#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2024-08-29

Integral highlights sustainable innovation at GREENEXT EXPO

Integral, the sustainable development garden of Esquel Group, a leading global knowledge-based innovation company, participated in the prestigious “GREENEXT EXPO” in Shanghai, unveiling its innovative achievements in sustainable development. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)’s advocacy of ESG principles, the event brought together industry leaders to explore the future of sustainable development and ESG practices.

Mr. Jiang Xiaohui (Leftmost), Executive Director of Integral Institute, led a panel discussion on ecological architecture design © 2024 GREENEXT

Throughout the two-day event, Integral underscored four key themes – innovation, quality employment, cultural heritage, and environmental sustainability, showcasing pioneering development models and practices that integrate sustainable principles into operations, drawing a diverse audience for engaging discussions.

On August 26, Mr. Jiang Xiaohui, Executive Director of Integral Institute, led a panel discussion on ecological architecture design, while Mr. Shi Yang, Director of Site Management and Project Management at Esquel Guilin, highlighted Integral’s sustainable architectural practices, emphasizing the application of circular design for resource efficiency and waste reduction. Additionally, Mr. Shi underscored the importance of a “people-centric” design philosophy in fostering employee well-being and operational efficiency.

Mr. Shi showcased the Fragrant Hill Natural Dye Botanic Garden (???) at Integral in the discussion, stating, “By creating Fragrant Hill Natural Dye Botanic Garden, Esquel is committed to biodiversity conservation, integrating innovative technologies into the research and application of natural dyes, and demonstrating a sustainable development solution combining traditional dyeing techniques with modern technology.”

In a keynote speech titled “Esquel’s Journey of Sustainable Development Transformation” on the afternoon of August 27, Ms. Helen Chen, General Manager of Esquel China, reflected on the Group’s exploration and achievements in sustainable development.

Ms. Helen Chen, General Manager of Esquel China © 2024 GREENEXT

She emphasized Integral’s role as a hub for innovation and knowledge sharing. Leveraging strategic partnerships with esteemed institutions, Integral offers immersive sustainable development experiences. Ms. Chen stated, “These innovative initiatives empower businesses for high-quality development and infuse new vitality and wisdom into society’s sustainable future.”

Integral has established long-term strategic partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Since 2023, Integral has also hosted mobile classrooms and practical teaching projects for several world-class universities, offering students valuable on-site learning opportunities and promoting in-depth integration of industry, academia, and research.

Moreover, Integral leverages Guilin’s status as a national historical and cultural city and an innovative demonstration area for sustainable development agendas. It organizes experiential learning activities for entrepreneurs, deepening participants’ understanding and acceptance of sustainable development to drive broader social impact.

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

HKUST & Esquel unveil five-year study: Empowering students for sustainable innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) has partnered with Esquel Enterprises Limited (“Esquel Group”) to launch a five-year study program that allows HKUST students to conduct biannual field research at the textile manufacturer’s 500,000-square-meter Sustainable Development Garden Integral, recognized as one of China’s top 20 sustainable development projects by the United Nations.

Official approval granted for Esquel Group’s new Sea Island Cotton variety "Yuan Loong 30"

Esquel Group Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed a new self-bred Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) variety named "Yuan Loong 30," which has been officially approved and designated by the 11th Main Crop Variety Assessment Committee of Xinjiang. With this addition, Esquel has now successfully bred and named a total of six Sea Island cotton varieties, including "Xinhai 33", "Xinhai 50", "Xinhai 55", "Xinhai 63", "Yuan Loong 17" and "Yuan Loong 30".

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.