#Sustainability

2019-09-26

PERFORMANCE DAYS continues to focus on sustainability

Sustainability is a duty in the textile industry and PERFORMANCE DAYS wants to be the engine (c) 2019 PERFORMANCE DAYS functional fabric fair

It seems there is a lot of talk about sustainability these days – across the industries and around the world. A large share of the exploitation of resources and environmental pollution is (still) caused by the textile industry, specifically in the areas of water consumption, use of harmful chemicals, and CO2 emissions. This is the reason why the trade fair for functional fabrics and accessories, PERFORMANCE DAYS, taking place at November 13-14 in Munich, is dedicated to the topic of sustainability and has covered it comprehensively for several years now.

Sustainable textile production requires much more than recycled fabrics – PERFORMANCE DAYS exhibits the world of possibilities

According to Marco Weichert, head of the trade fair, "Sustainability is expected. It is our duty to act sustainably in all stages of the textile production process. Sustainability is much more than simply using recycled fibres and fabrics. PERFORMANCE DAYS was early to showcase this on a broad scale. We have accompanied the sustainable developments in the industry for many seasons, but even more, we provided the impulse in various directions for sustainability research and development."

Marketing manager Lena Weimer added: "Our FOCUS TOPICs featured sustainability issues early on and provided a focus to our innovative fibre and fabric producers to pursue developments in this field. Whether recycled fibres, recyclable materials, the important topics of biodegradability, water conservation or the use of natural fibres for functional fabrics – we show all possible textile aspects of sustainability for the industry."

Major new framework program on Day 2 – The SUSTAIN&INNOVATE Conference

PERFORMANCE DAYS together with trade magazine SAZ Sports&Fashion has organized the first International Sustainability Congress, to be presented in November 2019 for the first time and featuring a brand new format for the textile industry with the title SUSTAIN&INNOVATE. The lectures and discussion panels on Day 2 of the fair focus exclusively and comprehensively on the topic of sustainability. International guest speakers will address all aspects of sustainability in lectures and discussions in the EXPERT TALK AREA of the exhibition hall on November 14th, 2019. More detailed information on this program will be available in the coming weeks.

PERFORMANCE FORUM and FOCUS TOPIC WALL exclusively feature sustainable materials

PERFORMANCE DAYS takes its responsibility for sustainability very seriously and has made the decision – as announced in July – to present only sustainable materials in the curated PERFORMANCE FORUM. Also, to give visitors an overview of all aspects of sustainability, the FOCUS TOPIC WALL is dedicated to the topic. Visit the FOCUS TOPIC WALL to see the 24 most sustainable fabrics as selected by the jury as well as explanations of all areas of sustainability. Detailed explanations are provided for the key areas listed below:

Recycled fibres
Natural fibres from renewable resources
Recycling qualities
Bio-degradables or compostables
Microplastics
Product life cycles
Water conservation
Energy savings
Reduce CO2 emissions
Reduce chemicals

The current "state of the art" is highlighted in all of these topics as they pertain to the textile industry. Further important developments are also summarized at the FOCUS TOPIC WALL.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

The Or Foundation, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex launch Apparel Recovery Coalition, responding to impacts of post-consumer textile exports

adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, Inditex and The Or Foundation, with support from Circle Economy, unveiled the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC). The coalition will explore how producer responsibility systems can support circular pathways such as reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management in countries that receive large volumes of exported secondhand apparel.

NEUMÜHLE launches mono-material hoodie designed for textile recycling

With the Circular Mono Hoodie, Zurich-based label NEUMÜHLE introduces a new essential designed around a single-material principle. The textile construction is cotton throughout, right down to the sewing thread. Entirely free from elastane, the hoodie launches as a Limited Drop for CHF 139. Take-back, collection and existing recycling partnerships complement its circular design.

EIM evolves into a new Environmental Intelligence to measure the impact of textile production

¿Do we really know the environmental impact behind a garment? Answering this question remains one of the textile industry’s major challenges. Garment production involves multiple stages, from yarn and fabric to final finishing, carried out by different players across the supply chain. Accesing reliable data from each process, connecting it and establishing a common language are essential to understanding a product’s true impact.

Mayer & Cie. Global gears up tor ITMA Asia 2026

Mayer & Cie. Global will focus on mattress fabric production at ITMA Asia, taking place in Shanghai from 20 to 24 November 2026. The company will showcase one of its flagship models for this application: the OVJA 2.4 EM. Joining the mattress fabric specialist will be an OV 3.2 QCe, presented at ITMA Asia in a configuration for knitting double-face fabrics in E40. This gives the OV 3.2 QCe a combination of capabilities rarely found in the market. The German textile machinery manufacturer will also introduce its new portfolio strategy and share updates from its development team at its Albstadt headquarters.

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.

Vietnam’s market evolution creates new sourcing opportunities at VIATT 2027

As Vietnam’s textile industry continues to upgrade and scale, new opportunities are emerging for suppliers of advanced raw materials, design-led fabrics, production technologies, and sustainability solutions. The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return 24 – 26 February 2027, presenting a cross-sector platform – spanning apparel, home and technical categories – for overseas companies to connect with manufacturers, brands, sourcing offices, retailers, and industry buyers from Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond.