Intertextile Shanghai to have Fashionsustain conference

The 25th session of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition, to be held from September 25 to 27, will have a focus on eco-friendly supply chain switches and services in a specialised zone called All About Sustainability. The zone will also host Fashionsustain’s first ever conference in Shanghai and has dedicated space for fringe programme.

With 25 years of experience, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics remains at the forefront of the global textile industry, and has highlighted the importance of sustainability with a dedicated zone since 2008. As China’s environmental commitments gain progress – for example, the recent reinforcement of compulsory recycling across Shanghai – the location of the fair is ideal to find the latest updates in environmental innovation. All About Sustainability also hosts a dedicated forum space for fringe programme.

Global leaders will gather for a Fashionsustain conference on September 26, focusing on technology, sustainability, digitalisation and innovation as important drivers of the fashion and textile industries. The Fashionsustain conference accompanies Messe Frankfurt’s Neonyt fair in Berlin, and is a new addition to the Intertextile Shanghai fringe programme.

The conference will discuss issues such as retail, feminism, equality, diversity, craftsmanship and the cultural dimension of sustainability in fashion. Participants include speakers from Hugo Boss, the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, Fashion For Good, Li & Fung, Sourcebook, Kaleidoscope Berlin and DyeCoo / Re-access.

From manufacturing fabrics to producing prototypes and sampling, green switches can be made throughout the supply chain. Exhibitor Penfabric, from Malaysia, was the world’s first fully integrated textile company to be awarded the Made in Green by Oeko-Tex label. At the fair, Penfabric will showcase their Go Green Collection, which recycles discarded PET bottles into polyester, in compliance with Japan’s Container and Packing Recycling Laws. New exhibitor MITI, from Italy, has developed Bioback technology fabrics with two main components: Amni Soul Eco Nylon yarn with accelerated biodegradability, and Roica high performance elastane, which does not release any toxic substances during degradation. MITI fabrics are resistant to UV and abrasion, and offer stretch.

More eco-friendly fabrics can be found from Shaoxing Natave Textiles, who utilise Lenzing’s EcoVero, Tencel and Modal to create finished fabrics with a soft feel and excellent drape, offering sustainable solutions for ladieswear, evening dresses and suits.

Awareness campaigns have been utilising social media across the globe, as consumers ask for transparency in the apparel supply chain and encouraging brands to improve their practices. For example, Fashion Revolution, a UK-based environmental and ethical NGO has an annual campaign which involves consumers from over 100 countries who ask brands the simple question: “Who made my clothes?” A solution for brands lies in testing and certification. These tools are vital to ensuring trust in a brand, while a recognisable award logo can also act as a strategic selling point for a product.

All About Sustainability will feature exhibitors offering testing and certification services, which means both trade buyers and exhibitors can visit the product zone to learn more about improving transparency. These include BTTG Intertek Group, Control Union Certification (Shanghai), Guangzhou Inspection Testing And Certification Group, Intertek Testing Services Shanghai, Qima, and SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services- Shanghai.