Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles Spring 2026 Records Growth

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Spring Edition 2026 concluded on 13 March at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, reporting increases in both exhibitor and visitor participation. The event hosted nearly 380 exhibitors and recorded over 28,500 visits from 83 countries and regions, marking a 12% rise compared to the previous Spring Edition.

The exhibition saw expanded international participation, including exhibitors from Portugal and Uzbekistan, alongside regional industry clusters from China presenting functional products in categories such as bedding, quilts, and fabrics. Products related to the growing sleep economy were a key focus, combining manufacturing developments with consumer demand for comfort, design, and sustainability. These offerings were presented across Hall 5.2.

At the conclusion of the event, Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “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.”

China’s regional clusters presented products including eco-certified woven and knitted bedsheets, anti-static conductive yarn bedding fabrics, and linen-hemp blends with washed cotton jacquards. These product categories reflected the integration of functional and sustainable materials for home textile applications.

The Uzbekistan Pavilion made its debut with 12 exhibitors presenting bedding and bathroom products made from cotton yarn, including jacquard towels. The display combined traditional production methods with updated manufacturing approaches.

The event’s fringe programme focused on industry trends, particularly in sleep-related products. The Sleep Aid Summit and Sleep Aid Display Area addressed themes such as temperature, touch, and visual comfort, along with initiatives including a teen sleep colour concept and a “Sleep Strategic for Senior” section covering different stages of sleep. Additional sessions included presentations by Ms Laurie Pressman, Vice President of Pantone Color Institute, and Mr Jianming Zhang of Freudenberg Performance Materials Group.

Exhibitor feedback highlighted product development and market engagement. Ms Connie Peng, Assistant to General Manager, Wujiang City Yunjie Textiles Co Ltd, China, said:
“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.”

Ms Maria Alberta Canizes, Secretary General, Associação Home From Portugal, commented:
“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.”

Mr Bakhtiyarov Shakhzod, Chief Specialist of the Investment Department, Agency for the Development of Light Industry under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said:
“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.”

Ms Quincy Liu, General Manager, Nantong No.1 Towel Factory Co., Ltd, China, added:
“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 also shared their experiences. Mr Andrie Iglesias, Vice President, Andriali Contract, Türkiye, said:
“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.”

Mr Ismail Tasci, Owner, Het Gordijn Atelier, the Netherlands, stated:
“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.”

Ms Amy Zhang, Suzhou Green Plus Environmental Technology Services Co Ltd, China, said:
“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.”

Speakers also addressed industry developments. Ms Juliana Li, Business Development Manager, Lenzing Fibers (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., said:
“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.”

Mr Kevin Liu, Think Tank Expert, China Home Textile Association / China Sleep Research Society, said:
“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.”

The event was held alongside Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition, Yarn Expo Spring, CHIC, and PH Value. It was organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Home Textile Association (CHTA).