Cinte Techtextil China 2026 concluded successfully at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 1–3 September, bringing together more than 300 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions across 32,000 sqm. The event recorded nearly 19,000 visits from an international audience representing 86 markets.
The 2026 edition focused on key application sectors including automotive, medical and protective, and industrial textiles, alongside developments in sustainability, innovation and advanced technical textile and nonwoven solutions.
The organisers said the fair provided opportunities for business connections and knowledge exchange as the industry continues to respond to a complex economic environment.
“Unlocking growth in today’s evolving market requires connecting with the right chances at the right time,” said Ms Wilmet Shea, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. “We intentionally designed this edition to mirror actual demand, from featuring high-growth applications and trends to optimising global matchmaking. The positive momentum seen over the three days proved this strategy is paying off, and Cinte Techtextil China remains an essential engine for industry advancement and business expansion in Asia.”
International exhibitors showcase technical textile innovations
The 2026 edition included debut exhibitors and suppliers from Bangladesh, India, Singapore, Thailand and Türkiye, adding to participation from Asia, Europe and North America.
The European and German Zones featured companies including Graf + Cie from Switzerland in Medtech and Geotech, Ibena from Germany in Protech, Mahlo from Germany across applications, Monosuisse Group from Switzerland in Indutech and Mobiltech, and Reifenhauser Group from Germany across applications.
First-time participant Tepar Tekstil from Türkiye presented its DURAFIL™ fabric for Sporttech applications. Other European exhibitors, including A.CELLI from Italy, Andritz from France, Groz-Beckert from Germany and Picanol from Belgium, showcased machinery, digital technologies and nonwoven production solutions.
Product innovation was also represented by Nippon Paper Industries from Japan, which presented Cu-TOP, a paper textile material combining pulp technology with copper functionality. US-based Wintriss Engineering demonstrated its Web Ranger online AI-incorporated surface defect inspection system.
Other participants included Korea-based JR Ltd with its deodorant fibre, along with new exhibitors Care Holdings from Singapore, IMAE Industries from Japan and Texbond Nonwovens from India. The exhibition also featured exhibitors from the Textile Chemicals and Dyes Zone.
China’s technical textile capabilities were represented across the Mobiltech Zone, domestic pavilions and companies including Shanghai Shenda and Tiandingfeng Nonwovens.
The Association Village brought together four organisations from India, Thailand and the UK to support cross-border networking and market connections.
Exhibitors highlight business and market opportunities
Mr Kabilen Sornum, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Marketing & Digital, Groz-Beckert East Asia, Singapore, said the company used the fair to showcase its latest nonwovens and knitting solutions and engage with players across the textile value chain.
He noted that discussions around Indutech, Medtech, Protech and Mobiltech, together with the fringe programme, helped the company understand industry developments, customer needs and opportunities beyond its existing product portfolio.
Mr Justin Lund, Overseas Sales Representative, IMAE Industries Ltd, Japan, said the company exhibited overseas for the first time at Cinte Techtextil China. He said the company connected with new customers and suppliers, with visitors mainly from Mainland China, Korea and India.
Ms Maggie Zhang, Sales Manager, Zhejiang Hontex New Materials Co Ltd, China, said the company’s PVC coated fabrics serve automotive, medical and construction applications. She noted interest from Middle Eastern clients as well as prospective leads from Europe and the US, alongside Chinese buyers.
International buyer participation expands
The exhibition attracted overseas visitors from markets including Bangladesh, Colombia, Cuba, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Pakistan and Thailand.
More than 80 VIP buyers from 27 countries and regions, along with domestic buyers, sourced products at the fair. Some buyers used the exhibition’s business matching services to identify high-performance products for different end uses.
Leading buyers represented several application areas. Mobiltech participants included Changan Ford Automobile, Hyundai Motor, Nexform, NEXTEV, SAIC Volkswagen New Energy Vehicle Branch and ZF Asia Pacific Automotive Safety Systems (Shanghai).
Medtech buyers included Hengan International Group, Kimberly-Clark (China), Meditec Japan, Unicharm, Winner Medical and Yunnan Baiyao Group Wuxi Pharmaceutical.
Protech buyers included Dumit (Shanghai) Protection Technology, Honeywell Safety Products (Shanghai), JUTEC Hitzeschutz und Isoliertechnik, LAKELAND (BEIJING) SAFETY PRODUCTS and SEES GLOBAL.
Buildtech and Indutech buyers included China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Shanghai, Deltamove Engineering, Nolan Group, Shanghai Building Decoration Engineering Group and Sinochem International. Sporttech buyers included NIKE and Under Armour.
Other participating buyers included MayAir Technology (China) and Vinda Paper (China).
Visitors explore machinery, materials and technical solutions
Mr Jiraphat Punyachodtumrong, Procurement Manager, Silver Sport International Co Ltd, Thailand, said he attended the fair to source garment production equipment, fabrics and accessories while exploring medical product partnerships. He said he collected samples and price quotations and was particularly interested in new nonwoven machinery.
Mr Xia Yanmao, Market Development Department Deputy Minister, Jiangsu Aoshen Hi-tech Material Co LTD, China, said his focus was on flame-retardant fibre developments for firefighting and industrial protection.
He also highlighted technologies related to high-temperature modification and the Industrial Textiles display zone linked to the 15th Five Year Plan.
Fringe programme addresses industry developments
Cinte Techtextil China 2026 also featured panels, conferences, guided tours and display areas covering developments in nonwovens and technical textiles.
Key discussions addressed smart and sustainable solutions, innovation and changes across global supply chains. Major sessions included the Asia International Hemp Federation and automotive textile panels, as well as the 2026 Nonwovens Industry High-Quality Development Conference.
At the nonwovens conference, Ms Li Guimei, Chairperson of the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association, outlined several development drivers for the sector. These included technological innovation for high-end breakthroughs, green transformation, AI-enabled operating models, deeper application integration and optimised industrial structures for high-value growth.
Ms Sharon Deidre Leyson, Secretary-General, Asia International Hemp Federation, Thailand, who moderated the panel discussion “Industrial Hemp Fibre – Building the Future of Sustainable Materials”, said industrial hemp has potential as a material for future applications.
She said Cinte Techtextil China provided a platform focused on technical applications and sustainability, while the Association Village supported international collaboration.
Next edition scheduled for 2027
Cinte Techtextil China covers 12 application areas across technical textiles and nonwovens, spanning upstream technologies and raw materials through to finished fabrics, chemicals and other solutions.
The next edition of Cinte Techtextil China will take place from 31 August to 2 September 2027.
The fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd; the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT; and the China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA).