Dalan Wool Conference Signals Green Transformation and Global Collaboration as Core Themes

One out of every five sweaters globally is produced in Dalan, Dongguan. This woolen textile hub, with an annual garment output exceeding 900 million pieces and a total supply chain transaction volume surpassing 72 billion yuan, hosted the opening of the 95th International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO) Congress on June 24. Organized by IWTO and co-hosted by the China Wool Textile Association and Dongguan Wool Textile Association, the event sent multiple signals regarding green transformation, supply chain reshaping, and standard co-building in the global wool industry.

Green Transformation and Data Traceability: The Wool Green Paper as a Key Lever

The most anticipated agenda item was the global launch of the IWTO Wool Green Paper. This document is not merely an industry report but was positioned by experts as a 'key lever' for industrial transformation. Francesco Botto noted at the launch that only a few enterprises are currently involved in building a unified traceability data system, while the fight for policy influence in the EU and the customization of wool carbon footprint accounting standards require industry-wide investment and collaboration. Dr. Paul Swan revealed a deeper pain point: existing data deliberately exaggerates wool's negative environmental impact, and a generation of urban youth, influenced by one-sided messaging, generally believes livestock farming poses environmental problems. The Green Paper marks the industry's starting point for proactively taking control of the narrative and reshaping positive messaging.

This implies that the wool industry is shifting from passively responding to environmental criticism to actively building infrastructure such as carbon footprint accounting and durability standards. For buyers, whether a supplier possesses traceable green data capabilities may become a more critical screening threshold than price in the future.

The Dalan Model: From OEM to a Global Woolen Innovation Hub

The 40-year development trajectory of Dalan's wool textile industry is a microcosm of China's textile sector integrating into the global supply chain. Dalan Party Secretary Dong Tie emphasized in his speech that Dalan's products are exported to over 100 countries and that the town is deepening its transformation towards intelligent, green, and brand-oriented development, laying out new industrial platforms. Dongguan CPPCC Vice Chairman Qu Hongqi further noted that Dalan started from OEM production, moved through cultural empowerment, and has now entered the stage of developing its own brands. The congress being held here is a testament to its manufacturing strength and development potential.

In his keynote report, Sun Ruizhe, President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, provided key figures: Dalan's annual garment output exceeds 900 million pieces, and the entire supply chain's annual transaction volume surpasses 72 billion yuan. These numbers reflect the power of open cooperation and industrial clustering. Amidst the impact of trade protectionism on global supply chains, Dalan's industry has demonstrated strong resilience. Deng Xiaoding, a second-level inspector from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Consumer Goods Industry Department, echoed this by outlining four dimensions—standards, innovation, green development, and openness—for the upgrade path of Dalan and China's wool textile industry.

Global Collaboration: Addressing Challenges and Reshaping Industry Narrative

The congress gathered representatives from over 20 countries and regions, covering the entire chain from raw materials to finished garments. IWTO President Klaus Steger pointed out that wool is not only a core textile material but also carries complex challenges related to trade, politics, and the environment. Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director-General of the FAO, via a video address, connected wool fibers to the livelihoods of pastoral families and land stewardship, calling on the industry to recognize the human and natural context behind wool.

This narrative shift is significant. As consumers increasingly care about the environmental and social impact of products, the wool industry needs to tell a complete story from pasture to wardrobe. The 'platform + workshop + school' model for highland yak wool shared by Zhuoma, founder of Tibet Zhuofanlin Cultural Co., is a practical case of combining intangible cultural heritage techniques with a sustainable supply chain.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - Prioritize suppliers with carbon footprint accounting capabilities. Following the Green Paper's release, traceable green data will become a threshold for international orders. - Favor wool enterprises participating in the industry's traceability system; these suppliers have a first-mover advantage in complying with EU market policies. - Include 'green narrative capability' in supplier evaluations. Factories that can tell a complete story from pasture to garment—including environmental and social aspects—are more likely to attract brand clients.

For Foreign Trade Enterprises - Proactively engage with IWTO and the China Wool Textile Association's pilot projects on carbon footprint accounting standards to prepare for EU green trade barriers. - Leverage the clustering effect of industrial hubs like Dalan to establish deep collaborations with partners in raw materials, technology, and branding, reducing exposure to single-market risks. - In overseas marketing materials, highlight wool's natural fiber properties and biodegradability, using scientific data from the Green Paper to counter negative perceptions among younger consumers regarding livestock farming.