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#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Integral highlights sustainable innovation at GREENEXT EXPO

Integral, the sustainable development garden of Esquel Group, a leading global knowledge-based innovation company, participated in the prestigious “GREENEXT EXPO” in Shanghai, unveiling its innovative achievements in sustainable development. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)’s advocacy of ESG principles, the event brought together industry leaders to explore the future of sustainable development and ESG practices.
Mr. Jiang Xiaohui (Leftmost), Executive Director of Integral Institute, led a panel discussion on ecological architecture design  © 2024 GREENEXT
Mr. Jiang Xiaohui (Leftmost), Executive Director of Integral Institute, led a panel discussion on ecological architecture design © 2024 GREENEXT


Throughout the two-day event, Integral underscored four key themes – innovation, quality employment, cultural heritage, and environmental sustainability, showcasing pioneering development models and practices that integrate sustainable principles into operations, drawing a diverse audience for engaging discussions.

On August 26, Mr. Jiang Xiaohui, Executive Director of Integral Institute, led a panel discussion on ecological architecture design, while Mr. Shi Yang, Director of Site Management and Project Management at Esquel Guilin, highlighted Integral’s sustainable architectural practices, emphasizing the application of circular design for resource efficiency and waste reduction. Additionally, Mr. Shi underscored the importance of a “people-centric” design philosophy in fostering employee well-being and operational efficiency.

Mr. Shi showcased the Fragrant Hill Natural Dye Botanic Garden (???) at Integral in the discussion, stating, “By creating Fragrant Hill Natural Dye Botanic Garden, Esquel is committed to biodiversity conservation, integrating innovative technologies into the research and application of natural dyes, and demonstrating a sustainable development solution combining traditional dyeing techniques with modern technology.”

In a keynote speech titled “Esquel’s Journey of Sustainable Development Transformation” on the afternoon of August 27, Ms. Helen Chen, General Manager of Esquel China, reflected on the Group’s exploration and achievements in sustainable development.

Ms. Helen Chen, General Manager of Esquel China © 2024 GREENEXT
Ms. Helen Chen, General Manager of Esquel China © 2024 GREENEXT


She emphasized Integral’s role as a hub for innovation and knowledge sharing. Leveraging strategic partnerships with esteemed institutions, Integral offers immersive sustainable development experiences. Ms. Chen stated, “These innovative initiatives empower businesses for high-quality development and infuse new vitality and wisdom into society’s sustainable future.”

Integral has established long-term strategic partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Since 2023, Integral has also hosted mobile classrooms and practical teaching projects for several world-class universities, offering students valuable on-site learning opportunities and promoting in-depth integration of industry, academia, and research.

Moreover, Integral leverages Guilin’s status as a national historical and cultural city and an innovative demonstration area for sustainable development agendas. It organizes experiential learning activities for entrepreneurs, deepening participants’ understanding and acceptance of sustainable development to drive broader social impact.



More News from Esquel Group.

#Raw Materials

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

Esquel Group’s Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed two new Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) varieties named “Yuan Loong 37” and “Yuan Loong 42,” which have been officially approved and granted registration numbers. Both varieties have also obtained Plant Variety Rights certificates, marking another significant breakthrough for the Group in cotton breeding and commercial application.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

HKUST & Esquel unveil five-year study: Empowering students for sustainable innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (“HKUST”) has partnered with Esquel Enterprises Limited (“Esquel Group”) to launch a five-year study program that allows HKUST students to conduct biannual field research at the textile manufacturer’s 500,000-square-meter Sustainable Development Garden Integral, recognized as one of China’s top 20 sustainable development projects by the United Nations.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Esquel and China Recycling Group sign strategic cooperation agreement

On April 23, 2025, Guangdong Esquel and China Recycling Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Wuxi, Jiangsu. The partnership aims to promote the recycling and reuse of waste textiles, supporting China’s carbon neutrality goals.

#Raw Materials

Official approval granted for Esquel Group’s new Sea Island Cotton variety "Yuan Loong 30"

Esquel Group Xinjiang Research & Development Center has successfully developed a new self-bred Sea Island cotton (Extra-Long-Staple cotton, ELS cotton) variety named "Yuan Loong 30," which has been officially approved and designated by the 11th Main Crop Variety Assessment Committee of Xinjiang. With this addition, Esquel has now successfully bred and named a total of six Sea Island cotton varieties, including "Xinhai 33", "Xinhai 50", "Xinhai 55", "Xinhai 63", "Yuan Loong 17" and "Yuan Loong 30".

More News on Textiles & Apparel / Garment

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Catalyst Club launches in Florence: Where conversations become catalysts for change

The first chapter of Catalyst Club debuted in Florence, bringing together creative directors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, journalists and innovators from across the fashion and textile industry for an evening of dialogue, exchange and connection.

#Associations

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Autopsy, the new trend book by Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris, deciphers the fractures of our time through 12 creative signals

Presented during Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris, from August 31 to September 2, 2026, at the Paris-Le Bourget Exhibition Center, Autopsy offers a reinterpretation of the contours of fashion in a world undergoing profound transformation, balancing radical introspection and sensitive renewal.

#Yarn & Fiber

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

Latest News

#Textile processing

Dedicated car seat model of SHIMA SEIKI’s P-CAM® R Cutting Machine unveiled

Leading Japanese textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, showed a special version of its P-CAM® R multi-ply computerized cutting machine dedicated to the production of car seats for the first time, at a private exhibition held over two days on Thursday, July 2nd and Friday, July 3rd at the Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center in Aichi Prefecture.

#Research & Development

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

#Nonwovens

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

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