A total of 381 exhibitors from 11 countries will gather at the Nangang Exhibition Centre in Taiwan, from 17-19 October 2023 for the 27th Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS). The event will showcase key innovations in critical trend areas across the textile value chain from Taiwan, the US, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, South Korea, India, China, and Hong Kong.
Taiwan’s textile industry ranks first in the world in terms of functional and green fabrics and stakeholders are continuously transforming, upgrading, and actively engaging in innovative R&D. TITAS is Asia’s key sourcing platform for textiles and clothing, and participation in the event continues to rise. The number of exhibitors in 2023 has increased by 3.8% from 2022, and there are 6% more booths this year.
This year, overseas exhibitors are actively exploring new business opportunities after borders are opened. Three country pavilions attach great importance to Taiwan as an important market.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) led six Italian suppliers of textile machinery and digital printing solutions to TITAS. The Indian Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) also organized six companies and their exhibits include PET bottle recycled yarn, fabrics for garments, industrial fabrics, and non-woven fabrics. The Korean Pavilion is led by the Daegu Gyeonbuk Textile Industries Association and nine companies specializing in fashion and functional products. There are also individual exhibitors such as Cotton Council International, Polygiene, Organoclick, and Emtec, displaying innovative sustainable, and functional textile technologies and solutions.
“The textile industry is facing a situation that is more serious than the financial crisis. It is expected that the order situation has gradually improved since 2023 Q3, and a significant recovery is expected to begin in 2023 Q4. Taiwan’s export value of textiles in the first eight months of this year declined by 30% yearly and experienced an annual decrease of 22% yearly in export volume. Many textile companies have transitioned to automation and digitalization and invested in overseas production expansion. They are preparing to make a big leap forward next year”, said Justin Huang, President of the Taiwan Textile Federation.
Innovation is at its heart
The event’s core themes reflect the mainstream trends shaping the global market. These are sustainability, functional applications, and intelligent manufacturing.
˙Innovations in sustainability: Driven by the net-zero wave in the global supply chain, textile companies are actively transforming their businesses into low-carbon operations. Building a green supply chain is critical for companies developing sustainable credentials. As leading brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon (to name but a few) set net-zero carbon reduction goals, Taiwan’s textile industry – which plays an important role in the global value chain – is actively building a functional and green supply chain to cater for buyers’ needs.
The highlight of innovative technology that is being used to promote the sustainable development of functional textiles will be showcased at TITAS. For example, FENC®TOPGREEN® BIO3 fabric incorporates the concept of green fashion into product design and received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. Formosa Chemicals & Fibre (FCFC)’s recycled nylon from waste marine fishing nets has been expanded to clothing applications in athleisure wear and footwear.
Formosa Taffeta has launched bio-plastic elastic yarn, which uses non-edible industrial corn and is transformed into biomass materials through fermentation technology. Exhibitor LIBOLON has developed a green circulation concept with a “water circular economy”. Yi Shin‘s Magic Recycle-WTG (waste to goods) is composed of Global Recycled Standard-certified recycled yarn made from pre-consumer textile waste and post-consumer plastic bottles. Shinkong Synthetic Fiber’s Cycora® recycled fabrics are a waste regeneration project through a collaboration between Shinkong and Ambercycle. GrandeTex’s Secao® yarn is the result of its partnership project with the Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI). Zig Sheng showcases its Bluecircle yarn, a 100% textile recycled yarn, and N66 Soufflex, a low fiber-shedding and stretchy yarn.
˙Functional textiles have a wide range of applications involving comfort, health, leisure, sports, safety, protection, and medical and physiological functions. The innovative development of fabrics and manufacturing technology has become the main driving force for the innovation of functional textiles. For example, Eclat has developed a revolutionary, inherently soft material called Softform, which serves as a green alternative to peached materials.
Tex-Ray’s Eco Trans patented technology is a high-resolution printing process developed for sustainable environmental protection. Nylon fiber manufacturer Chain Yarn will demonstrate its commitment to innovation and development in nylon fibers. Grand Textile obtained several patents including Stone Cold® (cooling technology), Coffee Charcoal® (thermal regulation), and Color Max (dyeing technique creating spray dye/tie dye effect). The SINGTEX® S.Café® eco2sy plus is made from coffee and recycled PET bottles and has the ability to absorb undesired body odor. Everest has developed biodegradable waterproof and breathable membranes, coupled with laminated products made from biodegradable fibers.
˙Digital technology applications such as sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud computing, big data analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI) are integral to the future success of the textile and apparel value chain. These applications can help companies improve energy efficiency, reduce production energy consumption, and optimize energy utilization in supply chain processes.
They can also measure supply chain carbon emission performance and, through this quantification, reduce carbon emissions. Digital technologies also help companies to build a resilient supply chain, achieve lean production, effectively reduce waste, and move towards ESG goals. For example: Pailung’s AlterKnit™ technology is said to revolutionise circular knitting. New Wide adheres to the principles of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” in water resource utilization. Its Intelligent Data Control Centre (IDCC) can optimize production schedules and address abnormalities, leading to a 20% increase in overall efficiency. Oshima will also demonstrate its fabric-spreading machine, which has full real-time monitoring to watch their manufacturing line from anywhere. Acme Intergroup will exhibit its compact digital textile printer.
The Trend Zone – the Gateway to Innovative & Sustainable Textiles
The Trends Zone is the best sourcing field for buyers who can easily access and explore the latest textiles and innovations. 500+ selected products showcase the latest trends and collections. The Trend Zone has two highlights in textiles: sustainability and functional applications. The sustainability focus is on sustainable materials and sustainable manufacturing materials. Sustainable materials include fiber modification and bio-based materials, preconsumer recycled materials, and post-consumer recycled materials. The focus of sustainable manufacturing materials is on materials made from solution-dyed, low-liquor ratio dyeing, waterless dyeing, low-temperature dyeing, solvent-free, cool transfer printing, etc. Functional applications will be highlighted in sports textiles and industrial textiles. Sports textiles can be used in indoor, outdoor, and water sports. The types of industrial textiles include functions of high protection properties such as high tenacity, chemical resistance, high-temperature resistance, high antifouling, antibacterial and antiviral, etc.
Educational sessions deliver innovative technology
Industry experts will share their knowledge in a series of talks informing visitors about cutting-edge technology that will help businesses work more sustainably to meet the demands of upcoming legislation, from functional fibers and low-carbon yarns to innovations in recycling and supply chain transparency. There will also be examples of how AI is transforming fabric development and design and collaboration on business processes. The event will also host a fashion show, new product launches, and trend forecasts in the stage area. These seminars and microevents are excellent platforms for conveying the latest knowledge, networking, and discovering industry market intelligence.
Connect with global brands
While international brands are destocking and purchasing power has not yet returned to preepidemic levels, TITAS has invited over 71 brands from 15 countries to attend the show, including COLUMBIA, REI, UNDER ARMOUR, RALPH LAUREN, VAUDE, NORRØNA, HUGO BOSS, CAPE UNION, MIZUNO and MONTBELL. This year’s TITAS is expected to have international buyers from critical markets such as the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Australia, Japan, and South Korea pass through its doors, ushering in more business opportunities for exhibitors.
