China

The textile industry's evolving material agenda came into sharper focus as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 closed in Shanghai. Buyers were able to assess recycled, bio-based and regenerated fibres directly against performance-led solutions at the four concurrent shows, and responsible choices were shown to meet practical requirements across a range of textile applications.

Over 100,000 visitors and more than 3,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions gathered in Shanghai across three days for the autumn edition of the Intertextile Apparel Fabrics fair. Four sourcing pillars spanning creativity, technical performance, responsible production and digital tools guided buyer discussions across 240,000 sq m at the National Exhibition and Convention Center.

A purple fabric has remained cooler than white cotton in tests, despite its dark colour, and may prove more effective at cooling the body than traditional light-coloured fabrics. Still in the early stages of development, the material has potential for workwear worn by construction workers, farmers and others spending long hours outdoors in strong sunlight.

A fabric made from living organisms has been developed and scaled up into a dress that a person can wear, retaining the ability to regrow after damage. Its deep purple base carries green and white patterns that are themselves living organisms, with different organisms generating colours and functions within the material.

Sample approval remains one of the more settled moments in a cross-border apparel order, yet fabric, trims, labels and pack configuration can shift between sign-off and shipment. A short sample version receipt is proposed to name every difference, assign a single owner and end with one of three deliberate release decisions before quantity is committed.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition 2026 is under way at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from 25 to 27 August, welcoming buyers, exhibitors and delegates for a three-day sourcing and networking programme. Fashion Forward, Performance Textiles, Sustainability and Textile Future organise the exhibitor showcase this edition.

Emerging technologies for textile-reinforced composites, textile recycling, digital platforms and automation solutions will feature at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, gathering the textile machinery industry in Shanghai this November. A dedicated Research and Innovation area will bring together leading Chinese universities to present embodied robots, intelligent inspection technologies and artificial intelligence development platforms.

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition 2026 will unite exhibitors from across the global textile trade under four pillars: Fashion Forward, Sustainability, Performance Textiles and Textile Future. From 25 to 27 August, the fair will host international pavilions and dedicated zones spanning sustainable materials, circular denim production and digital manufacturing solutions.

Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 in Shanghai will place cotton, plant-based fibre and recovered-material yarn options before buyers across its autumn edition. The fair will feature the expanded India Pavilion, international exhibitors and concurrent shows, with yarn supply placed beside apparel fabrics, fashion and knitted garments under one exhibition setting for sourcing.

A flexible, living textile made from the mycelium of Cordyceps militaris can self-repair, change colour, and block UV rays while remaining metabolically active after manufacture. The material has been developed primarily by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and is not intended for everyday wear, with environmental sustainability built into its design from the outset.