The 64th edition of Filo opened today at Fiera Milano Rho with a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability and legality as the guiding principles for the future of Made in Italy.

In his opening remarks, Paolo Monfermoso, manager of Filo, highlighted the fair’s journey from its first edition in 1994 to the present, noting its steady growth and international reach. This year’s edition brings together 109 exhibitors, including 68 from Italy and 41 from 16 other countries, reflecting the show’s global significance.

Paolo Barberis Canonico, President of Unione Industriale Biellese, underlined sustainability as a competitive advantage rather than a burden and stressed the importance of industry collaboration to withstand competition from more structured international systems. He urged entrepreneurs to be proactive and engage with legislators through technical working groups.

Elena Chiorino, Vice-President of the Piedmont Region, described Filo as more than a trade fair, but an international showcase confirming Italy’s leadership in high-quality textiles. She emphasised the need for circularity and innovation while pointing to Piedmont’s upcoming showcase at the Osaka Expo as proof of the region’s commitment to sustainability and creativity.

Italian Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, acknowledged Filo’s role as a cornerstone event for the country’s textile industry. He called circular supply chains an opportunity for economic growth, expressing confidence in the sector’s ability to turn sustainability into leadership.

The round table that followed gathered key figures from across the industry. Luca Sburlati, President of Confindustria Moda, highlighted legality as a pillar alongside innovation and sustainability, while Francesca Rulli of Ympact and 4sustainability spoke about the growing systemic approach to sustainable fashion, with tools such as traceability and digital passports enabling more ethical and transparent supply chains.

Giovanni Marchi, President of MagnoLab, emphasised collaboration and networking as central to transforming innovation into practical solutions, while Mauro Chezzi of Confindustria Moda and Retex.Green addressed upcoming European regulations on extended producer responsibility for textiles. He advised companies to prepare for their obligations in collection, sorting and recycling of textile waste, noting Italy’s progress in implementing the legislation.

The 64th edition of Filo concluded at Fiera Milano Rho, Hall 14, on 24 September 2025, bringing together global exhibitors and industry leaders to debate the future of textiles.

www.filo.it