In line with the continued focus on eco solutions in the apparel fabrics industry, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics will feature the ‘All about Sustainability’ zone for the first time.

The Planet Textiles Conference also runs concurrently with the fair, and features speakers from renowned organisations from Europe, the US and Asia. Innovation is also a key focus of the show, with the Innotex Space display zone presenting innovative technologies and products.

The ‘All about Sustainability’ zone’s overall theme this year is ‘Recycle’. Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager of fair organiser Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, believes it will resonate strongly with domestic buyers.

“The issue of sustainability is becoming increasingly important for Chinese consumers as they become more conscious of environmental protection,” she said. “This zone, therefore, provides new opportunities for overseas companies that have strong environmental credentials to enter the Chinese market as this trend begins to take off.”

The ‘All about Sustainability’ zone is an exhibitor and educational zone, as well as a display area – some of the world’s leading companies in the field of sustainability will be featured. Outdoor clothing supplier Patagonia, a pioneer in the use of Repreve fibres, will take part.

Repreve is a fibre that contains recycled materials, including post-industrial waste and used plastic bottles, and is produced by Unifi, another exhibitor at the fair. Patagonia’s range includes 40 styles that use this material, some of which will be on display in this zone. H&M will also be showcasing their Conscious collection as well as their Conscious Exclusive party wear line for spring 2013. These collections feature garments made from organic cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel.

Other participants include Redress, a Hong Kong-based NGO, which will showcase to visitors how they work to promote environmental sustainability in Asia’s fashion industry by reducing textile waste, pollution, and water and energy consumption.

They will showcase 4 outfits including zero waste, reconstructed, up-cycled and recycled textile outfits respectively. And the Crystal Group will display their eco-friendly jeans production processes including laser and ozone bleaching, and denim waste usage. Apart from that, popular recycling fabrics will also be displayed within that area.

Innotex Space to introduce the latest industry technology

Innotex Space is jointly organised this year by the Department of Science and Technology Development of China National Textile & Apparel Council (CNTAC) and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textile and Apparel (HKRITA). Visitors to Innotex Space will learn how HKRITA can benefit their organisations, says CEO, Edwin Keh.

“We will showcase our research capability and award-winning technologies that can help industry players produce value-added products and gain a competitive edge in the global market.”

Some of the innovations on display from HKRITA include Nu-TorqueTM  cotton yarn production technology, a fabric touch tester, high-performance running wear and cycling wear, an advanced functional clothing and functional design CAD technologies, and melt spinning-produced shape-memory fibre.

While CNTAC will present new textile processing technology, eco-textile dyeing and finishing technology, energy-saving textile production technology and a range of cutting-edge materials. This zone also contains a Technology Information Exchange Area where interaction between industry participants can take place.

Running concurrently with this fair are two other events: Yarn Expo Autumn and PH Value (formerly known as the China International Knitting Trade Fair) which are also located in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Textile Information Centre.