[pageLogInLogOut]

#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.

#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".

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Esquel recognized in UN Global Compact's Guidebook on Gender Equality

Esquel has been featured as one of the eight remarkable case studies in the #UNGC’s latest report, “Women at Work: Chinese Companies Taking Action on Gender Equality”, released on International Women's Day. The guidebook highlights our commitment to fostering gender equality within our organization and offers valuable guidance to advance ESG and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in China and beyond.

More News on Textiles & Apparel / Garment

#Exhibitions & Events

VIATT 2026 announces inaugural lifestyle Trend Forum: Unified vision for S/S 2027 across fashion, home, and tech

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to host its first Trend Forum, offering a forward-looking, industry-wide perspective for Spring / Summer 2027. With the show scheduled from 26 – 28 February 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), VIATT’s trend curators – NellyRodi™ Agency and MUSEATIVE – will provide comprehensive insights across the interconnected realms of Apparel Fabrics & Fashion, Home & Contract Textiles, and Technical Textiles & Technologies.

#Functional Fabrics

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.

#Natural Fibers

AMSilk’s silk protein yarns debut in Balenciaga collection

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announced that its bioengineered yarns are featured in commercially available garments within Balenciaga’s Spring 2026 collection.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

ROICA: Where distinction and intention shape the future of apparel industry at Milano Unica

At Milano Unica, held at Fiera Milano (Rho) in Milan from January 20–22, nine select European partners unveil collections shaped by ROICA™—the premium stretch fiber by Asahi Kasei. ROICA™ does not stand alone on the show floor, but its presence is quietly interlaced into each creation, chosen by those who seek distinction and depth in modern textiles. Through these dedicated collaborations, ROICA™ continues to sup-port the apparel industry with advanced stretch, comfort, and environmental care, offering something unique for brands who value true craftsmanship and thoughtful innovation.

Latest News

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

Precision jet dyeing moves towards industrial scale as Alchemie partners with Acatel

BTMA member Alchemie Technology, the pioneer of precision jet dyeing solutions based in Cambridge, UK, is partnering with Acatel, the Portuguese leader in sustainable textile manufacturing. The two companies will work together to validate and optimise Alchemie’s Endeavour system for knitted cellulosic fabrics.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

Monforts customers make strong showing at Heimtextil 2026

Monforts dyeing and finishing technology customers from Pakistan had a formidable presence at the Heimtextil 2026 home and contract textiles exhibition which attracted over 48,000 visitors to Frankfurt in Germany this month (January 13-16).

#Associations

Industry associations warn against state-run EPR models in the EU

European industry associations, led by Euratex, have raised concerns over a growing trend in several EU Member States to introduce state-run Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) within Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

#Fabrics

MUNICH FABRIC START: Between Attitude and Sensuality

The future begins where we reimagine it. After seasons of restraint, Spring.Summer 27 marks a conscious counter-trend: optimism, sensuality, and creative freedom are replacing pragmatism and neutrality. Physical presence and individuality are regaining importance – as a response to uncertainty, exhaustion, and algorithmic predictability. The overarching theme of PLEASURE stands for fashion as an emotional space, as an expression of attitude and cultural reflection. Colours, surfaces, and materials become vehicles for self-confidence and joie de vivre.

TOP