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The October 2025 edition of PERFORMANCE DAYS will spotlight a topic that is vital for the future of the textile industry: the role of recyclers in an increasingly circular economy. Under the new Focus Topic “Textile to Textile – The Role of Recyclers”, the fair aims to provide in-depth insights into one of the most pressing challenges of the industry.

Within this topic PERFORMANCE DAYS presents an impressive selection of sustainable textiles and innovative material solutions. Current trends and developments reveal that Asia is leading in scaling and cost-efficiency for recycled yarns, especially polyester, while Europe relies more on mechanical recycling. Nordic countries are focusing increasingly on cellulose fibers, and the US is developing scalable solutions such as Ambercycle.
The variety of materials is remarkable: more than 50 recycled fabrics were reviewed, demonstrating that textile-to-textile recycling is making significant progress, particularly in performance and outer-layer materials. In the area of baselayers, recycled materials are still less common due to the challenges involved in recycling fine yarns.
Significant advances have also been made in design and quality. While early recycled fabrics often had limitations in hand-feel, elasticity, and aesthetics, today’s innovations deliver soft, elastic, and high-quality textiles without compromising appearance.
The market is clearly moving towards branded, scalable recycling concepts rather than isolated solutions. This highlights the trend toward standardized textile-to-textile recycling and shows that the industry is on its way to a more sustainable future.

When it comes to baselayers, the selection reflects a diverse and innovative approach to material blends. There are attractive combinations of wool and polyester, while pure 100% polyester options remain rare. The range also includes a variety of cellulose fibers such as Tencel, as well as wool blends and even a warpknit jacquard. The use of virgin elastane is being reconsidered and should be reduced, while truly recycled polyester remains scarce. Instead, the focus is shifting toward a wider range of natural blends that offer a wool-like handfeel and excellent thermal regulation. These developments show how the baselayer segment is evolving to balance sustainability with comfort and performance.

The midlayer category presented a variety of developments, with a clear emphasis on compact, versatile fabrics suited for sports and outdoor use. Notable innovations include compact-structured fabrics offering adaptability for high-performance midlayers.

Polyester blends continue to dominate, alongside new surfaces such as printed polypropylene. Bio-based and recyclable fibers are also gaining prominence, with new yarns such as bio-based PLA attracting attention. The recyclability of such materials is an ongoing focus, reflecting growing interest in transparency and sustainable design.

Performance features such as shedding resistance were highlighted, with varying approaches to claims around “near zero micro-shedding.” Overall, the midlayer category illustrates a balance of technical performance, material innovation, and sustainability, in line with evolving demands in the sportswear and outdoor sector.

The F/W 2027/28 Softshell category presented a balanced mix of polyester and polyamide fabrics, with natural fibers playing a smaller role. A highlight came from Fujian, with a recycled nylon-spandex softshell featuring a RWS certified wool innerlayer. This blend delivers natural warmth, insulation, and softness, combining technical performance with sustainable innovation — reflecting the category’s focus on versatility, comfort, and eco-conscious solutions.

The 2.5‑ and 3‑layer segment showed a strong focus on recycled fibers and well-balanced surfaces and structures, offering a wide variety of options for diverse fabric needs. Key developments include monocomponent constructions, innovative surfaces, textile-to-textile (T2T) polyester solutions, a broad range of ultralight weights, lightweight biobased nylon, and advanced hydrophilic membranes.

A notable example is an ultralight 3‑layer fabric weighing 53 g/m², combining high protection with minimal weight. This fabric features a second-generation 7 μm TPU membrane that is DMF- and PFA-free, offering 30,000 mm waterproofness and 20,000 g/m²/24h breathability. With a C0 S-DWR finish, it provides durable water repellency even after 100 washes, ensuring lasting dryness and comfort without the sticky feel typical of some hydrophilic membranes.

The 2‑layer segment showed both progress and ongoing challenges. Compared to previous seasons, there was a reduced variety of membranes and surface options. An increased use of polypropylene membranes was observed, reflecting developments in material performance. Hydrophilic membrane options are available, though innovation in this area remains limited. Greater transparency, including clearer labeling of PET adhesives, continues to be an important need.

Advancements in PET membranes were noted, particularly improvements in softness and hand feel. However, high-performance ski fabrics were less prominent this season. Durable membrane solutions remain a key focus, alongside the development of lightweight constructions and innovative jacket concepts. These trends highlight the ongoing priorities of combining durability with recyclability within the evolving two-layer segment.

The discussion on the lightweight and down-proof fabric category revealed a truly diverse range of innovations, with the majority of the jury expressing strong appreciation for the selection. A standout trend was the emergence of extremely light fabrics, including a remarkable 7D material weighing just 22 g/m². State-of-the-art 7-denier multifilament yarns, such as those from Green Threads, showcased both innovation and craftsmanship, offering exceptional lightness without compromising performance.

Particularly noteworthy was FY 2570 C0 BC — a 100% recycled nylon fabric (7d × 7d, 22 g/m²) with a cire finish on the backside for superior down-proof performance. This high-density, ultralight material is entirely woven and dyed in Japan, exemplifying both quality and precision. The discussion also highlighted bio-based lightweight nylons and other novel materials, underscoring significant advancements and a clear focus on marrying sustainability with high performance in this category.

The F/W 2027/28 season reveals notable developments in shirt materials, including a renewed interest in pure polyester and increasing attention to moving seersucker fabrics, particularly in Asia. A shift toward natural fiber blends is also evident.

Innovations include a lightweight bio-based polo and a paper fabric, offering fresh inspiration for future designs. Other developments feature the use of rice shells in polyester for outdoor applications and paper yarns made from abaca, valued for their antibacterial and quick-drying properties.

Challenges in sourcing flannels were noted, alongside the withdrawal of seawool due to misleading claims, underscoring the importance of transparent labeling. Overall, the shirt materials category reflects a growing emphasis on innovative fabric technologies, sustainability, and evolving balances between synthetic and natural fibers, pointing toward a diverse landscape for upcoming seasons.

Current trends in the pants and tights market highlight lightweight fabrics, versatile structures, and a growing mix of woven-look knits and high-quality high quality tight materials. Polyamides remain dominant, with innovations from suppliers such as Fujian Honggang and Ekoten Technic focusing on recycled polyamides and bio-based spandex. While sustainability gains momentum, there is still strong demand for a broader range of winter-appropriate fabrics, underscoring opportunities for texture innovation and functional development in the category.

Fashion presented a refined mix of performance, texture, and sustainability with a subtle, stylish approach. Highlights included high-density Ventile® cotton, durable polyamides, and fabrics with two-sided effects and soft memory shades, ranging from peach nylon and lightweight gloss finishes to velours, velvet surfaces, and Cordura optics. A standout was a blending Topgreen™ recycled polyester to reduce textile waste and carbon emissions while offering a cotton-like touch, mechanical stretch, and moisture management — ideal for hoodies and jackets that merge style, performance, and sustainability. Another key innovation was Ventile® L24 Org, a tightly woven 100% organic cotton fabric with a PFC-free water-repellent finish, offering wind and weather protection for outdoor apparel, fashion, bags, and footwear — a prime example of functional, conscious design.

Like last season, the workwear range offered a practical and focused selection rather than radical innovation, reflecting the needs of the workwear and protective apparel sector. The range included essential solutions such as flame-retardant fabrics, reinforcements, cut-proof textiles, and high-vis materials, that offer proven functionality and durability for demanding applications, with several products incorporating recycled qualities.
Particularly noteworthy was the progress in waterless high-visibility dyeing, representing an important step toward sustainability without compromising performance. The selection underlined the ongoing importance of balancing safety, performance, and sustainability. Looking ahead, there is potential for the category to evolve further — perhaps by actively engaging workwear brands and curating a broader, more diverse range of products to inspire both functional and fashion-focused applications.

The F/W 2027/28 packs & bags category offered a varied and inspiring selection, earning praise from the jury for its quality and innovation. The range highlighted a strong focus on durable and sustainable materials, combining functionality with contemporary design.

Standout materials included robust manila hemp, organic cotton, and carbon capture polyester, alongside natural fibers and innovative solutions such as T2T nonwovens and Net Zero yarns. Recycled qualities were well represented, reflecting the growing demand for circular solutions. Other highlights included technical innovations such as Kevlar with reflective yarn, spacer knits, and 3D mesh water-repellent fabrics — combining strength, performance, and practicality. The selection was further enriched by appealing colors and thoughtful design, underlining how sustainability and style are increasingly merging in the packs & bags category.