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.

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

All About Sustainability, in hall 5.1, also hosts a dedicated forum space for fringe programme events. 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.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics

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. Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2019 is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.