Intended transaction volume of 3.6 billion yuan, 35,000 buyers, nearly 2,000 exhibitors—these are the results of Dalan's first 'three-in-one' event combining the International Wool Conference, the Zhi Jiao Hui, and the Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference. Buyer numbers and intended transaction volume rose 16% and 18.5% year-on-year respectively. The data speaks volumes: when a traditional industry meets exhibition economy and cultural heritage, chemistry happens.
Commercial Density and Order Conversion
During the event, major domestic brands like Huimei Fashion, UR, and SHEIN sent sourcing teams, while buyers from over 20 countries and regions including Russia, France, and Poland crossed oceans to attend. Two dedicated matchmaking sessions generated 50 million yuan in intended orders: the 'Dalan Knitwear-Brand Apparel Sourcing Matchmaking' secured over 20 cooperation agreements worth 30 million yuan, and the 'Chain Up Dalan, Weaving the Future' session added another 20 million yuan. The double-digit growth in buyers and deal volume indicates Dalan's rising bargaining power in the global wool knitwear supply chain.
For buyers, this centralized matchmaking reduces the time cost of finding suppliers and shortens the cycle from design to production. For factories, higher order density improves capacity utilization, especially under the small-order, quick-response model where flexible production lines become more valuable.
Technology Evolution: From Functional Fabrics to Smart Production
Functional knitwear took center stage at the exhibition. Waterproof, stain-resistant, anti-static, phase-change temperature-regulating, Japanese-certified cooling yarns, and breakthrough fireproofing techniques—these are no longer lab concepts but mass-displayed products. The adoption of whole-garment knitting technology allows 3D digital modeling to replace traditional, labor-intensive pattern-making, while flexible production lines meet brands' demand for small orders and quick turnaround.
Behind these technologies lies a shift in cost structure. Whole-garment knitting reduces labor input in cutting and sewing, making it ideal for high-value-added functional products. For foreign trade companies, this means greater flexibility in meeting clients' demands for both delivery time and complex craftsmanship.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Empowerment and Green Consensus
The inclusion of the 10th Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference added cultural depth to the hardcore industry exhibition. Designer Wang Dong collaborated with local enterprises to embroider intangible cultural heritage inheritor Wan Gongxue's qilin patterns into 36 original fashion pieces, from design to garment production all completed in Dalan. Special 'Weave·Core' and 'Weave·Soul' zones displayed works like 'Colorful Auspicious Cloud Dragon' made from yarn collage, reviving traditional Lingnan culture through modern stitches.
Meanwhile, the International Wool Textile Organization launched the Wool Green Paper globally in Dalan, covering regenerative grazing and traceability systems, providing a roadmap for the industry's green transition. Representatives from over 20 countries discussed supply chain collaboration and high-quality industrial development, with multiple agreements signed on intangible cultural heritage standards and innovation integration. Green transformation is no longer just a slogan but is being translated into enforceable supply chain rules.
Practical Recommendations
For Buyers - Prioritize suppliers contacted during the event, leveraging small-order, quick-response capabilities to test new-season functional knitwear market response. - Focus on whole-garment knitting technology suppliers, as they typically offer better delivery stability than traditional process factories.
For Foreign Trade Companies - Incorporate traceability standards from the Wool Green Paper into supplier evaluation systems, preparing for stricter environmental compliance checks in European and American markets. - Take advantage of the construction window for Dalan's 'Factory-to-Industrial Park' projects and 'Dalan Weaving Valley' to establish long-term partnerships with local parks, reducing logistics and communication costs.
Dalan's 'three-in-one' event is not a simple activity overlay but a systematic industrial upgrade initiative integrating international industry discourse power, full-chain exhibition, and cultural branding. The 3.6 billion yuan is just the starting point; whether the goal of a 100-billion-yuan industry cluster can be achieved depends on the execution speed of digitalization, intelligence, and branding transformation.