In the face of an evolving economic landscape, the technical textiles and nonwoven sectors are often at the forefront of adaptation and innovation. Such was the case at the recently concluded Cinte Techtextil China 2024, attracting nearly 400 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions and nearly 17,000 visits (2023: 15,542), with visitors hailing from 77 countries and regions. Taking place from 19 – 21 September across three halls at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the most extensive product groups at the fair comprised nonwovens; technology, equipment and accessories; and woven fabrics, laid webs, knitted fabrics, and braidings. Highlights included a range of innovation and sustainability-focused fringe events, and the return of the German Pavilion and European Zone, with participants touting the domestic market’s renewed potential across a range of application areas.
Speaking as the show wrapped up three successful days of business, Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “Once again, this show has proven its status as Asia’s leading technical textiles and nonwovens trade fair. We were of course pleased to welcome back the European Zone and German Pavilion, with those banners and their well-known exhibitors acting as big draws for visitors. As has our fringe programme, after making strong efforts to broaden its appeal while also spotlighting sustainability and innovation across the show floor. The range of buyers has been fantastic, in terms of both internationality and application area. We saw strong demand in many areas, with products and solutions focused on medical, protective, automotive, industrial and construction, especially promising, and we look forward to expanding our offering for these sectors going forward.”
Demand for technical textiles and nonwovens is surging across several key industries. The public’s heightened concern for effective medical treatment has boosted market opportunities for quality medical textiles. Meanwhile, expanding populations, industrialization, and urbanization have also bolstered the need for construction, industrial, and protective textiles, with the rise of e-mobility a major driver for growth in automotive textiles.
Covering high-demand products ranging from automotive nonwovens to weaving machines and composite lines, key international players displayed their latest innovations across the show floor. Within the German Pavilion, exhibitors included AUTEFA, J.H. Ziegler, Lindauer DORNIER, Perlon, and Reifenhäuser. Among other standout brands were the likes of ANDRITZ Nonwoven, DILO Group, and Groz-Beckert.
Several prominent companies joined the fair’s international exhibitor contingent for the first time, such as Hansa Industrie Mixer and Neuenhauser Maschinenbau in the German Pavilion. Other new exhibitors included AiDLab (Hong Kong), FPC Industrial Company (Saudi Arabia), KSA Polymer Hanoi (Vietnam), Themoanano (Korea), and Nihon Glass Fiber (Japan).
Meanwhile, six Chinese regional pavilions joined the show, namely Foshan Jiujiang; Foshan Xiqiao; Hubei Xianto; Jiangsu Funing; Zhejiang Tiantai; and Liaoning, making its debut and appealing to buyers of medical, protection, and filtration products. Whether new or returning or hailing from China or beyond its borders, exhibitors expressed positive sentiments about the fair and its propensity to connect them with the recovering domestic and international markets.
Exhibitors’ feedback
“As one of the most important fairs for us in China, Cinte Techtextil China covers the domestic market, while we also receive a lot of international visitors here, allowing us to exchange ideas and gain market insights. Coming to this show helps us to connect more directly with our customers. As China is a very big market, very often we sell directly and indirectly to them during the fair, where all our users come together. Today, we can see players from different countries gathering together in one platform, and we believe that China’s visa-free policies are indispensable for economic growth.” Mr Kabilen Sornum, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Marketing & E-Commerce, Groz-Beckert East Asia, Singapore
“We produce high-tech functional protective fabrics, widely used for emergency firefighting, police, chemical and electrical power, medical and epidemic prevention, and other industrial fields. At Cinte Techtextil China, we can connect face-to-face with many raw materials suppliers, apparel manufacturers, and overseas customers. The overall visitor flow has been very good, and we were pleased that among our visitors were leaders from industry associations, relevant VIP buyers, and the German Deputy Consul General.” Ms Zhao Chixian, Deputy General Manager, IBENA Shanghai Technical Textile, China.
“We would like to use this fair’s reputation to better promote our company, increase brand awareness, and reach more potential customers in China. We are mainly displaying textile fabrics and automotive exhaust interior materials, and our target customers from the automotive industry have visited our booth to discuss our products. The sustainability movement has led to the progress of new energy vehicles, which has contributed to the growth of the automotive interior materials business.” Mr Lin Yang, Sales Department Minister, Nihon Glass Fiber Industrial, Japan.
“Our synthetic filaments are mainly applied in the paper machine and brush industry, as well as markets of technical textiles and specialty wires, cosmetics and dental care. We’ve been exhibiting at Cinte Techtextil China for 10 years, a highly professional fair that helps us meet more domestic and international customers. The Chinese market is getting better and we see recovery from our customers’ side, therefore we are confident the business will grow again. Sustainability is the biggest industry trend.” Mr Frank Winkes, VP Business Segment PMC, Perlon-Monofil, Germany.
“Our company produces PVC-coated meshes applied to construction, outdoor fences, and roofing, and mainly exports to Korea, Japan, the US, and Europe. This fair is highly international and targeted, and everyone here is looking for specific items. Being next to the German Pavilion brings more European distributors and suppliers to our booth. Two factors are making overseas brands more competitive – price and quality. We also strive for sustainability and durability, and our products have a longer service life than other meshes.” Ms Gabby Kim, Sales Staff, KSA Polymer Hanoi, Vietnam.
Visiting countries and regions increased by 25 compared to the previous edition, with Korea, Taiwan, India, and Germany among the top ten by visitor number. VIP buyers were invited from 15 countries, representing 19 diverse companies such as AERO TEXTILE CONCEPT from Mexico, Bartlett Manufacturing from Australia, and Supreme Industries Limited from India. Meanwhile, the European American Chamber of Commerce & Industry gathered a buyer delegation from 16 countries, with visitors across the fairground impressed with the options on show.
Visitors’ comments
“The fair has introduced me to new suppliers and a variety of innovative products, and I am pleased with the sustainable options available. Seeing the future significance of these products, I have already made valuable contacts for potential collaboration. Cinte Techtextil China serves as an excellent gateway to the Chinese and Asian industries, fostering collaboration between European technologies and Chinese manufacturing strengths. While I initially sought specific raw materials such as nonwovens for bag making, I have also discovered interesting safety and protection products.” Ms Claudia Moreno, Sourcing Manager, Group Dragon, Mexico.
“Our main purpose participating at Cinte Techtextil China has been to look for high-quality suppliers who can solve current production challenges. After in-depth communication and investigation, we have identified several companies that are interested in collaboration. After the fair, we will engage in detailed discussions with these potential partners to explore the specifics of our cooperation.” Mr Zhang Guoping, Production Department Head, Shikishima Industrial Fabrics (Wuxi), China.
“We have connected with several suppliers that align with our needs, particularly in the fabric and machinery sectors. The fair effectively brings together a diverse selection of international and Chinese brands, enabling us to make comparisons for quality and affordability. The demand for sustainable products has been growing, and most of the products I encountered here are innovative and sustainable. The seminar topics are also of interest to us as visitors. Overall, I am very satisfied with the organisation of the fair and will return for the next edition.” Mr Lahiru Asanka, CEO, T.D.R Constructions, Sri Lanka.
Various fringe events gave fairgoers important insights and increased opportunities for networking and collaboration. These included a panel discussion on how innovation is an important growth driver for sustainability, as well as two Sustainability Guided Tours to highlight green solutions for Mobiltech and other application areas. Other key events included AiDLab’s presentation on how AI can automate the textile inspection process; the 12th China International Nonwovens Conference; and the Innovation Product Presentation and 2024 Innovation Award, with winners including DILO’s MicroPunch Line and EMS-GRILTECH’s abrasion resistant and flame retardant fibre Nexylon. Visitors were also able to attend a range of exhibitor presentations.
Speakers’ insights
“On the panel, we learned the necessary production processes already exist, and legislation and financial markets are pushing us in a sustainable direction. It may be a difficult transition to a circular economy, and that is why fairs are so important – at the different Messe Frankfurt textile fairs, visitors will find a solution for almost everything. Industry players attend Cinte Techtextil China to see what is happening in the market, what is new, and what can be relevant for them. With our Sustainability Tours and Econogy Talks, we aim to provide them with more context and understanding. ” Mr Karl Borgschulze, Managing Director, Consulting Service International, Hong Kong (Moderator of panel discussion – Innovation as a Driver for Sustainability: Managing Complex Requirements in the Global Textile Industry; Host of Sustainability Guided Tours)
“What I presented and discussed with the panel was how to use AI to automate the inspection process for woven fabric, knitted fabric, and even nonwovens. For example, we integrated our system with Banitore’s face mask machine which produces 500 pieces per minute, and they can now detect over 99.9% of defects. It is very useful for us to combine a panel discussion with a booth at the fair. In the presentation we can present what we are doing very clearly, then during the panel discussion draw more attention from the audience, who will be more interested to visit our booth.” Prof Calvin Wong, CEO & Centre Director, Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), Hong Kong.
The fair’s product categories cover 12 application areas, which comprehensively span a full range of potential uses in modern technical textiles and nonwovens. These categories also cover the entire industry, from upstream technology and raw materials providers to finished fabrics, chemicals and other solutions. This scope of product groups and application areas ensures that the fair is an effective business platform for the entire industry.
The next edition of Cinte Techtextil China will be held from 3 – 5 September 2025.
The fair is organized by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).
