1,072 fabrics, 195 companies, three tracks—this is the scorecard from the second phase of the 2026 'Keqiao Selection' review. Held on July 24 in Shaoxing Keqiao, the event was more than a product screening; it reflected a structural shift from single-point breakthroughs to a parallel focus on fashion, technology, and sustainability.
Track Weighting: Fashion Remains the Anchor
Fashion fabrics accounted for 75% of entries, featuring jacquard, satin, lace, and cut-work, with multi-material blending and refined craftsmanship as standard. This indicates that Keqiao mills still prioritize design and tactile appeal to meet buyers' demand for instant visual attraction. Tech and green fabrics together made up 25%. Though smaller, experts noted that sport-functional fabrics have improved significantly, narrowing the gap with fashion lines.
Tech Fabrics: From Niche to Everyday Wear
Entries covered moisture-wicking, thermal insulation, UV protection, and anti-transparency functions, using ultra-fine denier, graphene-modified, hollow, and cooling fibers. Review panel chair Li Bo noted that functional fabrics are expanding from professional sportswear into daily fashion and business attire. For buyers, this means Keqiao now offers one-stop solutions that blend performance with everyday aesthetics.
Green Fabrics: Material and Process Synergy
Recycled polyester, lyocell, cupro, hemp, Naia™, and Yasal® fibers were widely used, paired with salt-free, low-water dyeing techniques. Expert Zhang Qifeng highlighted kapok fiber products for their superior hand feel compared to traditional cotton, linen, silk, and wool. However, multiple judges pointed out that many entries lacked complete testing documentation—missing functional parameters and eco-certifications—which slows down brand procurement decisions.
Scoring Evolution: Quantitative Metrics Become Hard Gate
The review criteria added weight to safety, mass production capability, functional verification, and eco-certification, moving from subjective scoring to data-driven evaluation. For participating mills, submitting comprehensive test reports is no longer optional but a prerequisite for selection.
Brand Matching and Internationalization: From Exhibition to Procurement Loop
Selected companies gain access to three targeted brand matching events and exhibition opportunities at Intertextile Shanghai, Munich Performance Days, and APTEXPO 2026. This creates a closed loop from fabric display to brand order placement. Keqiao Selection is transforming 'Good fabric, made in Keqiao' from a slogan into a procurement checklist for international buyers.
Industry Insight: Integration of Three Tracks Is the Next Frontier
Expert Duan Furong suggested making sustainability a mandatory baseline, pushing for deeper fusion of fashion, technology, and green dimensions. Currently, the three tracks remain separate: fashion prioritizes design over function, tech emphasizes performance over aesthetics, and green focuses on materials over marketability. True premium fabrics will emerge at their intersection.