Around 2,100 professionals and over 150 exhibitors convened at this year’s Functional Fabric Fair New York, powered by Performance Days, highlighting the ongoing industry shift towards sustainability and material innovation. Held on 22–23 July 2025, the fair solidified its role as a platform for advanced textiles in both performance and fashion markets, with a clear message: circularity, eco-design and functional innovation are now critical to business strategy.

A major highlight was the inaugural DAY 0 Sustainability Workshop, drawing more than 150 participants for deep-dive discussions on circular supply chains, material development and climate-positive sourcing. According to Event Vice President Steve McCullough, the fair is helping to guide the textile industry at a key inflection point for sustainability.

The event featured a comprehensive Expert Talks series, underscoring that sustainable solutions are no longer peripheral interests but essential to global textile development. For the first time, the Future Fabrics Expo Innovation Hub made its New York debut, showcasing 33 cutting-edge materials, including biotextiles cultivated in restored wetlands, enzymatically recycled fibres, and dyes derived from living organisms.

The collaboration between the Future Fabrics Expo and Performance Days will continue in Munich this October. Nina Marenzi, Founder and CEO of The Sustainable Angle, emphasised the potential of this partnership to accelerate innovation globally, stating that “nature-positive, decarbonised supply chains” are central to the future of the industry.

Following the New York edition, Performance Days Munich (29–30 October 2025) is already fully booked, signalling sustained momentum. New formats will include a Focus Topic on “Textile to Textile – the role of recyclers”, a revamped Footwear Area with its own workshop and networking events, and the launch of a new Creative Area curated by colour specialist Nora Kühner.

Munich will also host the second DAY 0 conference on 28 October under the theme “In nature, there is no waste”. This closed-door session will challenge industry leaders to shift perspectives on waste and redefine value creation based on nature’s circular principles.

The next opportunity for industry engagement will be Functional Textiles Shanghai by Performance Days, taking place 6–7 August 2025 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, expanding the fair’s footprint into the Asian market.

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