Main themes emerging from the fair this year included an increase in innovative products resulting from the pandemic, the benefits for both domestic and international companies to have an in-person event, encouraging prospects in the Chinese market as it continues to rebound, and hope that more of the main textile markets will do the same as 2021 progresses.
Increase in Participation Figures
Ms Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd elaborated at the fair: “Following the two Intertextile Apparel editions in China in the second half of last year, we are delighted that we could offer another hybrid platform with new online solutions for the global industry to utilise this season. It was pleasing to see the number of exhibitors showcasing new products in response to the pandemic, particularly in the Functional Lab and All About Sustainability zones. And there are many positive signs and belief from participants here this week that the post- pandemic recovery in China will maintain its strength this year. We hope that by the Autumn Edition this August more of the global industry can gather here in Shanghai in-person to take advantage of this.”
Full Marks from Exhibitors
Mr Guanlian Yuan, Chinese Agent, Design Union, UK, ‘’ Intertextile is the industry’s most important trade fair in China, so we’ve been participating for many years. We have brought the latest prints sent over from London to showcase at the fair. Today the visitor flow is high and we’ve seen a lot of brand designers and fabric directors, who are all decision-makers.”
Fair Participation also from Orta Anadolu
Mr Jackal Tsang, Regional Sales, Orta Anadolu, Turkey, “We have brought our new S/S 2022 collection including our main hemp based range to the fair. We have focused on hemp because it is a sustainable material and naturally has anti-bacterial properties, making it a globally popular product right now. Because of the relatively quick recovery and rebound in the Chinese market, we have focused on the domestic market over the past year.”
Mr Robert Wang, Senior Manager, Wedtex Industrial Corp, Taiwan, “Our embroidery products have been particularly popular this year, and we have already received orders of more than 1,000 yards ready to be produced. Our customers all placed orders directly and we received orders with a total of around RMB 200,000. We welcomed about 30 groups of customers, and among them 12 groups were new.”
Italian Effect
Ms Hong Cui, Director of Sales, Vitale Barberis Canonico SpA, Italy, ‘’ Relaxing, comfortable, easy-care and eco-friendly products are the major trends now and the fair can help us explore these hot topics, which is one of the reasons why we continue to participate after 20 years. We are showcasing our latest knitted and sportswear fabrics and have met with our most important customers in China that always come to the fair. Overall we are very optimistic about the Chinese market.”
Ms Zheng Liu, Product Manager, Alumo AG, Switzerland, “Amid the pandemic, we collaborated with HeiQ from Switzerland and added their antibacterial treatment to weba’s products to cater to pandemic-related trends. These products are already in use in Europe and the US to make masks for the general public. The fair is an effective, prestigious platform for the industry to receive different customers in a centralised place over a short period of time. We can gather with existing customers while it is convenient for new customers to find us as well.”
Ms Jing Ren Li, Department Head, R&D Textile Co Ltd, Korea, “We participate in Intertextile every year and have noticed a rebound of customers at this edition. Overall our booth has been popular with both new and existing customers, so we are satisfied.”
