#Functional Fabrics

2026-08-13

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

Innovation hub at PERFORMANCE DAYS © 2026 PERFORMANCE DAYS

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

At the same time, PERFORMANCE DAYS will further expand its innovation platform with the introduction of two new dedicated areas: the Garment Tech Forum and the Cellulose Forum.

As the textile industry accelerates its transition away from fossil-based resources, bio-based materials are becoming a key driver for the future of performance textiles. Next-generation innovations are opening new possibilities in functionality, design, and responsible material development. The Focus Topic for October 2026 will highlight high-impact innovations derived partly or fully from biomass, showcasing solutions that can help reduce dependency on fossil resources, improve material transparency, and support the industry’s transformation toward more future-oriented material systems. At the same time, the shift toward bio-based solutions also raises important questions regarding scalability, feedstock sourcing, traceability, certification, and supply chain transparency. PERFORMANCE DAYS aims to create visibility around these developments and encourage dialogue across the entire value chain.

“The transition from fossil-based to bio-based materials represents one of the textile industry’s most important shifts of the coming decade. While these innovations unlock new opportunities in performance, design, and circularity, their success ultimately depends on how effectively we address challenges such as scalability, responsible sourcing, and transparency across the value chain,” says Anna Schuster, Head of Sustainability at PERFORMANCE DAYS.

To strengthen the focus on credible innovation, the Focus Topic Forum will prioritize materials combining strong performance properties with transparent sourcing and verified sustainability credentials. Submitted developments should contain a minimum of 50% bio-based content or combine preferred fiber content with innovative bio fabricated ingredients such as dyes, finishes, or coatings.

Expert jury & Trend Forum highlights

Ahead of the October show, an independent expert jury will once again review and select the most outstanding material innovations across all categories. The selected highlights will be showcased at the Trend Forum in October, the central hub of the fair, as well as within the dedicated category forums, providing visitors with a curated overview of the most relevant developments shaping the market.

New forum highlights for October 2026

Cellulose Forum: Expanding into plant-based fibers

In line with the growing focus on bio-based innovation, PERFORMANCE DAYS will also introduce the new Cellulose Forum, dedicated entirely to plant-based and cellulose-based materials. While cotton remains a cornerstone of the textile industry, innovation is rapidly expanding toward alternative cellulose sources and regenerated cellulosic. Natural fibers such as hemp, linen, nettle, and algae are increasingly being explored alongside regenerated cellulose materials like Lyocell, Modal, and viscose as renewable, scalable, and performance-driven alternatives. The Cellulose Forum positions cellulose as a future-oriented material solution, bridging performance, scalability, and responsible sourcing.

Garment Tech Forum: From material to application

With the introduction of the new Garment Tech Forum, PERFORMANCE DAYS is expanding its perspective beyond fabrics alone and placing greater emphasis on how materials are transformed into functional garment solutions. The curated format focuses on the intersection of material innovation, garment construction, bonding technologies, wearable technologies, trims, and product engineering. Rather than showcasing finished products, the forum highlights the technical solutions and development processes behind next-generation performance apparel. For visitors, the Garment Tech Forum offers practical insight into the processes, partnerships, and technologies driving modern product development.

Fashion Forum: Strengthening the creative perspective

The Fashion Forum further strengthens its role within the Trend Forum by highlighting materials and innovations with a strong fashion perspective. With a clear focus on fashion aesthetics and trend-driven developments, the category is designed to inspire designers, creatives, and product developers across the industry. Curated in collaboration with Luca Zanatta, Head of Fabrics & Materials Research at Diesel, selected materials will additionally be showcased within the Creative Area, creating further inspiration and new creative impulses.

Strong forum concept across categories

The October 2026 edition will once again feature a curated forum landscape designed to provide targeted inspiration and sourcing opportunities across key material segments:

Wool Forum

Trend Forum

Accessories & Trims

Bodywear Forum

Footwear Forum

NEW: Cellulose Forum

NEW: Garment Tech Forum

Together, these forums serve as central inspiration hubs, showcasing the most relevant innovations and guiding visitors through the key developments shaping the future of the textile industry.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

PERFORMANCE DAYS: Focus topic shifts to the beginning of the value chain

Following the last Focus Topic in October 2025, which placed Textile-to-Textile Recycling at its core, PERFORMANCE DAYS continues to drive the conversation around circularity – this time with an expanded and more upstream perspective. The upcoming Focus Topic, “Textile to Textile: The Role of Collectors and Sorters,” presented during the spring edition on March 18–19, will spotlight one of the most essential yet often overlooked components of a functioning circular textile system: the efficient collection and sorting of post-consumer textiles.

PERFORMANCE DAYS sets benchmarks with record attendance & strong industry presence

With around 4,500 professional visitors and 515 exhibitors, PERFORMANCE DAYS closed its doors on October 30, 2025, after two highly successful days in Munich. Expanded show areas, an international audience, a top-class Expert Talks program, and an inspiring DAY 0 Conference with an innovative concept underlined one thing clearly: PERFORMANCE DAYS has become the leading business platform for the functional textile industry.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

Carrington Textiles publishes third Sustainability Report

Carrington Textiles has announced the publication of the third Sustainability Report from the RTS Textiles Group, highlighting another year of progress towards more responsible manufacturing across its global operations. The report outlines continued investment in technologies and initiatives designed to improve environmental performance and support long-term business resilience across the Group’s manufacturing facilities in the UK, Portugal and Pakistan.

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at Egypt Stitch & Tex

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in Egypt, TTS (EL MASRIA FOR TRADE & TECHNICAL SERVICES), will participate in the upcoming 24th International Exhibition for Textile & Carpet Machineries, Printing Technologies and Accessories (Egypt Stitch & Tex) to be held in Cairo, Egypt this month.

Coats Digital launches AI-powered GSD RealMotion for motion analysis

Coats Digital has launched GSD RealMotion, an AI-powered solution designed to provide apparel manufacturers with greater visibility into factory-floor operations. By analysing shop-floor video and applying Coats Digital’s GSD methodology, the solution turns video recordings into structured, motion-by-motion method studies.