Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics - Spring Edition 2025 is set to spotlight sustainability and innovation, with over 3,000 exhibitors spanning 190,000 square meter at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. As the textile industry accelerates its shift toward eco-friendly practices, the event will emphasize the use of recycled materials and bio-based fibers in functional textiles.
Two key zones will highlight these advancements. The Econogy Hub, following its successful debut at last year’s Autumn Edition, will return alongside the Econogy Finder, enabling exhibitors who pass the independent Econogy Check to showcase their green credentials. Meanwhile, Functional Lab will introduce The Cube, a dedicated space for on-trend functional fabrics.
Leading industry players champion sustainability
With growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, leading functional apparel brands are integrating sustainable materials such as recycled plastics and organic cotton. At the fair, notable exhibitors in Functional Lab will include:
3M China Limited: Showcasing Thinsulate Insulation, a warm, lightweight microfibre with a high warmth-to-thickness ratio. The series includes varying levels of recycled content and features such as stretch, water resistance, and flame resistance.
Henglun Textile (Vietnam) Co Ltd: A producer of knitted denim and print knitted fabrics with sustainability certifications from BCI, GRS, and OEKO-TEX.
Jackie Liu, APAC Business Leader of 3M China Limited, emphasized, “Sustainable development, environmental protection, and digitalization are key industry priorities. We integrate sustainable technology into our products, making them recyclable while utilizing renewable raw materials.”
Certification and innovation drive green progress
Beyond functional textiles, other major exhibitors will present sustainable solutions across the fairground, including:
Eastman Chemical Company: Displaying Naia Renew fiber, made from 60 per cent sustainably sourced wood pulp and 40 per cent certified recycled waste material.
Esquel Enterprises Ltd: Aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, Esquel repurposes leftover yarn and fabrics into accessories and packaging.
Grasim Industries Limited: A key producer of cellulosic fibers and sustainable fashion materials under the Aditya Birla Group.
Certification and traceability remain crucial for ensuring industry-wide sustainability. The Econogy Hub will host leading certifiers and testing institutes such as Ecocert, Hohenstein, and Testex AG. Marc Sidler, Group CMO at Testex AG, noted, “The fair has become much greener and more digital. Strong interest in our Made in Green certification underscores the demand for transparent supply chains.”
Co-organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT, and the China Textile Information Centre, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics - Spring Edition 2025 will run from 11-13 March. It will be held alongside Yarn Expo Spring, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles - Spring Edition, CHIC, and PH Value.
