One out of every five sweaters globally is produced in Dalan, Guangdong—a statistic cited by Sun Ruizhe, President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, at the 95th IWTO Congress. The event, hosted by the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) and co-organized by the China Wool Textile Association and the Dongguan Wool Textile Association, opened in Dalan on June 24, drawing industry representatives from over 20 countries.
Industry Data and Conference Focus
Dalan's woolen industry produces over 900 million garments annually, with total supply chain transactions exceeding 72 billion yuan. These figures reflect a complete ecosystem from raw material processing to design, manufacturing, and trade. The choice of Dalan as the venue is no coincidence—this Guangdong town has evolved over four decades, exporting to over 100 countries and embedding itself deeply in the global wool supply chain.
Deng Xiaoding, a second-level inspector from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, outlined four directions: building a shared industry language through standards, driving digital transformation via innovation, showcasing natural fiber value through green practices, and fostering mutual benefits through openness. These points encapsulate the congress's core agenda.
The IWTO Wool Green Paper: A Turning Point
The highlight of the congress was the global launch of the IWTO Wool Green Paper, seen as a critical tool for industry transformation. Dr. Paul Swan stated that the industry's core challenge is the deliberate exaggeration of wool's environmental impact in existing data, with younger urban consumers misinformed about livestock's role. The Green Paper aims to reshape the narrative and reclaim industry voice.
Francesco Botto noted that only a few companies have joined the Green Paper initiative, stressing the need for unified industry action and resource investment to build a traceability data system. Future plans include region-specific wool carbon footprint standards, durability criteria, and a natural fiber industry alliance. For buyers, this means environmental certification thresholds for wool products will tighten, favoring suppliers who invest early in carbon management.
Real Challenges in Global Supply Chains
Yang Zhaohua, Vice President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, highlighted a key issue: trade protectionism is disrupting supply chains, yet Dalan's industry shows strong resilience. This reflects real pressures—green barriers in major consumer markets, trade frictions, and rising consumer demands for sustainability.
Thanawat Tiensin, Assistant Director-General of the FAO, offered a broader perspective: behind every wool fiber is a farming family caring for livestock and land. This view reminds the industry that wool sustainability is not just about factory emissions but the entire chain from pasture to garment.
Youth Program and Industry Succession
The congress featured a Wool Youth Program, with dozens of young representatives from various countries introducing their business areas. Youth representative Jacques Ji explained the program's goal: to provide a platform for newcomers to build cross-border networks. This segment, though brief, signals IWTO's concern about industry talent gaps—wool is not just an ancient craft but a legacy requiring generational transfer.