As the global textile and fashion industry continues to prioritise eco-conscious innovation, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition is set to reinforce its commitment to sustainability. Taking place from 2 to 4 September 2025 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), the fair will showcase a wide spectrum of green solutions, including biodegradable fibres, waterless dyeing techniques, and verified certifications, offering visitors a comprehensive view of sustainable innovation across the textile value chain.

With fashion contributing around 10% of global carbon emissions each year, the path to meaningful decarbonisation remains a formidable challenge. Despite many brands committing to net zero by 2050, implementing sustainable transformation is complex. Intertextile Apparel has long served as a central hub for industry change, enabling stakeholders to discover the latest in eco-friendly advancements and regulatory trends.

At the heart of this year’s sustainability drive is the Econogy Hub, a specialised showcase for suppliers of green products and services. Building on the success of its debut in 2024, the zone will welcome returning pioneers such as Bureau Veritas, Hohenstein, GOTS, IDFL and TESTEX. New participants, including bluesign technologies ag (Switzerland), Control Union World Group (Netherlands), and Itochu Corporation (Japan), will expand the zone’s global scope.

Speaking at last year’s fair, Marc Sidler, Group CMO at Testex AG, reflected: “Intertextile is the most important apparel fabrics fair on the planet. The fair has become much greener… what remains unchanged is the human interaction – this is the essence of trade fairs. We’ve seen strong visitor interest in the Made in Green label, which offers transparent supply chain information to end consumers.”

Sustainability efforts will extend beyond the Econogy Hub through the Econogy Check, an independent verification system aligned with over 100 global standards. Exhibitors passing the Check gain listing in the Econogy Finder, an online directory that enhances buyer transparency and simplifies sustainable sourcing.

Returning exhibitors who have previously benefited from the Finder include Covation Biomaterials (USA), Fidlock (Germany), Henglun Textile (Vietnam), Birla Cellulose (India), Lenzing (Austria), Reda (Italy), Taijin Textile (Korea), and Toray Industries (Japan). Birla Cellulose’s Country Head, Gunjan Tarika, commented: “Sustainability has become crucial. Most buyers want sustainable products… measurable in their environmental impact, such as carbon reduction and water conservation.”

The Econogy Finder has also gained recognition among first-time visitors. Ricky Osborne, Managing Director of Jatu Clothing & PPE, shared: “The Econogy Check offers verification for our clients who usually require independent confirmation of sustainability claims. It saves us time and resources while building trust between traders.”

Organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT, and the China Textile Information Centre, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition will run concurrently with Yarn Expo Autumn, CHIC, and PH Value. Together, these events will gather the entire apparel textile value chain under one roof in Shanghai this September.

Further reading

Sustainability focus at Intertextile

Intertextile Apparel Autumn returns to Shanghai

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