PERFORMANCE DAYS opens next week at the new location Messe München

In only 10 years, PERFORMANCE DAYS, the roadshow for manufacturers of functional fabrics and accessories has become a leading trade fair in the sector. Now PERFORMANCE DAYS is making the next logical step: On November 28-29th, 2018, 296 exhibitors from 29 countries will be awaiting visitors on the much larger exhibit floor of Hall C1 of the Messe München Exhibition Center in Munich-Riem: for comparison, this fair has 100 more exhibitors than last spring of 2018.

New exhibition hall design

In November, besides the many new and interesting exhibitors, the most important companies in the industry once again await the visitors with many surprises – courtesy of the exhibition hall's new design options. The exhibition area is lightened up into four large BOULEVARDS plus the GUIDED TOURS SQUARE. Each BOULEVARD is devoted to one of the major topics of the trade fair program:

• Along the first BOULEVARD, visitors can expect information on the current FOCUS TOPIC, which in November 2018, deals with how the textile industry can save water and reduce pollution. This is also where visitors will find the MARKETPLACE, where fabrics that are on offer as currently available in stock are displayed without delivery times.

• The second BOULEVARD is dedicated to the EXPERT TALKS - that make this fair so unique and exciting. On the first day of the fair, visitors will learn everything important about the new trends for Winter 2020. The talks on the second day of the fair revolve around the Focus Topic Water.

• Moving on to the third BOULEVARD, visitors will find the popular and unique PERFORMANCE FORUM, where the most interesting new materials chosen by the PERFORMANCE JURY are placed on display. This is also where the highlights of the inaugural Functional Fabric Fair powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS in New York are exhibited. The new trade show format in the USA showed how functional fabrics are finding increasing influence even outside sports or workwear clothing. A keen interest in functional fabrics by designers and manufacturers of fashion clothing was noted as well. They represent part of a lifestyle that has been the DNA of PERFORMANCE DAYS right from the start.

• The fourth BOULEVARD is reserved for the food court and provides best catering for the health and well-being of the visitors.

Even the GUIDED TOURS have received an upgrade – The new GUIDED TOURS "Plus" combine the traditional Tours through the fair with a short but intense workshop to provide even more information on a specific topic.

New operating hours

To ensure adequate time for the various offers and new exhibitors, the opening hours for visitors have been extended. Visits are now possible from 9:00 am to 19:00h (one hour longer) on Wednesday, Nov. 28th, 2018. The fair is also easy to find: From the parking lot West, you can get directly to the North-West entrance of the trade fair, which leads directly to Hall C1. Those who come by public transportation choose the U2 subway from the center of Munich in the direction of "Messestadt." Exit at the station "Messestadt West" and follow the covered walkway (past the West entrance) to the North-West entrance, which is behind the ICM Congress Center and next to the parking deck. This is also explained on the website at the tab "LOCATIONS & DIRECTIONS" along with visitor-friendly ticketing info.

Two awards for outstanding new developments in the area of function and sustainability

To receive an award at PERFORMANCE DAYS is the ultimate industry recognition. In selecting the winners of the (ECO) PERFORMANCE AWARDS, the jury handles with total integrity with no outside influence and is absolutely free in making its decisions. This season there are so many outstanding innovations at the exhibition that two awards are announced: the ECO PERFORMANCE AWARD for best sustainable development, and the PERFORMANCE AWARD for a new functional highlight.

ECO PERFORMANCE AWARD

The jury is highly enthusiastic about the nomination of the ECO PERFORMANCE AWARD winner and described the award-winning fabric as the best ecological solution currently available on the market. This extraordinary laminate from Jou Jou Fish combines various sustainable technologies. Article "JYRNP0002 307" consists of 100% recycled nylon and is designed with a micro-porous membrane (functional performance 15K/10K) that is produced without solvents. This saves a lot of water, plus the fabric is made from pre-dyed fibres (solution-dyeing) and the DWR coating is applied using a dry-finish treatment. The only thing that could improve it: as the polyamide is currently produced from post-industrial waste products, it would be nice to have option of using post-consumer polyamides in the future.

PERFORMANCE AWARD

The PERFORMANCE AWARD recognizes another pioneering development. Never before has there been such a fine, yet still tear resistant, highly functional fabric. The winner is article "DPQ 1092 DWR" from Green Threads and with only 17g/m² an absolute lightweight. Particularly fine nylon yarns are used (7d and 4d); a 4d yarn has never before been used in functional fabrics. This plus the extremely good tear resistance clinched it for the jury. Another plus for the winner: this lightweight fabric can achieve with just 17 g comparable performance values to a 50g fabric; thereby, not only is the weight significantly reduced, but also the amount of raw materials and energy consumed in production. This is also a factor that protects the environment when the garment is disposed at the end of its useful life.

If this makes you curious about the fabric highlights for Winter 2020, be sure not to miss the opening Expert Talk by journalist Ulrike Arlt on November 28th, at 9:45h, which ends with the awards presentations.

The most important trends at the PERFORMANCE FORUM

Besides the award-winning fabrics, the Tables of the PERFORMANCE FORUM are overflowing with new themes this season. In connection with the FOCUS TOPIC, all water saving manufacturing processes are highlighted. Many synthetic fabrics are provided for Winter 2020, which, thanks to special water-free processes, are made from synthetic granulate already colored before it is spun into fibres. The most important fabrics with this technology can be seen on the PERFORMANCE WALL, along with the new fleece materials that no longer release micro-particles into the waste water from the washing cycle. Although these fabrics have a roughened surface, they are not made from polyester like conventional fleece, but from tencel. This natural fibre is biodegradable and poses no risk to humans or animals. Generally, the trend favors functional fabrics made from natural fibres or some blend of natural fibres. In addition to the indispensable merino wool and tencel, there are fabrics based on kapok, linen, hemp, or organic cotton.

The fashion highlights for Winter 2020 perfectly satisfy the desire for luxury on the one hand and cocooning on the other. High stretch fabrics for pants, also with compression, offer a varied response to the subject of Athleisure designs. Extra light pocket-weaves are well-suited for city as well as stylish sporty insulated jackets. Teddy fleece is back and has a cuddly woolly feel and new softshell variants with a middle layer of insulation ensure a fit sporty look. Even glitter finds its way into functional fibres that still meet all of the climate management and moisture transport requirements. The range of fabric impressions extends from high-tech to very fashionable, all while providing maximum function.

A new highlight at the PERFORMANCE FORUM is the NEW YORK TRENDS Table, which displays the most popular fabrics from the Functional Fabric Fair powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS held in New York for the first time last July. Among the favorites of the New Yorker audience are many functional fabrics with unusual prints and jacquards, as well as transparent laminates and special eyecatchers with high-low (embossed/debossed) features.

www.performancedays.com