What's next?
Explore the Future of Textile, Meet the sustainable supply chain

The next FUNCTIONAL TEXTILES SHANGHAI by PERFORMANCE DAYS will be held at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center from March 5th to 6th, 2026. As a creative global platform , the exhibition will gather more than 230 exhibitors from China and international —to present an focused event focusing on functional textile fabrics, designs, and consumption trends for the industry.

Sustainability in textiles has become a clear and urgent priority for the industry. To liberate textile materials from their "waste" fate and reintegrate them into the production cycle, they must undergo processes such as collection, sorting, shredding (for mechanical recycling) or selective dissolution (for chemical recycling)—transforming discarded materials into reusable resources. For the functional textiles sector, durability, performance, and product quality remain the core benchmarks that define user experience. Yet sustainability is by no means a secondary "add-on"—it must be embedded throughout the entire lifecycle of textile production, becoming an essential consideration in every decision.

Join the movement—where innovation meets responsibility, and every thread tells a story of renewal. Let’s weave a future that’s not only high-performing but also truly sustainable.

INNOVATION FORUM

INNOVATION FORUM powerfully integrates the resources of both the Future Fabrics Expo and PERFORMANCE DAYS platforms to globally debut a rigorously curated selection of innovative, sustainable, and functional technological directions and fabrics. Witness lab-grade breakthroughs on-site, including: biomimetic photothermal fabric that heats up by 21.2°C in 50 seconds under light at -20°C, high-efficiency moisture-wicking cooling fabric that reduces temperature by up to 8°C, degradable bio-based fabric cultivable within 5–10 days at 30°C, and infrared-radiation antibacterial fabric with self-healing, anti-icing properties that withstands 50 wash cycles. Focusing on core questions such as “How can circular processes achieve both sustainability and high performance?” and “How can cutting-edge technologies be scaled for mass production?”, the forum unlocks inspiration for green innovation and injects breakthrough momentum into new product development.

Natural Materials: The Trend in Outdoor Gear

WOOL TRENDS & COTTON TRENDS

In the sports and outdoor sector, the core value of natural materials lies in their comfort, temperature regulation, and sustainability. Any performance limitations can be effectively addressed through approaches such as layering, blended composites, and specialized processing. Moving forward, these materials are set to evolve toward higher performance, lower carbon footprints, and enhanced traceability.

The wool activewear category is experiencing rapid growth, breaking its stereotype as "winter-only" gear and transitioning from a niche insulation solution into a mainstream, year-round, multi-scenario choice. Centered on Merino wool—leveraging ultra-fine 14.5‑micron yarns, blended fabrics, and advanced processing—it has achieved true four‑season wearability while overcoming traditional care challenges, now penetrating diverse sports and activity scenarios. Online sales doubled year‑on‑year in 2025, with international brands accelerating their investments in this space. As a strong alternative to synthetic fibers, wool activewear has firmly established itself as a key growth driver in the industry and is shaping its future direction.

In the activewear sector, cotton is demonstrating increasing prominence, technological innovation, and broader application scenarios. In 2024, the market size for products with high cotton content reached approximately ¥169 billion, with penetration rates steadily rising. Emerging demand from lower-tier markets and cross-border exports has become a new growth driver. Thanks to its natural moisture-wicking, breathability, and eco-friendly properties, cotton has become the preferred choice for light exercise, commuting, and consumers with sensitive skin. Leveraging policy support and technological advances, cotton-based activewear continues to expand its boundaries with a focus on “natural + functional” performance.

Workshop & Expert Talks

Gathering over 100 industry leaders for richer insights and inspiring exchanges.

Expert Talks focus on the latest trends and practices in functional fabrics. Topics include global trend releases, pathways to sustainable transformation, dialogues between brands and supply chains, performance breakthroughs in natural fibers, the latest developments in wool trends, and innovations in intimate apparel. This session serves as a platform connecting forward-looking trends with practical applications, jointly exploring the future direction of the industry.

Workshop: Technology Innovation & Sustainability.This workshop delves into technological innovations and sustainable solutions, covering functional technologies such as passive cooling and dynamic temperature regulation. It features an in‑depth analysis of sustainable fabrics and biodegradable materials from leading brands including LYCRA®, Polartec®, 3M™, FLYTEC, 37.5® Technology, and MITSUBISHI.Discussions will extend to emerging outdoor scenarios, pain‑point solutions for shell jackets, advancements in insulation materials, breakthroughs in electrostatic spinning, and relevant testing and certification standards. Designed to empower brands in forward‑looking development, the workshop aims to inspire and shape trends for the coming season.

TREND FORUM & AWARD

TREND FORUM serves as the leading trendsetter for functional fabrics. By collaborating with top international trend institutions, it releases forward-looking style directions tailored to the Chinese market, creating a one-stop platform for industry insights.The forum showcases core innovative fabrics that integrate multiple advanced technologies:

• Through molecular-level decomposition and repolymerization, waste materials such as recycled dyes and polyester are transformed into high-performance fibers, achieving true circularity with quality comparable to virgin polyester.

• Utilizing P50D DTY stretch yarns and a three-layer innovative structure, the fabrics offer bi-directional high elasticity and tear resistance, along with moisture management, quick-drying, and UPF 50+ protection—making them ideal for high-intensity outdoor activities.

• The PureDye water-saving technology revolutionizes the dyeing process, significantly reducing resource consumption and delivering a triple breakthrough in performance, comfort, and sustainability.

AWARD ZONE highlights premium fabrics and innovative achievements from exhibitors, bringing together top global solutions for diverse applications—from base layers and softshell fabrics to professional outdoor equipment. The focus centers on three key trends: Green sustainability has become mainstream, with breakthroughs in the scaled production of recycled fabrics and biodegradable technologies. Multifunctional integration continues to advance, combining properties such as antibacterial protection and temperature regulation. Fashion and performance are merging seamlessly, resulting in durable, safety-oriented fabrics that also deliver strong design appeal and practicality.

* The show is only open to potential downstream brand sourcing, development and design parties in the textile industry. Due to the government's regulatory requirements for large-scale events, all approved visitors are kindly requested to bring their ID cards or passports to the show.