The Forum Space at last year’s All About Sustainability zone proved popular. © Spring Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics

Over 3,000 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and regions will join this year’s Spring Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics from 12-14 March, spanning a huge range of textile product categories, from fashion to technical innovation.

Comprehensive product zones will reflect demand for different products, such as sustainable solutions, functional fabrics, digital printing, accessories and denim that never goes out of style. With the added element of the fringe programme, which will include seminars held by exhibitors, the fair offers a versatile experience for visitors with opportunities to learn more about the latest industry opinions and regulations.

All About Sustainability

New Oeko-Tex 100 Standard regulations have been published for 2019, and eco-conscious visitors can head to the All About Sustainability zone for more details. The product zone, which features Chinese and European exhibitors, is regarded as a must-see destination for those seeking environmentally-friendly textile products and innovations. At the Spring Edition, this will include Foshan Chicley Textile’s sustainable fashion fabrics – a range of organic linen and cotton, Lenzing EcoVero, Modal and Tencel, as well as digital print fabrics.

The All About Sustainability zone will also house exhibitors who provide testing and certification services. Hohenstein Textile Testing and Testex both offer Standard 100, STeP, Eco Passport, Detox to Zero and Leather Standard by Oeko-Tex testing amongst other services, and both of these exhibitors will also host a seminar. Hohenstein Textile Testing will explain the amended Oeko-Tex regulations, while Testex will discuss how these new regulations help to build trust with today’s consumers.

Other exhibitors offering testing services include Intertex Testing Services, SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services and TUV Rheinland. The product zone is the ideal place for visitors to source eco-friendly textile products and gain insight on new sustainable business approaches, to meet the world’s growing demand for green fashion.

Functional innovations

While sustainability has been a frequently discussed topic in the industry for years, the demand for apparel with added modern technology also shows no signs of dwindling. Functional Lab continues to bring fresh innovation to the fair, with new sourcing options including Nano Mintex Technology, who will display functional yarns and fabrics with thermal insulation, and Paradise Textiles, who will show synthetic, natural and functional knit fabrics.

Chori will display wearable biometric monitoring fabrics – made with silver fibres, this comfortable fabric can monitor the wearer’s ECG, heart rate and daily activity logs. Artex Textiles will offer woven fabrics, made of 100% polyester and mixtures with viscose, nylon, cotton, linen and elastane. Changshu Baofeng Special Fiber will bring its flame-resistant MeltArmor collection, as well as its ArcArmor collection, which offers electric and flash fire protection that performs in a variety of climates, with lightweight options.

New sourcing options

Another highlight of the fair is the Digital Printing Zone, which includes onsite demonstrations of direct-to-garment digital inkjet printing solutions from leading exhibitors like MS Printing Solutions, who return after last year’s success, and Machine Elements (Fujian) Smart Print Technology, who are new to the zone.

Beyond Denim will house over 110 domestic and overseas exhibitors this edition, from China, Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam and more nationalities. Visitors can meet Denim International who offer garment production and denim wash expertise, and Jomu Textiles Vietnam who provide made-to-order denim and greige woven fabrics.

Meanwhile, Accessories Vision will comprise of over 450 domestic and overseas exhibitors, from countries and regions including China, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Thailand and the UK, including 13 new international exhibitors.

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