Over 28,500 visitors attended the show – an overall 12% increase compared to the previous Spring Edition (Photo: Messe Frankfurt)

At the conclusion of the fair, Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, underlined the strong momentum and growing relevance of the event:

“Even on the first day, it was clear the result this spring would be good – and the record-breaking visitor figures reflect the platform’s growing influence. The show attracted new joiners such as the Uzbekistan Pavilion, expanding the exhibitor mix and enriching the global offering. Aligned with the trend of the expanding sleep economy, the related fringe events served as key platforms to promote industry exchange and development. Exhibitors reported high-quality leads from diverse buyers, signalling sustained market demand.”

Regional clusters and global debuts drew attention from buyers

China’s key regional clusters spotlighted exceptional functional products in down, quilts, bedding fabrics, and beyond. Standout products included certified eco-friendly woven and knitted bedsheets from Jiangyin Hongliu Bedsheet, anti-static conductive yarn bedding fabrics from Suzhou Qi Ye Knitting, and linen-hemp blends plus specially washed cotton jacquards from Ace Home. These offerings underscored the fair’s role in connecting global buyers with high-performance, sustainable home textiles tailored to diverse needs.

A key highlight amongst the overseas participation was the debut Uzbekistan Pavilion, featuring 12 exhibitors who showcased bedding and bathroom products crafted from high-quality cotton yarn. Patterned jacquard towels drew significant attention for their striking designs and appeal. The pavilion’s offerings skilfully blended traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainable production concepts, enriching the show’s diverse product mix.

Fringe insights: sleep innovations and trends

Complementing these regional and international strengths, the fair’s fringe programme sparked vital industry dialogue on emerging trends, in particular sleep. The Sleep Aid Summit and the Sleep Aid Display Area served as centrepieces for healthy sleep solutions, with the latter featuring five core themes, plus two new areas addressing temperature, touch, and visual comfort – a teen sleep colour initiative for stress relief and a “Sleep Strategic for Senior” space for seniors covering pre-sleep, in-sleep, and wake-up phases.

To amplify the buzz, other events included presentations from Laurie Pressman, Vice President of Pantone Color Institute, on using colour for personal expression in homes, and Jianming Zhang of Freudenberg Performance Materials Group, discussing the company’s materials for bedding applications.

Exhibitors’ feedback

Exhibitors highlighted both product innovation and strong buyer engagement, particularly in the growing sleep economy segment:

Ms Connie Peng, Assistant to General Manager, Wujiang City Yunjie Textiles Co Ltd, China, pointed to increasing demand for functional and sustainable fabrics: “We’re showcasing textured, cotton-like, and sleep-aid functional fabrics, that deliver exceptional hand-feel, skin-friendliness, and softness close to cotton, earning strong customer favour. Furthermore, we’re also expanding across the sustainable product supply chain, focusing on recyclable fabric development. In home textiles, the sleep economy and sleep-tech product trends are evident, with more clients seeking fabrics that aid sleep and relieve stress. Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles attracts a high proportion of targeted buyers, making it an ideal platform for face-to-face exchanges with new and existing clients, showcasing products, and enabling deeper future collaborations.”

For international exhibitors, the fair offered access to high-value market segments. Ms Maria Alberta Canizes, Secretary General, Associação Home From Portugal, emphasised: “This is our first time at the Spring Edition. China’s luxury niche suits our Portuguese small-batch, high-end home textiles from natural fibres like linen, hemp, and innovative fire-retardant cork products for homes and hospitality. The fair’s strength shines through strong buyer traffic; we’ve connected with many visitors from the US, Japan, Korea, and many affluent Chinese buyers appreciating our unique jacquards, designs, and certifications. They seek European taste and quality, confirming solid potential.”

The debut of the Uzbekistan Pavilion was also seen as a strategic step, as Mr Bakhtiyarov Shakhzod, Chief Specialist of the Investment Department, explained: “This is the first time we have an Uzbekistan Pavilion here. Our main purpose is to promote Uzbek textile products – using our own cotton for yarns and home textiles like towels and bathrobes and show Chinese producers and buyers what we can make. China has the world’s best textile production chain, offering huge potential. The fair connects us with diverse buyers; our exhibitors are busy meeting visitors and building contacts. We would like to return next spring with a stronger presence.”

Long-standing exhibitors likewise confirmed the fair’s importance for international business. Ms Quincy Liu, General Manager, Nantong No.1 Towel Factory Co., Ltd, China, noted: “We’ve exhibited at Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles for many years. This time, we are showcasing our new bathrobe and towel series with fresh materials, designs, and packaging. The fair has attracted diverse buyers, including many new and returning clients from Japan, Korea, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Chinese consumers now demand better aesthetics, quality, transparency, packaging, green production, factory audits, and raw materials – which we fully embrace. China’s is the world’s most complete home textile supply chain, boosted by the sleep economy’s self-care trend, with which our skin-comfort products closely align.”

Buyers’ experiences

Buyers emphasised the fair’s efficiency as a sourcing platform and its relevance for identifying new trends and partners:

Mr Andrie Iglesias, Vice President, Andriali Contract, Türkiye, highlighted both product quality and supplier responsiveness: “This is my first time at the Spring Edition, and I’m impressed by the well-organised atmosphere with several promising booths for my industry. I source high-end upholstery and drapery fabrics from domestic manufacturers, for hospitality and cruising. The key requirement is fire retardancy, alongside sustainability, customisation, quick lead times, and reliable service for urgent sampling. The exhibitor response has been positive, with their unique construction qualities and evolving patterns setting them apart and making this a highly effective sourcing platform. I see strong potential and plan to return next year.”

From a European perspective, Mr Ismail Tasci, Owner, Het Gordijn Atelier, the Netherlands, pointed to the diversity and sustainability focus of the offering: “I am sourcing high-end linen and blackout curtain fabrics. I have already connected with many Chinese suppliers and I am impressed by the quality and diversity of exhibitors. Eco-friendly products are in high demand, and I have seen particularly encouraging options among them. Overall, the show is proving to be an invaluable platform for building industry connections and exploring the latest market trends. I feel optimistic about the market outlook, and am already considering a return next year.”

Regular attendees also underlined the fair’s strategic value for international business development. Ms Amy Zhang, Suzhou Green Plus Environmental Technology Services Co Ltd, China, explained: “We attend the Spring Edition every year to tap into global industry trends and forge efficient business connections for international expansion. Its co-location with the yarn and apparel textile shows allows one-stop access to raw material suppliers, processors, home textile brands, overseas channels and full-chain partners. The eco-focused forums align perfectly with our certification, supply chain, and sustainability solutions, which clarify market needs and guide our strategy. The fair has exceeded our expectations for networking and trend insights, and boosted our confidence in sustainable global home textiles.”

Fringe speaker insights

Speakers at the event provided additional perspectives on material innovation and evolving market dynamics:

Ms Juliana Li, Business Development Manager, Lenzing Fibers (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., China, highlighted the growing importance of fibre performance in the sleep economy: “Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles is an ideal platform to introduce our new fibres and classic applications in home and sleep scenarios, inspiring downstream brands while elevating our industry image and full-chain ecosystem. In the 2026 sleep economy, consumers refocus on essentials like temperature and humidity management – key to comfort in humid regions – prioritising breathable, body-contact fabrics over decor. Fibres play a pivotal role here, enabling brands to innovate across subdivided categories and living spaces for true relaxation.”

Providing a broader market perspective, Mr Kevin Liu, Think Tank Expert, China Home Textile Association / China Sleep Research Society, China, observed: “This year’s fair reveals several clear trends: first, stronger regional cohesion in industry hubs like Zhejiang’s towel cluster and Hebei’s home textiles cluster; second, more niche segments emerging with small, specialised companies thriving – like brands focused on pet-friendly home textiles that perfectly target specific audiences despite modest scale; third, the sleep economy gaining momentum as companies shift from ‘selling products’ to ‘selling the sleep experience.’ Overall, the fair grows increasingly diverse, with larger companies paving the way for smaller exhibitors to grow with them.”

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition 2026 was held concurrently with Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition, Yarn Expo Spring, CHIC and PH Value at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. The fair was organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).

[1] Compared to the previous Spring Edition.