The 35th edition of Performance Days, held in Munich from 29–30 October 2025, reaffirmed its role as a key platform for innovation in performance textiles. The trade fair welcomed 4,500 visitors and 515 exhibitors, showcasing developments for the Autumn/Winter 2027 season amid a notably upbeat industry mood.
CEO Marco Weichert described the fair’s success as validation of its selective, quality-driven approach—where participation is limited to standout innovators. This strategy has created such demand that a waiting list of 150 exhibitors now exists. The 2025 edition expanded into new segments, including footwear, while maintaining strict internal criteria for awards and trend showcases.
The central theme, “Textile to Textile – the Role of Recyclers,” highlighted circular economy strategies. The EU-funded T-REX project—involving Adidas, Fulgar, and BASF—presented its blueprint for scaling textile-to-textile recycling across Europe. “Textile waste is a key resource; we just need to use it,” noted Anna Schuster, Head of Sustainability at Performance Days.
Groundbreaking materials drew strong attention:
- Nanoloom unveiled graphene-based biodegradable fibres aimed at replacing elastane.
- Fibarcode introduced traceable polymers embedding data directly into fibres for end-of-life recycling.
- Primaloft launched UltraPeak synthetic insulation made entirely from recycled fibres, while Polartec debuted AirCore, a PFAS-free, breathable softshell laminate.
- The Wool Area expanded, reflecting rising demand for natural fibres, with innovations like Flytec’s recycled wool-silk blend offering dense, weather-resistant fabrics without chemicals.
A collaboration with London’s Future Fabrics Expo enriched the showcase, underscoring the shift toward biodegradable, bio-based, and circular materials.
By blending heritage and high-tech, including a nostalgic exhibit by Japan’s Beams and Utah State University, Performance Days 2025 confirmed that the textile industry’s future lies in uniting design, science, and sustainability.
