From the Sector

26 European business associations, representing a wide array of industries and businesses, express their full support for the swift ratification of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement:

Together, the associations’ members cover a significant portion of the total trade in goods and services of over 153 billion euros in 2024 between the EU and the Mercosur region, as well as the approximately 380 billion euros of mutual investment in our two regions in 2023. In this unprecedented time when the rules-based global order is being critically undermined, this free trade agreement represents a beacon in the EU’s diversification strategy. It is therefore a critical element in ensuring the EU’s long-term competitiveness. 

By 2040, according to DG Trade’s calculations, the agreement is expected to add 77.6 billion euros to the EU GDP and 9.4 billion euros to the Mercosur GDP. At the same time, the agreement will result in a 39% increase in EU exports to Mercosur and a 17% increase in Mercosur exports to the EU. 

The EU-Mercosur is a modern agreement, driven by modern principles. It will deliver increased market access and improved access to resources, while preserving key sectors in European domestic markets, diversifying secure supply chains, and fostering investments for both sides. It will also help to deepen the cooperation on sustainable development, in areas such as fighting climate change, preserving biodiversity, and advancing labour and social rights. 

European businesses wholeheartedly support the EU-Mercosur Agreement and call on the Council and European Parliament to swiftly ratify the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement (iTA) and the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA). To this end, it is key to streamline the ratification process and to ensure timely completion and avoid procedural delays. This is a crucial opportunity for Europe which will support growth and prosperity for one-fifth of the global economy – benefiting about 750 million people. 

The Mannheim-based retailer engelhorn announces it has expanded its collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger, with extensive updates to the brand’s shops in the “Mode im Quadrat” department stores in Mannheim and in Viernheim. At the heart of the redesign is Tommy Hilfiger’s latest store concept, which offers contemporary brand staging in a modern, customer-focused environment.

Fabian Engelhorn, CEO of engelhorn Group, highlights the significance of the collaboration: “On our 135th anniversary, we are showcasing what has always made us strong: close and trusting cooperation with our industry partners. In a time of great challenges in retail, this solidarity is more important than ever – and we are very grateful for it. Together, we have implemented new store designs in Mannheim and in Viernheim, with the Tommy Hilfiger space as a prime example. In mid-September, our first Gridx experience world in Luxembourg will mark another milestone full of inspiration and extraordinary shopping.”

“The partnership with engelhorn is an impressive demonstration of how strong brand expertise and local retail success can go hand in hand,” emphasizes Peter Kurre, Senior Vice President, Market Leader West, PVH Europe.

At “Mode im Quadrat” in Mannheim, the Tommy Hilfiger menswear space has been expanded to nearly 165 square meters in a prime ground-floor location that is characterized by maximum visibility and brand strength. With this step, engelhorn and Tommy Hilfiger once again underline their shared vision: to stage fashion in inspiring spaces and to delight customers through quality, innovation and collaboration.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition is set to return from 20 – 22 August 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), once again positioning itself as Asia’s preeminent platform for the global home and contract textile industry. With nearly 900 exhibitors representing 20 countries and regions, including eight new countries, the event will span 100,000 sqm across four halls, showcasing the latest cutting-edge products, market trends, and design concepts. The fair will offer a comprehensive fringe programme that aims to inspire, inform, and connect industry professionals. Focusing on sustainability and innovation that will shape the future of home textiles, the 2025 edition promises a vibrant exchange of ideas and opportunities to forge meaningful business partnerships in an increasingly competitive landscape.

To enhance sourcing efficiency and cultivate meaningful business connections, the fair will present 15+ dedicated product zones encompassing upholstery and sofa fabrics, bedding, curtains, sun protection, and more. These zones will be organised across four halls – 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, and 6.2 – with each hall spotlighting a particular category: Brand Fabrics Hall (5.1), Trendy Fabrics Hall (5.2), International Brands & Household Hall (6.1), and Furniture Fabrics Hall (6.2). Additionally, visitors will benefit from contract business services offered by exhibitors, providing access to specialised expertise and tailored solutions that can enhance their sourcing and operational efficiency.

The Editors Zone is a prominent area featuring a curated lineup of design-focused exhibitors presenting both domestic and international brands. 20 exhibitors will represent 53 high-end brands from 16 countries and regions – 23 of which are new. These brands primarily originate from Western Europe, the US, South Asia, and East Asia. Among the new exhibitors in the Editors Zone are Art Home Korea (Korea) (5.1H C18), Kaeen Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) (5.1H C08), and more. Notable names such as Beijing Ya Da (China), Rioma (Spain), and Raffinato (USA) will be present.

Home textile industry represented by global players 
This year, the fair will welcome international exhibitors from 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Belgium, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, the UK, and the US. Notably, eight new countries – Bulgaria, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Vietnam – are joining this diverse lineup.

On the domestic front, six major Chinese home textile pavilions – representing Haining, Huzhou, Linping Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Wujiang Suzhou, and Tongxiang – will showcase regional strengths and innovations.

To date, buyers from 63 countries and regions have pre-registered, with 19 buyer delegations (up 73% from the 2024 edition) confirmed from 23 countries including China, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Central Asia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador and more. 

Fringe programme: four new themes guiding the future of home textiles
Collectively emphasising the dynamic nature of the home textiles industry – NextGen, Palette, Connector and Go-Green – will focus on creativity and aesthetics in design, fostering collaboration through shared business strategies and market insights, showcasing innovations and advancements in textiles, and addressing sustainability trends and technological needs to align with market demands. Key highlights include:

• Future & Textile Zone (NextGen): where participants can discover future-focused materials, and AI trends lead by Ms Anja Bisgaard Gaede, CEO of SPOTT trends & business.
• Designer Tour and Guided Tour (Palette): Ms Camilla Rudnicki (Founder of Camilla Rudnicki Home & Interior, Denmark), offering curated walkthroughs of standout exhibits with visitor.
• Econogy [1] Forum (Go-Green): will address the dual challenges of sustainability and technological advancement. Leading experts from China, Hong Kong, Italy, and the US will share cross-disciplinary insights and case studies, focusing on how integrated advancements in technology, design, and business models can support a more sustainable textile industry.

Additional highlights include The Home Textiles x Interior Decoration Summit (Connector), will gather thought leaders to explore the transformation of the industry and its future direction. A series of market strategy seminars will provide valuable insights into regional developments, with featured sessions from Colombia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. 

Furthermore, the 2026 / 27 China Home Textile Trend Area (Palette) will offer an exclusive preview of upcoming domestic design and consumer trends. Rednote: Weaving the Ideal Home, Home Textile Trend Insights (Connector), and From Cross-Boundary to Boundless: The 11th Home Furniture & Textile TOP Business Matching (Connector) will also be taking place. 

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).

REMONDIS and H&M Group formed a joint venture, Looper Textile Co, an independent company that collects, sorts and enables reuse and recycling of textiles. Rhenus 4PL Solutions GmbH, a Rhenus Group company, is supporting the venture as REMONDIS' contractual partner by providing advanced logistics solutions – including the centralized coordination of transport flows, end-to-end supply chain visibility, and the implementation of a digital 4PL Control Tower tailored to the specific requirements of circular textile logistics.

Smart Solutions for Circular Textile Flows
Looper Textile Co. is an independent joint venture owned by H&M Group and REMONDIS. The company has set itself the goal of collecting and sorting used clothing and textiles for reuse and recycling in order to make the best possible use of these valuable resources. “The need for collection and sorting solutions has never been greater, and Looper is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change,” says Erik Lagerblad, CEO of Looper Textile Co.

“Used textiles are one of the largest material flows in the world. We rely on digital solutions and our expertise in the circular economy to efficiently coordinate the movement of collected volumes of 150 million pieces per year. Together, we want to take the sustainable use of textiles into the future,” commented Simon Bodmer, Head of Logistics Department at REMONDIS Recycling GmbH & Co. KG.

Enabling circular flows: Over 70 million garments sorted in 2024
Looper Textile Co. enables circular textiles through reuse and preparing for recycling. Operating out of two sorting facilities in Germany and one in Poland, while working with a global network of partners, Looper sorts into over 200 categories based on material and garment type. In 2023, the first year of operations, Looper helped extend the life of over 40 million garments, and over 72 million garments in 2024, 65% reuse, 25% recycling, and <10% responsibly disposed due to contamination. A commitment to innovation within Looper includes a pilot line for automated sorting using near-infrared and optical sensor technology, meeting the precise material requirements of emerging textile-to-textile recycling solutions.

Rhenus 4PL Control Tower for transparency in Looper’s supply chain
As part of the project, Rhenus 4PL Solutions GmbH is deploying its 4PL Control Tower – a central digital platform that enables real-time coordination and monitoring of all logistics activities across the supply chain. As a Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) provider, Rhenus assumes overarching responsibility for managing logistics partners and processes. The system has been specifically tailored to support the requirements of the circular economy, ensuring full transparency, optimized material flows, and efficient, data-driven supply chain operations. In a circular project like Looper Textile Co., the Control Tower plays a key role in enabling textile reuse and recycling by seamlessly coordinating all stakeholders and creating end-to-end visibility.

“Our 4PL Control Tower provides a central platform for the coordinated and integrated management of all logistics activities and increases visibility along the entire value chain. This is crucial to achieving Looper Textile Co.'s goals,” explains Chris Gerfertz, Managing Global Director at Rhenus 4PL Solutions.

The green fashion community is looking forward to the forthcoming INNATEX, which takes places from 19 to 21 July 2025. A unique variety of fashion labels will present styles for all generations, occasions and tastes at the international trade fair for sustainable textiles in Hofheim-Wallau, near Frankfurt am Main.

One highlight of the fair will be the trade association’s expert panel on the topic of shoplifting, provided by MUVEO GmbH and the Hessen Retail Federation in response to feedback from retailers. As well as the latest facts and figures, leading experts on the panel will discuss preventive strategies and solutions.

“The issue of shoplifting has been brought to us by various representatives from the retail sector,” says Alexander Hitzel, Project Manager of INNATEX. “There is a growing sense of insecurity among retailers. Our panel not only explores the current challenges, but also provides concrete preventive measures, legal frameworks and strategic approaches. The emotional aspect is another important factor: How do you keep your cool when the situation escalates?”

On the Saturday and Sunday, a presentation from Nina Lorenzen (Fashion Changers Berlin) and the Community Talks with moderator Miriam Smend (Greenstyle Munich) will take place. These smaller-scale panels will focus primarily on the DESIGN DISCOVERIES and their stories – curated labels, exhibiting for the first time, still at their new location in the foyer.

The regular exhibitor portfolio includes exciting brands such as Dawn Denim, Jan’n’June and Mela. Näz Fashion, Bask in the Sun and Two Thirds will be representing the international contingent. Babies and young children are catered for by brands such as Koel, with their barefoot shoes, and Sense Organics. Zamt Berlin celebrates INNATEX premiere. Zamt Berlin celebrates INNATEX's premiere, while VAUDE, Knowledge Cotton Apparel and Recolution are established regulars. Similarly, there is plenty for friends of the footwear sector with brands such as Grand Step Shoes, Genesis Sustainable Footwear and Ethletic.