile Exchange publishes cotton Life Cycle Assessment study to strengthen impact data

Textile Exchange has published the first in a series of seven Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies designed to improve the quality and robustness of environmental impact data for raw material production across the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. The first LCA study focuses on cotton and addresses critical data gaps and methodology variability through new high-quality data across key producing countries. The study includes organic, regenerative, recycled, and country averages for conventional cotton production systems, providing a clearer picture of the associated environmental impact.

#Sustainability

Experts publish APAC policy priorities

Cascale today announced the publication of its APAC Policy Priorities Paper, developed by the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Policy Member Expert Team (MET) to identify key regional sustainability challenges and provide practical, aligned recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders across Asia-Pacific.

Latest News

#Raw Materials

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has strengthened the regenerative focus of its field-level standard with the launch of a new version of its Principles & Criteria (P&C), which marks the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

#Man-Made Fibers

Selenis and Kintra Fibers partner to scale 100% bio-based synthetic fiber technology

Selenis, a leading global specialty polyester manufacturer, today announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with materials science company Kintra Fibers to scale Kintra’s patented fiber-grade PBS resin - a 100% bio-based and biodegradable material designed for textile applications.

#Functional Fabrics

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.

TOP