Intertextile Shanghai debuts All about Sustainability zone

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.