150 billion yuan - that is the output target Qiyang has set for its outdoor sport textile industry by 2028. At a time when county-level textile sectors are mired in homogenized competition, this figure represents a full-chain restructuring path from fabric to end products. On August 26, Qiyang held a promotional event at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, showcasing its cluster advantages to over 5,200 exhibitors and seeking to seize the window of outdoor consumption expansion.
Industry Positioning: A Three-Year Leap from Fabric Supply to Terminal Brands
Qiyang's industrial foundation is clear: functional fabrics are the mainstay, with umbrella cloth and bag fabric already forming production capacity. But the shortcomings are equally obvious - chemical fiber raw materials rely on external sources, auxiliary materials are insufficient, and terminal products account for a limited share. The 'Qiyang Textile Industry Development Special Study' released at the event proposes a '1347' action framework, focusing on 'strengthening advantages, filling shortcomings, expanding terminals, and enhancing capabilities.' Over the next three years, Qiyang will promote the industry's upgrade from fabric supply to terminal brands, aiming to establish three manufacturing bases: national outdoor umbrella cloth and rain gear, outdoor sports wearable products, and outdoor sports equipment.
For buyers, this means Qiyang may no longer be just a fabric supplier but a one-stop sourcing destination for outdoor gear. For factories, it represents an opportunity to transition from OEM to own brands. But transformation is not overnight; Qiyang has defined three investment directions: 'strengthening the chain' to improve functional fabric capacity, 'filling the chain' to address chemical fiber raw materials and auxiliary materials, and 'extending the chain' to brand operations and cross-border e-commerce. This phased approach reduces the systemic risk of industrial upgrading.
Technology Variables: Fiber New Materials Determine the Ceiling of Outdoor Track
The competitiveness of outdoor textiles ultimately rests on fiber materials. Chen Ye, director of the Chemical Fiber Research Institute at Donghua University, pointed out that the global fiber new material industry is at a critical stage of structural transformation: general fibers face overcapacity, single-function fibers lack market breakthroughs, multi-functional composite and customized development are emerging trends; bio-based fibers are gaining popularity, while recycled fibers show polarization - low-end products are mired in price wars, while high-quality recycled materials are favored by international brands.
These trends have clear implications for Qiyang: simply expanding capacity is meaningless; it must seek premium pricing through new materials. For example, incorporating bio-based or recycled fibers into umbrella cloth could not only increase product value but also align with international brands' sustainable sourcing needs. For buyers, this means suppliers' technological iteration capability will directly impact the differentiation and compliance of end products. If Qiyang can introduce high-end fiber projects during the chain-filling phase, it will significantly enhance the irreplaceability of its outdoor industry chain.
Event Landing: The County-level Investment Attraction Logic Behind a Promotion
This Shanghai promotion is not an isolated event but a strategic move by Qiyang to leverage the global window of the China National Textile and Apparel Council's autumn joint exhibition to actively connect with resources. Co-hosted by the China Textile Enterprise Management Association and supported by the Qiyang Light Textile and Footwear Industry Alliance, the event attracted leading enterprises from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, and Guangdong. Yan Yan, vice president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council, proposed three directions in his speech: 'strengthening the chain to consolidate the foundation, breaking through with innovation, and connecting through integration,' which essentially requires Qiyang to advance simultaneously in value chain enhancement, innovation-driven development, and scenario expansion.
For county-level industrial belts, this 'borrowing the stage' investment model is worth learning - precisely targeting enterprises through industry exhibitions is more efficient than generic investment promotion. Meanwhile, Qiyang's inclusion of sports event economy in the chain-extension direction suggests that cross-border integration of outdoor textiles with cultural tourism and events could become a new growth point. However, it is crucial to note that blueprint implementation still requires solving supporting issues such as land, talent, and logistics. Whether Qiyang's commitment to a favorable business environment can be fulfilled will determine the flow of capital and projects.