Keqiao Fabric Selection Signals Shift: Tech & Green Categories at 25% but Gaining Influence Fast

Seventy-five percent of the submitted fabrics are fashion-oriented, while tech and green categories together account for just a quarter. Yet, feedback from brand-side judges indicates that the pace of technological advancement in the latter two is reshaping Keqiao's market weight. On July 24, the second round of the 2026 'Keqiao Preferred' selection was completed in Shaoxing's Keqiao district, with 195 companies submitting 1,072 fabric samples for evaluation by 13 experts from institutions including the China National Textile and Apparel Council, Saint Angelo, Eral, and Zhuoshuo Fashion.

This year, the evaluation system made a critical adjustment: beyond traditional dimensions like fashion creativity, tech innovation, eco-friendliness, product quality, and market application, it significantly increased the weight of quantifiable indicators such as product safety, mass production capability, functional verification, and environmental certification. This means that 'looking good' is no longer enough—buyers demand replicable, verifiable, and traceable supply capabilities.

Tech and Green Fabrics: From Supporting Role to Parallel Track

In the tech fabric category, differentiated raw materials such as micro-denier fibers, graphene-modified fibers, hollow fibers, and cooling fibers are widely used, covering functions from moisture absorption and warmth retention to UV protection and anti-transparency, spanning scenarios from professional sports to daily wear. Duan Furong, head of Saint Angelo's research institute, noted on site that some tech fabrics already have the potential to become market hits, and suggested making sustainable green certification a mandatory hard requirement to drive deep integration across the three categories.

In the green fabric segment, recycled polyester-nylon, Lyocell, cupro, hemp, Naia™, and Yasal® fibers are widely applied, paired with salt-free, low-water dyeing processes, extending environmental protection from raw materials to production. Zhang Qifeng, material development director at Eral, specifically mentioned that kapok fiber products outperform traditional eco-friendly fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, and wool in hand feel, offering high market application value.

However, a common issue emerged: incomplete testing documentation from some companies. Chen Ling, deputy director of the China Textile City Creative Industry Service Center, pointed out that while fashion fabrics generally excel in appearance, missing supporting test files can directly derail brand procurement decisions. Chen Baojian, deputy director of the Textile Product Development Center, advised companies to complete functional parameter testing information to enable more intuitive assessment of material, performance, and craftsmanship.

Industrial Logic Behind the Selection: From 'Display' to 'Match'

'Keqiao Preferred' is a regional textile public brand that Keqiao district has built over years. But the most significant change this year is that the evaluation criteria have shifted from 'selecting good products' to 'screening purchasable suppliers.' Ye Fei, assistant general manager of Zhejiang Jiyou Technology, suggested that future rounds could segment the competition by sub-categories such as light sportswear, outdoor gear, and yoga fabrics, making it easier for brands to precisely match their sourcing needs.

This shift reflects Keqiao's fabric supply chain evolving from 'big and comprehensive' to 'specialized and refined.' Li Bo, director of the Productivity Promotion Department of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, summarized that functional fabrics are accelerating their expansion from professional sports into daily fashion and business attire—a key industry trend. He recommended that 'Keqiao Preferred' further anchor core brand needs and guide companies to focus on advantageous innovation tracks.

Real Benefits for Selected Companies: Three Major Trade Fairs

Selected companies will gain access to three targeted brand matchmaking events and will be showcased at major domestic and international exhibitions, including the 2026 China International Trade Fair for Textiles & Apparel (Autumn/Winter), the Munich Performance Days, and the Asia Pacific Textile and Apparel Supply Chain Expo & Summit (APTEXPO 2026). The final list will be announced on the official website in early August, with winning products displayed year-round in an online showroom.

For Keqiao fabric companies, this means the chain from 'being seen' to 'being selected' is shortening. The selection itself has become a supply chain filter—brands can identify potential suppliers on the spot, without waiting for the exhibition floor.

For Buyers - Prioritize fabrics with complete testing reports, especially functional verification and environmental certifications—these are the first indicators of supplier professionalism. - Focus on tech fabrics using differentiated materials like micro-denier and graphene-modified fibers, which offer the greatest cross-application potential between sport and daily wear. - Use the 'Keqiao Preferred' online showroom for initial screening, then engage directly with fabric companies through targeted matchmaking events to reduce sample trial costs.

For Fabric Mills - Fill the documentation gap: functional parameters, safety certifications, and environmental credentials are non-negotiable—without them, even the best fabric will be excluded by brands. - Make green sustainability a hard baseline requirement in product development, not an add-on selling point—brands have already made it an entry condition. - Actively define your sub-category focus: clearly position yourself in segments like light sportswear, outdoor, or yoga fabrics to enable faster brand matching.