The GREENEXT Expo 2025, held over two days on September 26-27, 2025 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, not merely as a showcase, but as a crucial nexus for turning green ideals into profitable, scalable business models. Attracting 5,022 attendees and featuring solutions from over 120 enterprises, the event championed a model defined by Sustainability Innovation × Cross-Sector Collaboration × Business.

From 'Why' to 'How': A call for tangible solutions

The Expo's central message—that sustainability has moved past debate into execution—was articulated by Dr. Hong Zheng, Founder of GREENEXT, in her rousing keynote, “Sustainability is a journey carried by tangible solutions—from product design to business models, from technological innovation to cultural expression, transforming green ideals into perceptible, tangible, and communicable practices,” Dr. Zheng stated.

The focus was sharp: transitioning the discussion from a philosophical "why" to a practical "how." The event targeted four critical commercial scenarios essential for driving China's green economy forward: Urban Regeneration, Global Expansion (building trust in cross-border supply chains), Technological Innovation (unleashing youth creativity), and embedding Public Good for enduring business competitiveness. “Our shared mission is to ensure businesses thrive sustainably while fostering an enduringly prosperous planet", emphasied Dr. Hong Zheng.

The Six Zones: Where fashion meets regenerative farms

The exhibition floor mapped out the full spectrum of the sustainable value chain across six dedicated thematic zones, offering more than 200 case studies.

● The Fashion Forward zone directly confronted the textile industry's high-impact footprint, showcasing everything from green raw materials to smart manufacturing. Leading brands like adidas and the Ellassay Group presented innovative pathways toward circular fashion.

● Living Earth connected consumers directly to nature, spotlighting regenerative agriculture and responsible sourcing. Exhibitors like The Macallan detailed transparent supply chains—from “field to bottle”—rediscovering the value of green raw materials in daily life.

● The Green for Next zone focused on corporate transformation, with giants such as HKRI Taikoo Hui and Tencent CarbonXmade showcasing solutions for carbon auditing, green investment, and building resilient circular systems.

Global dialogue and the new aesthetic of luxury

The conference track was a cornerstone of the Expo, featuring 183 global experts across 77 events, including a series of high-level panel discussions.

The dialogue extended beyond traditional environmental topics to redefine commercial value. Ruifang Ding of HKRI Taikoo Hui captured this new paradigm perfectly, introducing the concept of "The Third Aesthetic of Commercial Spaces: Making Sustainability the New Luxury," offering fresh perspectives for the green transformation of commercial real estate. Meanwhile, the presence of consuls from Nordic nations like Finland, Norway, Belgium, and Denmark underscored the Expo's commitment to Global Collaboration in solving complex supply chain and regulatory challenges.

Initiatives for Tomorrow: Youth, funds, and philanthropy

GREENEXT 2025 cemented its commitment to a sustainable future with several significant launches and awards.

At the Innovation Hub, the official release of the Youth Action Guide for Sustainable Development aimed to mobilize the next generation of innovators. Further underlining the blend of commerce and altruism, the Shanghai Population Welfare Foundation Sustainable Development Fund was jointly announced, promoting the integration of philanthropy and corporate sustainability. The event also celebrated industry leaders at the Global Sustainable Fashion Consumption Industry Pioneer Awards Ceremony.

The human element was profoundly felt at the opening, featuring a heartfelt drum performance by the Love.Disabilities.Love charity initiative and a circular fashion charity dance led by Ambassador Flora Zeta Cheong-Leen, powerfully showcasing social value.

The Sustainable Journey: Public engagement goes interactive

Beyond the halls of commerce and conference, the Expo captivated the public with its specially curated "Sustainable Journey." This immersive route combined art and technology, encouraging visitors to participate in hands-on activities to earn "sustainable rewards."

Highlights included the Climate Fresk workshop, adidas’ Clothes Recycling Green Initiative, and the engaging Plateau × Ocean × City Recycled Plastic Workshop, which transformed complex issues into accessible, hands-on experiences.

GREENEXT Expo 2025 successfully transitioned the dialogue from aspiration to activation, confirming its status as a vital platform for sustainable development in China. Preparations are already underway for the 2026 event, promising to deepen the commitment to co-creating a greener tomorrow.