Performance Days, the international trade fair for functional textiles, closed its autumn edition in Munich with a record 5,170 trade visitors, about 20% more than the previous autumn show, as bio-based materials dominated the agenda.
The two-day event, held on Oct 13-14 at Messe München, drew 599 exhibitors across 27,500 square metres in halls A4 to A6, making it the largest edition in the fair’s history, according to organisers.
Chief executive Marco Weichert said the expansion had been well received but that “growth alone is not our objective”, adding that the aim was to connect the right buyers and suppliers.
The autumn focus topic, “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, centred on fibres. New areas included a Cellulose Forum, a Garment Tech Forum, a Digital Design Journey and a Sustainability Exchange, where certification bodies and industry initiatives discussed European Union legislation, circularity and biodiversity. A repair service backed by zipper makers YKK and Duraflex mended garments.
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A highlight of the Expert Talks, “The Road to Fossil-Free Performance”, brought Weichert together with Dominik Fuss of The Natural Laboratory and Satish Tailor of Vollebak to discuss cutting reliance on fossil-based inputs without sacrificing technical performance. Trade publication WTiN said biobased innovation ran through the show, including PFAS-free laminates.
Exhibitors said the larger footprint had not diluted audience quality. Jochen Schulz of Duraflex described the fair as a place where projects advance and partnerships form, while Niccy Kol of Raddis Cotton said the Cellulose Forum debut sparked in-depth conversations about renewable fibres.
FLYTEC won the Performance Award for FLYTEC DEFEND, a material built around a microporous polypropylene membrane.
The next Performance Days Munich takes place on March 17-18, 2027, continuing the bio-based theme with Part 2, which will turn to dyeing, finishing, additives and processing technologies.