#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2019-12-19

ISPO Munich 2020: Start of ISPO anniversary year

2020 is set to be a very special year for the sports industry as the global sports network ISPO will celebrate its 50th anniversary. ISPO Munich has been the highlight ever since 1970. The world’s leading sports trade fair has been providing an overview of the innovative products to emerge from the sports world, generating fresh and important impetus and driving the development of the industry for five whole decades.

The who’s who of the sports industry will be in attendance in Munich from January 26 to 29 under the motto “Be responsible. Be active. Be creative.” keen to discover the latest outdoor, winter sports and fitness trends and maintain existing contacts and network with new ones. In addition to the trade fair highlights, visitors will also be given an insight into further anniversary activities and events which are planned to take place throughout 2020.

Strong focus on sports industry’s future since 1970

ISPO Munich forecasts numerous anniversary highlights

Motto: Be responsible. Be active. Be creative.

ISPO Munich is the very first highlight in the sports calendar every single year. “For 50 years we have been creating valuable connections, bringing the world of sport together in one place for four days and passionately driving the development of sport”, says Markus Hefter, Exhibition Director for ISPO Munich. “Our goal is to create enthusiasm for sport in each of us and at the same time to create awareness for a sustainable approach to nature.” This approach is expressed in this year's motto “Be responsible. Be active. Be creative.”

Be responsible—Act consciously

Sustainability, whether in relation to production processes or materials, has been a long-running issue for sporting goods manufacturers for many years and is gaining more and more importance due to the social discussion. Anyone keen to find out more about various aspects of sustainable products, from their design and manufacture right through to their sale, should visit the Sustainability Hub. This will be located in Hall A2 where, for the first time ever, a concise overview of sustainably produced sports products will be provided in a separate, dedicated exhibition area.

Be active—Experiencing the world of sport

Visitors can find out how passion for sports can be raised and how the global lack of physical activity can be actively countered within the topic “Health, exercise and sport”. Numerous activities are planned, including both presentations and live demonstrations on stage. Yoga professionals, for example, will be demonstrating how people can inject energy into their everyday lives simply with some gentle exercise in the Body & Mind Village in Hall B3. As its name suggests, the Outdoor Snow & Safety Summit in Hall A3 will be all about responsible, careful approaches to outdoor activities whereby experts will be providing attendees with useful information regarding safety both on and off the slopes. Outside the realm of traditional sports, esports have developed into an important sector of the sports industry boasting a large global fan base and incredible growth figures. The East Entrance at ISPO Munich will be the perfect place to discover more about this new and popular sport and the opportunities it could hold for the sports industry and to even try out some of the games for yourself.

Be creative—Inspiring innovation

From the use of new technologies which make skis even faster and sportswear even lighter right through to the invention of new types of sports equipment, the industry’s innovative prowess knows no bounds. Numerous innovative new products have been unveiled and launched in recent years at ISPO Munich. The ISPO Brandnew Village in Hall B5 will be highlighting the up-and-coming trends expected to take the start-up scene by storm this year. The standout innovative products created by established sporting goods manufacturers will be showcased as part of the ISPO Award in Hall B1. Innovation requires inspiration, and this will be provided by the ISPO Academy with its extensive conference program at the West Entrance. Presentations will be given on various subjects, including digitalization and the Chinese sports market. All highlights from the individual areas and segments can be found online.

Service & Tickets

With the ISPO Munich App, all information about the trade fair is already available in advance. It also enables industry participants to stay in touch before, during and after the trade fair. ISPO Munich tickets for the anniversary year of 2020 are available online.

“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 LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Hong Kong strengthens position as Asia's leading sustainable fashion hub

Hong Kong's position as one of Asia's most prominent sustainable fashion hubs has been further strengthened, with the HKTDC ESG Index 2026 released by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) for the fashion industry rising to 65.5 in 2026, up 2.3 percentage points from 2025. The increase reflects growing industry confidence in Hong Kong as a premier platform for sustainable fashion development and ESG-related business opportunities.

Première Vision Paris expands innovation focus across fashion and beauty

From September 1–3, 2026, Première Vision Paris will bring together more than 900 exhibitors from across the global fashion value chain. This year's edition places a strong emphasis on Innovation-Tech, highlighting technologies and materials that are reshaping product development, manufacturing and sustainability.

Intertextile Apparel opens next week with strengthened focus on performance, sustainability, and innovation

Opening 25 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2026 prepares to welcome thousands of global industry players for three days of sourcing, networking, and trend forecasting. Spanning 240,000 sqm, this edition will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, providing a comprehensive platform for fairgoers to explore new products, market directions, and business opportunities across the entire apparel textile value chain – with high-potential segments noticeably magnified.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.