From the Sector

Monforts will exhibit at the upcoming Morocco Stitch & Tex 2025 exhibition which is taking place at the Casablanca International Fairground (OFEC) from May 13-15 at a critical juncture for the region’s textile manufacturers.

North African countries are currently looking to bolster their strong garment manufacturing operations with an expansion of textile production and finishing capacity, particularly with a view to exploiting the many benefits of the region’s close proximity to Europe and its cost and operational advantages. Morocco is already in the top ten of suppliers to the EU and has also had a free trade agreement with the USA since 2006. It further looks set to emerge as a beneficiary of the recently-proposed new tariffs on imports to the USA – if they eventually go ahead – compared to its competitors in Asia.

As a specialist in advanced technology for fabric finishing, Monforts is well positioned to help.

Industry standard
Montex stenters for fabric finishing are the industry standard, particularly in the sectors of denim and home textiles, providing a number of advantages in terms of production throughput and especially in energy efficiency and savings. The other key technologies in the company’s range include relaxation dryers, Thermex dyeing ranges, Monfortex compressive shrinking ranges and MontexCoat and coaTTex coating units.

In 2024, Monforts celebrated its 140th anniversary and its technologies are based on successive industry developments and know-how accummulated over many decades. The company was founded in 1884 in Mönchengladbach in Germany where it is still headquartered and where its Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) for fully industrial testing and trials for customers is also situated. Monforts machines have been manufactured at the company’s plant in Austria since 1982.

Retrofitting
Textile companies making major capital investments in new manufacturing lines rely on durability and it’s for this reason that there are currently an estimated 2,000 Monforts machines in operation worldwide – some of which were first installed over 30 years ago. This doesn’t mean, however, that they can’t benefit from many of the advances in performance and automation that have subsequently been made by Monforts. The retrofitting of specific modules with new control and drive technology – going far beyond the basic replacement of spare parts – can have a significant impact on the performance of an existing line.

Double-digit increases
“We have a strong presence in North Africa, particularly in Morocco, Algeria and Egypt, which remain key markets for us,” says Monforts Area Sales Manager Achim Gesser who will be at the show at stand D4 with specialists from Unionmatex, the company’s regional partner. “Imports of European textile machinery to Morocco have already been increasing in double-digit figures over the past few years and some exciting projects are currently underway there.”

These include plans to construct Africa’s largest textiles and garment manufacturing city in Morocco based on 568 factories and representing a planned investment of US$2 billion.

“There has been a lot of interest, in particular from Turkish textile manufacturers, in expanding their operations to North Africa and with over 600 line installations already established in Turkiye we have built up a lot of close relationships with the major textile manufacturers there,” Gesser adds. “We expect a lot of these companies to be at this major exhibition in Morocco, especially as it is covering the complete supply chain – from machinery and fibre and yarn suppliers to finished garment specialists. The Moroccan government’s Vision 2025 programme is targeting earnings of $10 billion for the clothing and garment sector at an average annual growth rate of 15% over the next five years and we are keen to help companies looking to contribute to this unprecedented growth.”

RE&UP announced a new partnership with Marchi & Fildi to co-develop a new generation of premium recycled cotton yarns. The collaboration – currently at pre-industrial stage – combines RE&UP’s cutting-edge textile-to-textile recycling technology with Marchi & Fildi’s deep expertise in sustainable yarn development and manufacturing.

With the goal of reaching all levels of the textile value chain, the project represents a key milestone in the evolution of circular innovation. The recycled cotton fibers used in the initiative come from RE&UP’s fully integrated process, which transforms post-consumer waste into high-quality raw materials ready for industrial application.

RE&UP and Marchi & Fildi bring together a powerful blend of innovation and excellence. This collaboration is driven by a shared belief: that circularity must go hand in hand with uncompromising quality. By combining RE&UP’s breakthrough recycling technology with Marchi & Fildi’s expertise in premium yarn development, the two companies are laying the groundwork for scalable, high-performance solutions that can elevate the entire textile value chain.

Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd and Concept N Strategies has announced partnership to introduce ‘Sporttech pavilion’ – a dedicated area showcasing sports and activewear textiles and accessories under Techtextil India 2025. It is a premier platform dedicated to the rapidly expanding sports and fitness textiles at Techtextil India 2025. This strategic alliance aims to provide a major boost to the segment aiming to showcase innovations in speciality fabrics, yarns, sportswear and gear, high-performance textiles and sustainable materials, generating remarkable opportunities for the entire textile universe, especially, for sportswear brands.

The Indian sports and fitness textiles sector are transforming remarkably, driven by the evolving consumer lifestyles, advanced material innovations and growing government support. Amidst this backdrop, this partnership marks a significant leap of growth for the specialised textiles segment, which is envisioned as a game-changer in the Indian sports and activewear market.

The demand for cutting-edge moisture-wicking fabrics, compression wear, breathable textiles and sustainable sports and fitness fabrics are at an all-time high. Rising health consciousness consumers and increasing appetite for high-performance sportswear, are also contributing to the growing demand. This makes Techtextil India 2025 the perfect launchpad for this specialised segment. This collaboration seamlessly aligns with the growing push for self-reliance in textile manufacturing, bundled with the Indian government’s focus on technical textile innovations and expanding domestic production capabilities. Industry leaders are recognising this as the perfect time to showcase national innovations in fitness textiles on the global stage of Techtextil India.

Industry figures highlight growth of this segment:

• The Indian sportswear market: valued at USD 10.2 million in 2024
• Expected to reach USD 16.6 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 5.1% during 2025-2033*1 according to a recent report by IMARC Group.
• Global sportswear market size was valued at USD 206.64 billion in 2024.
• Expected to reach USD 350.45 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.84% during the forecast period.

This segment will see an expansion of the exhibitor profile with inclusion of:

• Sports textile material producers including compression fabrics, breathable textiles, suppliers of sustainable and recycled textiles suitable for sports equipment and gear manufacturers
• Producers of sports and fitness equipment with an emphasis on textile-based products like: yoga mats, fitness bands, straps, & etc
• Accessories and footwear manufacturers for products like gloves, bands headgear and socks using innovative materials; manufacturers and brands showcasing new textile technologies in sports footwear and performance shoes
• Smart textile manufacturers producing materials embedded with sensors for fitness tracking; chemical suppliers for sports textiles
• Producers of finishing chemicals that enhance performance e.g. anti-odour, UV protection, water-repellent coatings
• Manufacturers of various fitness textiles and activewear materials and textile machinery manufacturers, equipment suppliers, suppliers of technology for fabric testing, dyeing, and finishing for sportswear and more.

With such an extensive product showcase, the expo aims to attract visitors from major sportswear retailers and distributors, product developers, fitness enthusiasts, fashion designers, research and development professionals, textile institutes, sourcing specialists and other professionals from the textile spectrum looking for the next big breakthrough in the segment. The dedicated space for Sporttech Pavilion will serve as a powerful business catalyst connecting material innovators, sportswear brands and textile manufacturers with national and international sourcing leaders.

With a clear focus on sustainability, Barmag, a subsidiary of the Swiss Oerlikon Group, is presenting comprehensive solutions from its product brands Oerlikon Barmag and Oerlikon Neumag for DTY and carpet yarn production at the Morocco Stitch & Tex Expo in Casablanca. From May 13 to 15, trade visitors can talk to experts from Barmag and the joint venture BB Engineering (BBE) at the Unionmatex booth (booth B4) to get an idea of the portfolio of the chemical fiber machine manufacturer.

Sustainable and efficient – the production of DTY yarns
Oerlikon Barmag offers a wide range of DTY machine configurations for the efficient and sustainable production of high-quality textured yarns made of various polymers – from polyester and polyamide to polypropylene, PLA and PTT. The modular machines – whether manual or automatic – produce yarns for excellent downstream processing at optimal OPEX costs.

Fancy yarns increasingly in demand
The demand for textiles with special characteristics is continuously increasing. For the production of these effect yarns, such as cotton-like DTY, linen-like DTY or wool-like DTY, Oerlikon Barmag offers a variety of processes and additional components. With its high-quality and flexible technology as well as its detailed knowledge of the yarn path and the required parameter settings, Oerlikon Barmag is the ideal partner for the successful and flexible production as well as the continuous further development of these specialty yarns.

Extended product range for carpet yarns
Thanks to its comprehensive knowledge of all relevant technologies in manmade fiber spinning, Oerlikon Barmag is the only manufacturer worldwide that can expand its range for the production of carpet yarns. The system concept, based on a POY and texturing process, is designed for the carpet and home textile sector and produces particularly soft and bulky polyester threads with BCF-like properties. The aim is to produce yarns with a titer of up to 1300dtex and over 1000 filaments, such as 1300dtex f1152, 660dtex f1152 and 990dtex f768. The machine concept includes the well-known WINGS HD POY winder and the eAFK Big-V texturing machine.

Innovative bicomponent BCF yarn for the carpet market
Quality, efficiency and performance – with its latest development in the field of bicomponent yarns for carpet production, Barmag's product brand Oerlikon Neumag is meeting the carpet market's demand for innovative BCF yarns. The new BICO-BCF yarn is characterized by a richer and higher volume and simultaneously significantly reduces the raw material consumption during carpet manufacturing.

VarioFil® – versatile compact spinning system for diverse applications and specialties
The VarioFil® system from BBE is ideal for a broad range of products, whether it be carpets, upholstery fabrics, fashion, sports, seat belts or airbags. This compact turnkey spinning line is particularly suitable for producers of small batches or specialized products. It flexibly processes various polymers such as PET, PP, PA 6, PA 6.6 and PBT. In combination with Oerlikon Barmag texturing machines, a wide range of textile standard yarns as well as textured yarns with BCF-like properties can be produced.

The VarioFil® R+ enables the direct recycling and processing of PET bottle flakes and PET waste from the start-up process into POY. This sustainable machine concept offers a high degree of product flexibility, including the production of spun-dyed yarn.

JeTex® air texturing offers a versatile product portfolio
BB Engineering also offers flexible solutions for the subsequent texturing of yarns. The JeTex® air texturing system perfectly complements the Oerlikon Barmag DTY systems and expands the product portfolio to include high-quality ATY based on POY and FDY for various textile applications. The centerpiece of the system is the texturing box developed by BB Engineering, which ensures gentle yarn treatment with reliable texturing effects and production efficiency.

“From waste to value” with VacuFil and Visco
BBE's VacuFil PET recycling system transforms textile waste into high-quality rPET melt. The technology is based on decades of experience in extrusion, filtration and spinning and combines gentle large-area filtration with targeted IV control. VacuFil processes various input materials, from bottle flakes to production waste and post-consumer waste. The patented Visco+ component removes volatile contaminants and automatically regulates the IV. The recycled melt can be added to the main melt stream, pelletized into chips or fed directly back into the spinning mill. The VacuFil system is modular and flexibly adaptable to customer needs.

Electrically conductive prints on textiles are the basis for functional textiles with electronic functions, so-called smart textiles. Conductive inks and binders must be well matched to ensure permanent conductivity even under external mechanical influences such as stretching, pressure and bending. The DITF are working on new ink formulations that meet these requirements.

Sports, fashion and the automotive industry - textiles with integrated electronics are used in many areas of everyday life. Textile-integrated electronics help monitor human vital parameter and performance data, and enable the fashion industry to integrate interactive elements into clothing. It is used in a variety of ways in the automotive industry, where it enhances passenger comfort and safety.

The most common conductive components used in textiles to date are wrapped yarns and tension-relieved conductive yarns arranged in loops. They ensure a reliable flow of electricity even in textiles subject to high mechanical stress. Their production is complex. As a result, they are expensive and only partially suitable for the mass market. Printing conductive structures on textile surfaces using screen printing or chromojet technology, a digital spray printing technique, is much more cost-effective.

However, there are several challenges in producing printed conductive textiles. One of the biggest difficulties is ensuring the conductivity of the printed materials while maintaining the flexibility and softness of the textile. In addition, the durability of the prints can deteriorate, especially with frequent washing or mechanical stress. Stretching or movement can cause the prints to break or tear. Electrical conductivity is often impaired even under low mechanical stress, when the stretching of the conductive layer is not reversible. The adhesion between the print application and the textile can weaken with repeated stretching. This results in poor long-term stability. The integration of electronic elements into textiles is also often hampered by the fact that the connection between the conductive elements and the electronic components is prone to failure.

The DITF are working on new solutions to address these challenges. The Color- and Functional-Printing Working Group is working on new ink and paste formulations based on conductive particles and elastic binders. The aim is to improve the elongation behavior of prints while maintaining good electrical conductivity. The elastic properties of the binder are largely determined by the auxiliaries and additives used. The DITF determine the interactions between these components and derive knowledge for the formulation of new elastic and highly conductive inks.

The hysteresis properties of new ink formulations are of central importance. Hysteresis refers to the ability of a material to maintain its properties under repeated strain or stress. Well-matched hysteresis supports the conductivity of printed structures even under continuous mechanical stress. Suitable materials can adapt to the movement of the textile without compromising the conductive properties.

The goal of the research team at the DITF is to expand the knowledge of the interactions between conductive particles and binders, between additives and textile auxiliaries, in order to produce highly conductive inks and pastes. This will make it possible to produce the best possible and most resistant print coatings for different textile substrates and different applications, enabling reliable conductivity.

Under these conditions, the costs for mass production of textile electronics can be reduced.

The next-generation card TC 30i has earned popularity in main textile markets by achieving proven results in real-world operating conditions – for cotton yarn and for man-made fibers. It is suitable for a uniquely broad range of applications, including fine count (with the TC 30Fi model) and recycling (with the TC 30Ri model). All orders from the last few months are now being installed, so that the TC 30i can demonstrate ist positive impact on productivity and quality at many more mills worldwide

The TC 30i is designed to maximize process efficiency and product quality for spinning. Due to its intelligent, self-optimizing functions it achieves consistent results from any raw material while reducing or eliminating the demand for operator intervention. The machine has already proven up to 40 % higher productivity in man-made fiber applications. In recent trials with cotton applications, customers in Indonesia and Türkiye have achieved outstanding results, too.

The T-GO automated gap optimizer improves quality by enabling the smallest and most precise carding gaps – far beyond anything possible with manual settings. Second, the TC 30i maximizes quality and productivity by increasing the number of active flats without sacrificing flexibility in the pre- and post-carding areas due to the larger cylinder diameter. And third, the TC 30i minimizes cotton waste because it features a new and highly precise mote knife at the first licker-in. Customers can automatically optimize and adjust the mote knife settings to meet their specific needs. Combined with the impact of our WASTECONTROL feature, this significantly reduces material waste.

Big benefits for Budi Texindo Prakarsa
Budi Texindo Prakarsa is a leading spinning mill based in Indonesia, specialized in the production of premium cotton yarn with an annual capacity of 80,000 spindles. In their recent trials with the TC 30i, they produced 100 % cotton yarn (Ne 20 to Ne 30) via ring-combed processes. Compared to the previous benchmark, productivity increased by up to 30 % with the same IPI quality level. At the same time, energy and air consumption per kilogram have been reduced.

Measurable advantages for Mem Tekstil
In Türkiye, Mem Tekstil is one of the largest integrated manufactures in the textile sector. Their products range from knitting, dyeing, rotation and digital printing to ring spinning, open-end spinning and vortex spinning. With Trützschler's TC 30i they produced a yarn (Ne 20) made from 100 % cotton soft waste via open-end (OE) spinning. Its engineers tested the TC 30i because they are considering upgrading older card models from a Swiss competitor. Our machine has increased productivity from 70 kilograms per hour to 160 kilograms per hour with the same or better quality. This shows once again that modernization can be worthwhile.

Super results for SAFTEKS
SAFTEKS is another Trützschler customer located in Türkiye. The company produces cotton yarns with a monthly production capacity of 2100 tons. It uses OE spinning to manufacture 100 % cotton yarn (Ne 20) from 40 % virgin cotton and 60 % cotton soft waste. Swapping its cards for the TC 30i made it possible for SAFTEKS to increase its output capacity from 70 tons per day to 85 tons per day. That is a productivity boost of more than 20 %, with the same level of quality.

Promising results for PT Dhanar Mas Concern in man-made fiber applications
PT Dhanar Mas Concern (Danar Mas) is an Indonesian company dedicated to the production of high-quality textile products. The company specializes in spinning yarns and manufacturing greige fabrics. They use our TC 30Si card, which is specially customized for man-made fibers. In recent trials with the TC 30Si, Danar Mas produced a ring carded polyester yarn (Ne 20 to Ne 30) and a viscose yarn (Ne 30 to Ne 40) via vortex spinning. In both applications, the next-generation card produced 125 kg/h of material at the same IPI quality level, up to 40 % more than the company produces with its current benchmark.

Organized by İTKİB FuarcılıkA.Ş. in collaboration with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), Texhibition Istanbul 2025 once again proved itself as one of the leading international trade fairs for fabrics, yarns, and textile accessories. From March 5–7, 2025, the Istanbul Expo Center transformed into a dynamic meeting point for textile professionals worldwide presenting for fabrics, yarns, and textile accessories. More than 500 exhibitors presented their latest collections and technologies, 22.623 visitors from 106 countries—spanning Europe, North and South America, and Asia—seized the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore new business opportunities. European visitors have increased by 30 % compared to September 2024.

The denim sector established itself on its own stage in the Blue-Black Denim Hall 7,
Workshops, creative installations, and fashion presentations, such as the Blue Black Denim Show, made this section one of the most vibrant areas of the fair. Artistic and innovative denim collections showcased the latest developments in the denim industry, including metallic-shimmering fabrics and vintage-reworked denim.
Since the introduction of this segment, Texhibition Istanbul has recorded a significant increase in visitors from the EU, while demand for Turkish denim fabrics has grown considerably.

A central theme at Texhibition Istanbul 2025 was the sustainable transformation of the Turkish textile industry. More and more companies are embracing eco-friendly processes, energy-efficient production methods, and innovative recycling solutions.

Türkiye’s textile and apparel sector is a global leader with an export volume of $32.1 billion. Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat emphasized that Türkiye is among the world's top six textile exporters and the EU’s third-largest supplier. Texhibition Istanbul strengthens the industry by showcasing innovation and design expertise on a global scale. In response to rising costs and global competition, Türkiye successfully focuses on sustainability, technology, and market differentiation.

The 2nd edition of Best of Bangladesh in Europe is set to take place on April 17-18, 2025, at Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. Organized by Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) and powered by PDS Limited, the event is held in association with The City Bank PLC, Bangladesh, and KDS Group, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

Visitors will have the chance to discover 50 leading companies across 8 industries, each presenting innovative solutions in sustainability, circularity, and transparency. Across the two days, the event will feature a grand opening ceremony, insightful panel discussions, dynamic exhibitions, and inspiring fashion shows, offering a comprehensive glimpse into Bangladesh’s evolving business landscape.

The event will also feature 40+ global speakers and expects to welcome over 1,500 participants, making it a landmark platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and partnership building.

Exhibitors: 4A Yarn Dyeing Ltd, Brain Station 23, BJIT Group, Bondstein Technologies Ltd, City Bank PLC, Bangladesh, Centrotex Ltd, Cyclo, Delmas Apparels Pvt Ltd. Designer Fashion Ltd. Fakir Group, KDS Group, Knit Asia Ltd, Leatherina Pvt Ltd, Mapped In Bangladesh (MiB), Nourish Feeds Limited, Noize Jeans, Paddock's Jeans, Pacific Jeans Ltd, PDS Limited, Pacific Knitex Ltd. Paragon Group, Reverse Resource, Rising Group, Shin Shin Apparels Ltd, Shangu Tex Ltd. Turjo Tex Ltd, Tarango.

Source Fashion, Europe’s leading responsible sourcing show, opens next Tuesday 18th February, at Olympia London, welcoming buyers, retailers, and sourcing professionals from around the world. Running until 20th February 2025, the show will host hundreds of makers and manufacturers from over 20 key sourcing regions, including Turkey, Taiwan, Ethiopia, Egypt, China, India, the UK, France, Hong Kong, and Portugal.

With leading retailers and brands such as ASOS, Barbour, Boohoo, Flannels, Frasers Group, French Connection, GANT, Hawes & Curtis, Jaded London, John Lewis, Lipsy, Lucy & Yak, ME+EM, Marks & Spencer, Moss Bros, Mothercare, New Look, Next, Oliver Bonas, Primark, Saraha, Toast, The Very Group, Whistles, already pre-registered, Source Fashion is set to be a must-attend event for businesses looking to source responsibly and discover innovative solutions to industry challenges.

A Platform for Innovation and Sustainability
The three-day event goes beyond sourcing, offering a dynamic content programme across two dedicated stages: The Source Catwalk Stage and the Source Debates Stage.

Visitors can explore the latest trends and insights into responsible fashion with The Source Catwalk Show – taking place three times daily, showcasing curated womenswear looks built from exhibitors’ collections, highlighting trends such as Circus Play, Romance, Plant Power, and Hyper Tactile.

Exhibitor Highlights
Source Fashion will feature an impressive line-up of responsible manufacturers from around the globe with the spotlight on the UK, Egypt, India, and Portugal. Highlights include:

• Dee Kay Knitwear (UK) – A leading supplier of high-quality wholesale knitwear.
• YOKA YO (UK) - Helping take designs from initial concept through to final product development.
• The Natural Fibre Company (UK) – An award-winning yarn manufacturer working with rare breeds and natural fibres.
• National Weaving (UK) – Specialists in premium woven and printed labels, with a focus on sustainability The Fashion Incubator (Egypt) – A sustainable fashion manufacturer specialising in knit, woven, sportswear, and swimwear.
• Desert Crafts Design Studio (India) – A womenswear manufacturer focused on casual and resort wear.
• WonderRaw (Portugal) – Experts in luxury blanks and fully customised garments made from 100% organic cotton.

Headline Designer: Stuart Trevor
Scottish-born fashion designer Stuart Trevor, founder of All Saints and sustainability advocate, is set to headline the Source Catwalk. After years mentoring brands with a positive social and environmental impact, Trevor’s latest label, STUART TREVOR, focuses on sustainable fashion made from repurposed materials. Trevor set out to create the world’s most sustainable brand with a mission to make buying sustainable products easier, more fun and create non-destructive clothing from other peoples’ waste. His designs will take centre stage at the Source Catwalk, demonstrating how fashion can be both stylish and sustainable.

The Source Catwalk also offers a diverse and informative programme of conversations with thought leaders, retail case studies and challenging panel discussions. Now located on the balcony, presenting leading voices within ethical fashion.

• Source Debates – A new stage for this year, providing an opportunity to voice thoughts and get involved in the conversations - tackling the industry biggest questions and challenges, from sustainability and circularity to transparency and the future of fashion sourcing.

Speaker Highlights

Source Fashion’s comprehensive speaker programme will bring together industry leaders, sustainability experts, and fashion innovators. Key sessions include:

• ‘From Fast Fashion to Circularity’ (Source Catwalk, Tuesday, 11:30 AM) – A discussion on how brands can shift towards sustainable models while competing in the fast-fashion landscape, featuring leaders from Vivo Footwear, Neem London, YOU Underwear, and Johnston’s of Elgin.
• ‘A collaborative journey from farm to fashion’ (Source Catwalk, Tuesday, 1:30pm) - explores how The Natural Fibre Company and John Smedley have forged a groundbreaking partnership, transforming heritage craftsmanship and sustainable innovation into a powerful success story.
• ‘Tech and sustainability: why data holds the key for a greener future’ (Source Catwalk, Tuesday 2:10pm) - Linda Pimmeshofer from Insider Trends explores how data-driven innovation can revolutionise fashion’s fight against emissions, with global examples and a vision for a tech-enabled future
• ‘The Urgency of Transparency’ (Source Catwalk, Wednesday, 11:00 AM) – A fireside chat with Andrew Xeni, Founder of Nobody’s Child and Fabacus, on why transparency is critical in building consumer trust.
• ‘Ecosystem Thinking in Fashion: Redesigning for Regeneration’ (Source Catwalk, Wednesday, 2:10 PM) - Safia Minney MBE, Founder of Fashion Declares is joined by Dr Sri Ram, Founder - Bags of Ethics, Supreme Group, Matthias Knappe, Head of Unit, International Trade Centre (ITC) and Nick Reed, Founder, Neem London for to explore scaling circular practices, adopting regenerative models, and building stronger supply chain relationships to inspire action and meaningful change.
• ‘A Clothing Company That Doesn’t Produce Clothes’ (Source Catwalk, Wednesday, 1:30 PM) – Stuart Trevor in conversation about his upcycling-focused brand and the future of circular fashion.
• Designing tomorrow: Is speculative thinking the key to fashion retail's future? (Source Catwalk, Wednesday, 1:30 PM) - Geraldine Wharry, Fashion Futurist, Trend Atelier on speculative design.
• ‘Taking the Lead When Legislation Falls Short’ (Source Debates, Thursday, 11:00 AM) – This session, with Safia Minney MBE, looks at how businesses can drive sustainability initiatives beyond Government mandates.
• Can fashion brands embrace sustainability without the fear of being perfect? (Source Debates, Thursday, 11:30 AM) - Jonny Rowe and Joe Russell, Co-Founders, Land of Plenty look at encouraging small wins, while questioning the common fears surrounding building out sustainable practices and the role storytelling and branding to help overcome these.

As part of an ongoing collaboration, The International Trade Centre, under the UK Trade Partnerships Programme, will showcase ethical suppliers from Ethiopia, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Nepal, providing visitors with an exclusive look at sustainable sourcing options from these regions.

Recent shifts in consumer attitudes in China show a willingness to invest more in quality and a growing emphasis on product functionality. This has been well noted by forward-thinking companies across the home textile supply chain. In addition to the latest related offerings in upholstery, towels, carpets, rugs, curtains and many more, smart bedding is set to emerge as a key trend at the upcoming Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition. From 11 to 13 March 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, visitors can explore these trends and discover the latest innovations, alongside specialised pavilions and a diverse fringe programme centred on sustainability, and smart bedding aiding sleep quality.

Driven by global population growth, rising disposable incomes, and evolving lifestyles, the smart bedding market, encompassing products such as smart mattresses and sleep tracking technology, is projected for substantial growth. The global market for smart mattresses is expected to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.1%, with innovative bedding also increasingly sought after at Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles.  

Comprehensive sourcing experience awaits buyers
Notable suppliers are set to gather to showcase diversified products that meet modern market requirements. Highlighted exhibitors include:

• Bedding: 3M China Limited, Coolist Life Technology Co Ltd, Jihua 3542 Textile Co Ltd, Yantai North Home Textile Co Ltd
• Down: Shanghai Donglong Home Textile Products Co Ltd, Liuqiao Group Co Ltd
• Mattress: Fujian Generous Sleeping Technology Co Ltd, Hui Zhou Wah Shing Company Ltd
• Towelling: Nantong No.3 Towel Factory Co Ltd, Sunvim Group Co Ltd
• Others: Tela’s Design Lda (Textile design), Shinwon Felt Co Ltd (wall)

With a strong domestic contingent, the show will welcome eight major Chinese home textile pavilions, representing various sectors within the industry. These pavilions include the Nantong and Huzhou Pavilions showcasing bedding fabrics and textile design; Qingdao Pavilion and Zhejiang Quilting Craft Association, specialising in bedding and pet products; Zhejiang Down Association Pavilion, focusing on down comforter products; Gaoyang Pavilion, presenting towelling and home products; Wool Spinning Association, showcasing coral fleece, flannels and other blankets; and Zhenze Pavilion, exhibiting silk bedding.

Fringe programme highlighting innovations in bedding and other home textiles
In addition to a robust lineup of exhibitors, Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles will host various fringe events to keep attendees informed about emerging developments, trends, and key insights, including Sleeping Aid Summit 2025 and Green and Low Carbon Forum. Other notable events at the show include the award presentations and launch ceremonies for ‘Zhenze Silk Cup’ and ‘Zhang Jian Cup’.

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition 2025 will be held concurrently with Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition, Yarn Expo Spring, CHIC and PH Value at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. The fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).