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Amid an accelerating global shift toward low-carbon economies and systemic industrial change, the official launch of GREENEXT Expo 2026 has been announced. As China’s premier cross-industry exhibition and summit platform dedicated to sustainable development, this edition is scheduled to take place in October 2026 at the iconic Shanghai Exhibition Center. The event is designed to serve as a dynamic collaborative ecosystem, bridging the gap between high-level business technology and social innovation to transform shared visions into scalable, real-world solutions
From Vision to Action: A legacy of rapid growth
The momentum for the 2026 edition is built upon a strong foundation of prior success, beginning with the platform's debut in 2024. That inaugural event, which focused on "ESG and Sustainable Transformation," welcomed 4,306 professional visitors and over 100 brands and institutions. It successfully moved ESG and net-zero ambitions from conceptual consensus into actionable industry practices. This trajectory continued with GREENEXT Expo 2025, held in September under the theme "A Journey to Sustainability," which delivered a significant upgrade in scale. The 2025 event attracted 5,022 attendees and more than 120 exhibiting companies, supported by 77 professional sessions exploring concrete pathways for industrial transformation. This steady growth reflects the deepening commitment of both industry and society to sustainability while connecting China’s innovative solutions with global best practices.
The 3 Strategic Pillars and 5 Thematic Zones
Rooted in the core mission to "Sustain Every Business," GREENEXT Expo 2026 is organized around three strategic pillars: Low-Carbon Transformation, Tech Innovation, and Business for good. These pillars are brought to life through a year-round framework featuring five core thematic zones that highlight the interconnected progress of people, nature, and industry.
|
Thematic Zone |
Primary Focus and Strategic Objectives |
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Net Zero Engine |
Spotlights low-carbon technologies, energy transition, green manufacturing, AI, and advanced materials to strengthen value-chain competitiveness. |
|
Nature Positive |
explores biodiversity protection, regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to turn ecological value into commercial assets. |
|
Circular Economy |
Features innovations in circular design and closed-loop systems to illustrate how resource efficiency drives scalable, growth-oriented strategies. |
|
Conscious Living |
Bridges sustainable consumption with responsible fashion, clean beauty, and healthy lifestyles to meet evolving consumer expectations. |
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Business for Good |
Unites social innovation, education empowerment, cultural preservation, and impact investment for a virtuous cycle of commercial and societal value. |
Global reach and Cross-Sector collaboration
A defining feature of the 2026 journey is its synergy of diverse programs addressing both current and future challenges. From a global perspective, the "Global Navigation" program supports Chinese enterprises in navigating international regulations and market entry challenges while enhancing supply chain transparency. As a critical part of this effort, GREENEXT will host the "China Sustainability Pioneers" side event and showcase in Paris from March 30 to April 1, 2026, held in parallel with the world-leading ChangeNOW summit. This international presence aims to boost market credibility for Chinese enterprises in Europe and promote the internationalization of competitive Chinese solutions in areas like urban regeneration and technological innovation.
Domestically, the platform addresses structural transformation through industry-specific initiatives like "Fashion Forward," which targets brands and supply chain leaders to focus on decarbonization, circularity, and transparency. Previous participants in these efforts have included major names such as JNBY, adidas, and YKK. Furthermore, the event embeds sustainability at the city scale through the "Urban Regeneration" program, which treats commercial spaces as living labs for energy efficiency. The newly launched "Longevity & Wellbeing" program responds to the growing silver economy by integrating age-inclusive design with health technologies across healthcare and housing sectors.
New Frontiers and A Collective Symphony: Participation and early engagement
Dr. Hong Zheng, the founder of GREENEXT, emphasizes that sustainability is not an isolated challenge for a single sector but a systemic transformation requiring participation across the entire value chain. The platform aims to break down industry barriers to co-create solutions that combine wisdom, shared responsibility, and symbiotic growth. To facilitate this, GREENEXT Expo 2026 is now officially open for application, with an early-bird program offering a 5% discount to companies and partners who register before the end of April 2026.
Participants can engage deeply through a variety of formats, including exhibition booths, solution showcases, panel discussions, closed-door roundtables, and the release of progress reports on pilot projects. GREENEXT warmly invites brands, industry leaders, manufacturing innovators, and government bodies across sectors—from food and beauty to transportation and construction, to join this landmark event at the Shanghai Exhibition Center to explore low-carbon pathways and achieve dual commercial and societal value.
Urban Outfitters, Inc (URBN) reported a robust 9 per cent increase in total net sales in the final two months of 2025, spanning November-December 2025. Announced in January 2026, this performance was spearheaded by a 9 per cent comparable sales expansion at the Urban Outfitters brand and an 18 per cent growth in the FP Movement activewear label. While the broader apparel sector grappled with shifting consumer sentiment and new tariff complexities, URBN successfully leveraged a diversified multi-channel strategy, balancing high-growth digital engagement with a substantial brick-and-mortar expansion.
Strategic channel diversification and subscription scalability
A significant catalyst for URBN’s record holiday results was the continued acceleration of its Nuuly subscription rental segment, which saw net sales soar by 43 per cent. This growth was supported by a 41 per cent increase in active subscribers, illustrating a structural shift toward the circular economy and value-driven consumption. The company observed a distinct behavior where consumers delayed purchases in anticipation of seasonal events, noted Richard Hayne, CEO, URBN. To navigate this, it optimized its inventory and promotional timing, resulting in a 7 per cent increase in total Retail segment sales and a 13 per cent lift in Wholesale revenues, primarily driven by Free People’s strength in department store channels.
Capital expenditure and global footprint optimization
Unlike many competitors retrenching from physical retail, URBN executed an aggressive growth plan throughout 2025, opening 58 new locations while closing only seven. The strategy focused heavily on the Free People and FP Movement brands to capture the resilient demand for wellness-oriented apparel. By integrating localized store experiences with sophisticated AI-driven personalization, the group successfully mitigated ‘digital fatigue,’ a challenge cited by industry analysts as a primary barrier to conversion in 2026. This infrastructure investment, combined with a disciplined 304-basis-point improvement in gross profit rates earlier in the year, positions the company to maintain its momentum in a fragmented global market.
Urban Outfitters, Inc is a leading lifestyle retailer operating a global portfolio including Anthropologie, Free People, and Nuuly. Focusing on North American and European markets, the company continues to achieve record revenues, supported by a pivot toward subscription models and specialty activewear. Founded in 1970, URBN now maintains nearly 800 stores worldwide.
The menswear landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the Shift trade fair returns to the Kromhouthal in Amsterdam on January 19, 2026. This third edition arrives at a crucial moment for the global menswear market, which is projected to reach $465.39 billion this year. The event highlights a critical commercial shift: the traditional boundaries between technical performance and everyday lifestyle are dissolving. Brands that once focused solely on outdoor functionality are now presenting themselves as high-end lifestyle labels, catering to a consumer who demands ‘future-proof’ versatility.
Navigating the premiumization of retail
In an era where retail inventories often suffer from aesthetic saturation, Shift is positioning its Curated zone - a 500-sq-m space featuring 40 selected collections - as a solution for stores seeking a unique identity. This move aligns with a broader industry trend toward premiumization, with the premium segment currently advancing at a CAGR of 3.66 per cent. ‘We are seeing a clear need for a new meeting place that is both inspiring and innovative,’ notes Rick van Rijthoven. By fostering a unique collaboration between six top agencies, the event ensures, retailers can find high-modulus fabrics and distinctive denim that move beyond mass-produced uniformity.premiumization,
Functional innovation meets ‘Slow Luxury’
A primary driver for 2026 is the integration of textile engineering into the aesthetic narrative. For the Spring/Summer 2026 season, the ‘Slow Luxury’ trend emphasizes material honesty - focusing on linen, hemp, and bio-cellulosic fibers like Lyocell. At Shift, workshops hosted by the House of Denim and the Reframe concept zone address the technical challenges of these high-value yarns. This is essential as European regulations, such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), now incentivize the production of durable, multifunctional garments.
Serving the premium menswear and retail sector, Shift acts as a boutique bridge for over 100 brands to connect with international fashion professionals. Based in Amsterdam, the platform is expanding its reach through a partnership for Shift Frankfurt in 2026. Initially a startup event, it has rapidly achieved a stable financial outlook by focusing on high-growth lifestyle and performance segments.
Driven by a projected market valuation of $48.01 billion by 2026, the next-generation natural fibers market is moving beyond traditional cotton and silk toward engineered bio-based alternatives. Materials such as mycelium-derived leather, bacterial cellulose, and regenerated fibers from post-consumer waste are now being integrated into the production cycles of major luxury and performance brands. This shift is substantiated by a 10 per cent increase in sector investment during 2023, even as broader venture capital markets softened, signaling long-term institutional confidence in sustainable raw material.
Regulatory mandates accelerate material substitution
Compliance requirements are increasingly dictating textile sourcing strategies. The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which bans the destruction of unsold apparel starting in 2026, is forcing manufacturers to adopt circular design principles. Furthermore, proposed legislation like the New York Fashion Act is compelling brands with revenues exceeding $100 million to implement rigorous supply chain mapping. To mitigate these pressures, industry leaders are securing long-term offtake agreements for bio-identical proteins and recycled cellulose, effectively de-risking their portfolios against rising chemical restrictions and potential carbon border taxes.
Manufacturing hurdles and the path to price parity
Despite robust demand, the transition faces significant technical bottlenecks. Approximately 55 per cent of global natural fiber output remains dependent on capital-intensive mechanical processing, which contributes to a 15 per cent waste rate during extraction. Scaling precision fermentation and nanocellulose production to meet industrial volumes requires substantial infrastructure investment. However, firms utilizing in-house manufacturing and controlled inventory cycles are successfully protecting margins against the volatile costs of traditional luxury inputs like high-grade silk and zari. As processing technologies automate, the textile industry anticipates a gradual closing of the price gap between premium sustainable fibers and petroleum-based synthetics.
Driven by a projected market valuation of $48.01 billion by 2026, the next-generation natural fibers market is moving beyond traditional cotton and silk toward engineered bio-based alternatives. Materials such as mycelium-derived leather, bacterial cellulose, and regenerated fibers from post-consumer waste are now being integrated into the production cycles of major luxury and performance brands. This shift is substantiated by a 10 per cent increase in sector investment during 2023, even as broader venture capital markets softened, signaling long-term institutional confidence in sustainable raw material.
Regulatory mandates accelerate material substitution
Compliance requirements are increasingly dictating textile sourcing strategies. The European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which bans the destruction of unsold apparel starting in 2026, is forcing manufacturers to adopt circular design principles. Furthermore, proposed legislation like the New York Fashion Act is compelling brands with revenues exceeding $100 million to implement rigorous supply chain mapping. To mitigate these pressures, industry leaders are securing long-term offtake agreements for bio-identical proteins and recycled cellulose, effectively de-risking their portfolios against rising chemical restrictions and potential carbon border taxes.
Manufacturing hurdles and the path to price parity
Despite robust demand, the transition faces significant technical bottlenecks. Approximately 55 per cent of global natural fiber output remains dependent on capital-intensive mechanical processing, which contributes to a 15 per cent waste rate during extraction. Scaling precision fermentation and nanocellulose production to meet industrial volumes requires substantial infrastructure investment. However, firms utilizing in-house manufacturing and controlled inventory cycles are successfully protecting margins against the volatile costs of traditional luxury inputs like high-grade silk and zari. As processing technologies automate, the textile industry anticipates a gradual closing of the price gap between premium sustainable fibers and petroleum-based synthetics.
Urban Outfitters, Inc (URBN) reported a robust 9 per cent increase in total net sales in the final two months of 2025, spanning November-December 2025. Announced in January 2026, this performance was spearheaded by a 9 per cent comparable sales expansion at the Urban Outfitters brand and an 18 per cent growth in the FP Movement activewear label. While the broader apparel sector grappled with shifting consumer sentiment and new tariff complexities, URBN successfully leveraged a diversified multi-channel strategy, balancing high-growth digital engagement with a substantial brick-and-mortar expansion.
Strategic channel diversification and subscription scalability
A significant catalyst for URBN’s record holiday results was the continued acceleration of its Nuuly subscription rental segment, which saw net sales soar by 43 per cent. This growth was supported by a 41 per cent increase in active subscribers, illustrating a structural shift toward the circular economy and value-driven consumption. The company observed a distinct behavior where consumers delayed purchases in anticipation of seasonal events, noted Richard Hayne, CEO, URBN. To navigate this, it optimized its inventory and promotional timing, resulting in a 7 per cent increase in total Retail segment sales and a 13 per cent lift in Wholesale revenues, primarily driven by Free People’s strength in department store channels.
Capital expenditure and global footprint optimization
Unlike many competitors retrenching from physical retail, URBN executed an aggressive growth plan throughout 2025, opening 58 new locations while closing only seven. The strategy focused heavily on the Free People and FP Movement brands to capture the resilient demand for wellness-oriented apparel. By integrating localized store experiences with sophisticated AI-driven personalization, the group successfully mitigated ‘digital fatigue,’ a challenge cited by industry analysts as a primary barrier to conversion in 2026. This infrastructure investment, combined with a disciplined 304-basis-point improvement in gross profit rates earlier in the year, positions the company to maintain its momentum in a fragmented global market.
Urban Outfitters, Inc is a leading lifestyle retailer operating a global portfolio including Anthropologie, Free People, and Nuuly. Focusing on North American and European markets, the company continues to achieve record revenues, supported by a pivot toward subscription models and specialty activewear. Founded in 1970, URBN now maintains nearly 800 stores worldwide.
The global luxury retail landscape is undergoing a strategic shift toward high-concept, destination-based physical storefronts as brands move away from traditional wholesale reliance. Leading the charge, Roberto Cavalli recently inaugurated a 160-sq m boutique and atelier on Milan’s Via Santo Spirito, a move that integrates haute couture heritage with commercial accessibility. This opening reflects a broader industry trend where premium labels are investing in permanent flagship assets to command greater control over brand equity and margins. Market data suggests, while e-commerce remains a vital channel, luxury consumers still favor the sensory experience of brick-and-mortar locations, which currently account for nearly 75 per cent of high-end personal goods sales globally.
Strategic regional diversification and immersive experience
Beyond the traditional European strongholds, brands are deploying capital into high-growth Asian markets and experimental ‘pop-up’ formats in North America. Now its second largest global site-Loewe’s massive new flagship in Ginza, Tokyo demonstrates an aggressive play for Japanese market share, which analysts project will grow by 4 per cent annually through 2028. Simultaneously, Louis Vuitton is leveraging historical anniversaries to drive engagement through temporary experiential hubs, such as its hotel-inspired SoHo installation. These initiatives solve the challenge of digital fatigue by offering exclusive personalization services and repair ateliers, effectively transforming retail spaces from mere points of sale into comprehensive service centers.
The rise of independent premium labels
The Italian market is also seeing an influx of independent powerhouses like Polène, which recently secured a 343-sq-m footprint on Milan’s Via Manzoni. This expansion highlights the ‘premiumization’ of the leather goods sector, where mid-sized brands are competing directly with heritage houses for prime real estate. As retail vacancy rates in major fashion capitals remain low, the competition for prestigious addresses has intensified, forcing brands to adopt localized architectural narratives to resonate with sophisticated regional shoppers. This influx of capital into physical infrastructure underscores a collective industry confidence in the long-term viability of the luxury retail corridor.
Roberto Cavalli and Loewe represent the pinnacle of European craftsmanship, specializing in luxury apparel, leather goods, and home decor. These brands prioritize expansion in Tier-1 cities across EMEA and Asia, maintaining robust double-digit growth. Historically rooted in artisanal excellence, their current financial outlook remains positive, driven by high-margin accessories and direct retail dominance.
Having concluded on January 9, 2026, the National Textiles Ministers’ Conference has established a high-stakes framework to elevate India into a premier global textile authority. During the summit, Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, outlined an ambitious fiscal roadmap aiming for a $350 billion textile economy and $100 billion in annual exports by 2030. This strategy emphasizes a structural transition toward high-growth segments such as Man-Made Fiber (MMF) and technical textiles to diversify beyond the traditional cotton-dominant portfolio.
Regional integration and industrial scaling
A cornerstone of the new roadmap is the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) Plan, unveiled to convert 100 high-potential districts into global export champions. This initiative is designed to synchronize state-level investor policies with federal objectives, utilizing the PM-MITRA mega parks to achieve economies of scale. Minister Margherita underscored the North-Eastern region's pivotal role, noting it currently accounts for 52 per cent of India’s handloom production. By integrating regional craftsmanship with global value chains, the Ministry intends to brand indigenous textiles as a premium international category.
Sustainability and statistical governance
The conference also saw the launch of the Tex-RAMPS scheme, a Rs 305 crore initiative focused on enhancing the credibility of textile research and data monitoring through 2031. Furthermore, the release of ‘India’s Textile Atlas: State Compendium 2025’ provides a data-driven baseline for future infrastructure and technology upgrades. As the global market shifts toward ESG compliance, India is positioning its manufacturing clusters to adopt zero-liquid-discharge and green chemistry, securing a competitive edge in Western markets.
The Ministry of Textiles oversees the entire value chain from fiber production to retail exports. It currently manages the Rs 10,683 crore PLI scheme and seven PM-MITRA parks. Contributing 2.3 per cent to India’s GDP, the sector is undergoing a technology-led modernization to triple export volumes and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
The global apparel export landscape is entering a period of high-intensity volatility as manufacturers grapple with escalating trade barriers. Recent policy shifts in the United States, including a baseline 50 per cent tariff hike on key textile categories, have forced a structural reassessment of pricing models. For many exporters, the financial burden is no longer absorbable within existing 8 per cent–15 per cent margins. This has led to a defensive market posture where suppliers are front-loading shipments to hedge against further escalations, while simultaneously absorbing significant tariff costs to prevent long-term buyer attrition.
Competitive realignment and regional shifts
The imposition of reciprocal duties has catalyzed a rapid realignment of sourcing preferences. American retailers are increasingly diverting orders to nations like Vietnam and Bangladesh, where duty structures remain comparatively lower at 15 per cent–20 per cent. Consequently, industrial clusters that previously dominated specific niches, such as knitwear hubs, are reporting a 30 per cent growth in working capital requirements. To maintain factory utilization, manufacturers are diversifying into alternative markets - including the UK, UAE, and Germany - where recent free trade agreements offer a necessary, albeit partial, cushion against North American protectionism.
Strategic transition towards value-added segments
In response to these external pressures, the industry is transitioning from high-volume basic commodities to specialized, technical textiles and synthetic fibers. Rating agencies have revised the sector's outlook to negative, predicting a 200–300 basis point contraction in operating margins for the FY26. To mitigate this, firms are leveraging data-driven logistics and investing in integrated manufacturing parks to lower operational overheads. The current climate underscores a decisive shift: survival in the 2026 trade environment depends on localized supply chain resilience and the ability to navigate a fragmented global regulatory framework.
This labor-intensive sector serves as a cornerstone of global industrial output, employing millions across emerging economies. Specializing in ready-made garments, home textiles, and technical fabrics, the industry is currently undergoing a digital and sustainable transformation. With global exports valued at over $37 billion annually for lead players, companies are now prioritizing market diversification and high-margin product innovation to sustain long-term financial viability amidst rising geopolitical trade tensions.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has formally entered a knowledge partnership with the Bangladesh–China Green Textile Expo 2026, scheduled for May 14–16 in Dhaka. This strategic alliance with the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) and Savor International Limited arrives at a critical juncture. As Bangladesh prepares for its LDC graduation in 2026, the industry faces a potential 30 per cent decline in EU exports if it fails to align with emerging ESG mandates, specifically the European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS).
Industrial modernization and supply chain resilience
China currently anchors roughly 80 per cent of Bangladesh’s textile supply chain, providing the lion's share of machinery, man-made fibers (MMF), and chemical solutions. This partnership aims to transition that dependency into a collaboration for high-value growth. With global buyers increasingly demanding measurable carbon reductions, the expo will serve as a commercial bridge for the 240+ LEED-certified factories in Bangladesh to access next-generation Chinese water-efficiency and energy-saving systems.
Navigating fiscal headwinds and global compliance
The sector is currently navigating a complex fiscal landscape; RMG exports declined 2.63 per cent to $19.37 billion in H1, FY2025-26. To counteract this, industry leaders are prioritizing technical textiles and automation. Sajed Karim, Chairman-Trade Fair Committee, BGMEA, emphasized, this collaboration is less about volume and more about ‘future-ready’ manufacturing that can withstand tightening international environmental scrutiny.
BGMEA represents over 4,000 garment factories, driving 81.5 per cent of national export earnings. Under its ‘Sustainability Vision 2030,’ the association aims to reduce GHG emissions by 30 per cent and source 50 per cent of materials sustainably. Following a 9 per cent growth in FY24, the group is now focusing on transitioning from cotton to high-margin MMF apparel.
