In Shaoxing Keqiao, a fabric evaluation is quietly reshaping the competitive logic of the regional industry. On July 24, the second phase of the 2026 'Keqiao Selection' evaluation concluded, with 1,072 fabrics submitted. The data behind this event reflects Keqiao textile's transformation from 'quantity' to 'quality'.
Evaluation Standards Upgrade: Quantitative Metrics Become Hard Thresholds
The evaluation was led by the Productivity Promotion Department of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, in collaboration with the China Textile Information Center and the Textile Product Development Center. The evaluation system covers five dimensions: fashion creativity, technological innovation, ecological protection, product quality, and market application. However, the most noteworthy change is the significantly increased weight of quantitative indicators such as safety certification, production capacity, functional verification, and environmental certification. This shift from subjective aesthetic scoring to data-driven objective assessment means that for buyers, the quality endorsement of selected products will be more credible.
A total of 195 companies participated, with products ranging from apparel fabrics to home textiles and sportswear. Fashion fabrics dominated, accounting for 75% of submissions, while tech and green fabrics combined for 25%. Although this ratio reflects traditional strengths, it also hints at growth potential in the latter two categories. Multiple experts at the scene noted that the overall quality of tech fabrics has significantly improved, rapidly narrowing the gap with fashion fabrics.
Industry Impact: Tech Fabrics Rise, Testing Gaps Remain
Tech fabrics were a highlight of this evaluation. Differentiated materials such as micro-denier fibers, graphene-modified fibers, hollow fibers, and cooling fibers were widely used, covering functions like moisture absorption, warmth retention, UV protection, and anti-transparency. Chen Baojian, Deputy Director of the Textile Product Development Center, stated that the overall quality of sportswear and tech fabrics has 'significantly improved,' gradually closing the gap with fashion fabrics. For downstream brand buyers, this means Keqiao is no longer just a hub for aesthetically pleasing fabrics but is also capable of providing high-performance solutions for outdoor, sportswear, and workwear applications.
However, shortcomings remain. Several judges pointed out that some fabrics lacked complete testing documentation and functional parameters. Chen Ling, Deputy Director of the China Textile City Creative Industry Service Center, noted that 'some fabrics had incomplete test reports.' In an era where brands increasingly rely on third-party test reports for purchasing decisions, this flaw could directly undermine market competitiveness. For Keqiao fabric companies, filling the testing gap is not just about passing the evaluation but about securing a 'ticket' to high-end brand supply chains.
Green Fabrics: Diverse Materials, but Need Systematic Promotion
Green fabric categories showcased a broader range of materials and more innovative development approaches in this evaluation. Fibers such as recycled polyester-nylon, Lyocell, cupro, hemp, Naia™, and Yansel® were widely used, combined with salt-free and water-saving dyeing processes, embedding environmental concepts into all stages of product development. Zhang Qifeng, Head of Material Development at Eral Apparel Co., Ltd., specifically mentioned that kapok fiber products exhibited excellent hand feel compared to traditional natural fiber eco-friendly fabrics, offering high market application value.
However, Duan Furong, Head of the Research Institute at Baoxiniao Holdings, made a sharp suggestion: sustainability should be set as a mandatory basic requirement for participation, pushing for deeper integration of fashion, tech, and green dimensions. This implies that in the future, 'Keqiao Selection' may no longer treat green as a bonus but as a prerequisite. For factories, investment in eco-friendly processes will shift from 'optional' to 'mandatory.'
Brand Matching and Trade Shows: A Closed Loop from Evaluation to Market
Selected companies will receive three types of resource support: permanent online showroom display, three targeted brand matching events, and promotional opportunities at major domestic and international trade shows, including the China International Textile Fabrics & Accessories (Autumn/Winter) Expo, the Munich Performance Days, and the Asia Pacific Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Expo & Summit. This 'evaluation + matching + trade show' closed-loop model is upgrading 'Keqiao Selection' from a regional brand to a trust label in global procurement chains.
For buyers, this means more efficient screening of fabric suppliers with production capacity and international standards compliance. For Keqiao companies, it is both an opportunity for brand premium and a driving force to fill gaps in R&D, testing, and environmental protection.