With the fashion sector accounting for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions annually[1], achieving decarbonisation targets remains a pressing challenge throughout the entire textile supply chain. While many fashion companies have pledged to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050[2], the path to sustainable transformation remains complex. Intertextile Apparel has long served as a catalyst for industry evolution, providing a vital platform for key players to stay informed about the latest trends, technological advancements, and regulatory developments shaping eco-friendly products and solutions.
A key initiative of the fair, the Econogy Hub fosters dialogue and provides a specialised platform for sustainable product and service suppliers, empowering buyers to navigate the movement towards circularity and prepare for a greener future. Following its successful debut with nearly 40 exhibitors at the previous Autumn Edition, industry leaders such as Bureau Veritas Group, Hohenstein, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), IDFL Laboratory and Institute, and TESTEX have already confirmed their return to the zone. Additionally, bluesign technologies ag (Switzerland), Control Union World Group (the Netherlands), and Itochu Corporation (Japan) will make their Econogy Hub debuts, joining an impressive array of international exhibitors.
Speaking from their Econogy Hub booth at last year’s Autumn Edition, Mr Marc Sidler, Group CMO at Testex AG, remarked: “Intertextile is the most important apparel fabrics fair on the planet. The fair has become much greener, you can also see that at our booth, but 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.”
Beyond the Econogy Hub, sustainable offerings will be featured across the fairground – notably through exhibitors who pass the Econogy Check, an independent verification tool aligned with over 100 globally recognised certifications and standards covering sustainable supply chains, materials & processes, and strategy & innovation. This comprehensive assessment enhances transparency and helps streamline procurement for buyers prioritising eco-credentials.
At the previous Autumn Edition, exhibitors from around the world who passed the Check leveraged their inclusion in the online directory Econogy Finder, to demonstrate their sustainability commitments and attract discerning buyers seeking traceable, environmentally responsible solutions. With several of them set to return to this year’s fair, renowned global innovators such as Covation Biomaterials LLC (USA), Fidlock GmbH (Germany), Henglun Textile (Vietnam), Birla Cellulose (India), Lenzing (Austria), Reda (Italy), Taijin Textile (Korea), and Toray Industries (Japan) used the Finder to help facilitate in-person connections.
Exhibiting at the same edition in 2024, Mr Gunjan Tarika, Country Head of Birla Cellulose, said: “For years, our company has been dedicated to empowering a green future. Intertextile is a good platform for us to showcase products and meet more business partners and potential clients. Over the years sustainability has become crucial. Most of the buyers want sustainable products, that’s the key thing. Apart from being competitive in price and quality, buyers are also looking into products which are measurable in their environmental impact, such as carbon reduction and water conservation.”
The Econogy Finder serves as a quick and reliable way to identify genuine sustainable products from trusted sources. First-time visitor Mr Ricky Osborne, Managing Director of Jatu Clothing & PPE, noted its value last autumn: “For me, the first sourcing concern is sustainability. 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. My experience at the fair has been fruitful and exceeded expectations.”
The fair is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre. It will take place alongside Yarn Expo Autumn, CHIC and PH Value at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), with the venue playing host to the entire apparel textile value chain. For more details on this fair, please visit: www.intertextileapparel.com.
Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition will be held from 2 to 4 September 2025.
[1] “Fast Fashion and Emissions: What’s the Link?”, August 2024, earth.org, https://earth.org/fast-fashion-and-emissions-whats-the-link/ (retrieved May 2025).
[2] “Sustainability goals of top 10 global fashion brands”, February 2024, Apparel Resources, https://apparelresources.com/business-news/sustainability/sustainability-goals-top-10-global-fashion-brands/ (retrieved May 2025).
Other upcoming shows:
Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics / Yarn Expo Shenzhen
11 – 13 June 2025, Shenzhen (Futian)
Yarn Expo Autumn
2 – 4 September 2025, National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai
Cinte Techtextil China
3 – 5 September 2025, Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai
Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies
26 – 28 February 2026, Ho Chi Minh City
Press information and photographic material:
https://intertextile-shanghai-apparel-fabrics-autumn.hk.messefrankfurt.com/shanghai/en/press.html
Social media and website:
www.facebook.com/intertextileapparel
https://x.com/Intertextile
www.linkedin.com/in/intertextileapparel
www.instagram.com/intertextileapparel
Your contact:
Phoebe Chau
Phone: +852 2238 9941
phoebe.chau@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd
35/F, China Resources Building
26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
www.messefrankfurt.com.hk
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,500* people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2024 were around € 780* million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.
Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability
With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
*Preliminary figures 2024
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