The Spring Edition of Functional Textiles Shanghai by Performance Days took place from 11-12 March 2025 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, Shanghai, China. It was the busiest edition to date, with more than 6,800 suppliers and decision makers in China’s functional textiles industry visiting.  The event corresponded with the Spring Edition of Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics.

Charles Ross – a specialist in performance sportswear design & sustainable matters, lecturer at the Royal College of Art, London, UK and a moderator at Performance Days noted that attendees seemed more hopeful about the industry.

Ross said: “In Asia, and especially China, the middle-class is growing rapidly and they are buying more products that enable them to both feel proud of their appearance, but also more comfortable in their clothing. This enables them to venture into sports and the outdoor with greater ease.”

The sports industry order volume in China is expected to reach US$770bn in 2025, according to Performance Days. The event so forth, aimed to bring more fashion and casual brands together to share ideas on functional textiles in their collections.

The importance of aesthetic
Ross observed membranes as a key trend during the