One in five sweaters worldwide comes from Dalang, a town in Guangdong's Dongguan. On June 24, it hosted the 95th IWTO Congress, gathering delegates from over 20 countries. The release of the IWTO Wool Green Paper became a key benchmark for assessing the industry's transformation direction.
Supply Chain Logic Behind the Data
After four decades of development, Dalang has built a complete ecosystem from raw material processing to finished product design. Official data shows the town produces over 900 million garments annually, with a full-industry-chain transaction value exceeding 72 billion RMB. This means Dalang is not just a production node but a hub of the global wool supply chain.
More notably, China holds the world’s largest wool processing capacity, importing large volumes of raw wool while exporting various wool products. This two-way flow makes China’s wool industry an indispensable stabilizer in the global supply chain. As trade protectionism rises, Dalang’s resilience stands out—driven by smart manufacturing and green upgrades to traditional capacity.
Anxiety Behind the Green Paper
The Wool Green Paper is not a routine technical document. During its release, experts pointed out a core challenge: existing data deliberately exaggerates wool’s negative environmental impact, while younger urban generations, influenced by one-sided narratives, view animal husbandry as environmentally harmful. The industry has invested heavily but struggles to reverse this misinformation.
The Green Paper aims to address this crisis by establishing a unified traceability data system across the entire chain and creating region-specific carbon footprint accounting standards. Currently, only a few enterprises participate, requiring global unified advocacy and resource commitment. This means the green transition of the wool industry is not just a technical issue but a battle for narrative control.
From OEM to Brand: Dalang’s Transformation Model
Dalang’s wool industry started with OEM production and is now accelerating toward branding and smart upgrades. During the conference, local authorities explicitly outlined plans to empower the industry through technology, culture, and green initiatives, inviting global partners to deepen cooperation in raw materials, technology, branding, and platforms.
This transformation is not isolated. Sun Ruizhe, President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, noted in his keynote that the wool industry carries the essence of quality, value, and brand power in textiles, making it a battleground for global fashion houses. For Dalang, moving from OEM to cultural empowerment and independent brands means a shift in supply chain influence.
Youth Power and Industry Heritage
A notable detail of the congress was the dedicated session for the Wool Young Professionals program. Youth representatives emphasized that the platform aims to help newcomers cross geographical boundaries, build networks, and consolidate industry strength. Dozens of young professionals from various countries introduced themselves, covering fields from raw material sourcing to retail.
This intergenerational mechanism reflects the industry’s concern about talent gaps. As traditional skills meet digital waves, engaging younger generations in this ancient craft has become a global challenge.