The 2018 National Chemical Fiber Fabric Product Development Annual Conference, co-hosted by the China Long Fiber Weaving Association and the Haian Municipal Government, and organized by the Jiangsu Haian High-tech Industrial Development Zone Management Committee, was recently held in Jiangsu Haian.

At the conference, Duan Xiaoping, Vice President of the China National Textile and Apparel Council and President of the China Chemical Fiber Industry Association, delivered a keynote speech titled "New Perspectives on Fibers," focusing on the capacity, investment, and profits of the chemical fiber industry, as well as technology, sustainability, branding, domestic and international development environments, and future prospects, highlighting the mid-term evaluation of the chemical fiber industry during the 13th Five-Year Plan. Duan pointed out that since the 13th Five-Year Plan, the national economy has been stable and improving, global economy and trade have rebounded from the bottom, and China's textile industry has gradually stabilized and rebounded, providing good demand support for the development of the chemical fiber industry. The rise in commodity prices has driven up chemical fiber prices, and due to strong demand, price transmission has been smooth, leading to a significant improvement in the operational quality and efficiency of the chemical fiber industry. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the output of chemical fibers is expected to maintain a steady annual growth rate of 3.3%.

He also pointed out that 2018 is an important year for implementing the 13th Five-Year Plan, as well as a key year for accelerating the adjustment of product structure in the long fiber weaving industry to achieve technological, fashionable, and green development. The long fiber weaving industry is the most innovative sector in the textile industry, especially in product development and innovation, leading the textile industry.

Wang Jiayi, President of the China Long Fiber Weaving Association, delivered a keynote report titled "Innovative Weaving Drives Product Development, Green Fashion Leads Industry Development," introducing the overall situation of industry development, achievements in product development and technological innovation, existing problems, and countermeasures.

Wang Jiayi pointed out that in the past year, the entire industry has paid more attention to the development concepts of technology, fashion, and sustainability, focusing more on quality improvement, continuously adjusting product structure with supply-side structural reform as the main line, formulating relevant standards, creating characteristic boutique production bases, and continuously developing characteristic products that meet various consumer needs to satisfy the growing demand for a better life, achieving significant accomplishments and effectively promoting the continuous development of the long fiber weaving industry. He also noted that although the industry is developing positively, there are still issues such as insufficient innovation investment and inadequate standard customization. In response to these issues, he actively advocates for increasing innovation and research and development efforts within the industry, promoting green production technologies, strengthening standardization work, and carrying out intelligent weaving demonstration project recommendations.

In this regard, Professor Chen Long from Donghua University believes that in the future, domestic textile materials will develop towards specialized customization, multi-technology integration, and overall industrial chain performance. Specifically, in terms of fiber components, the composition of fibers will evolve from single to composite and from simple to multiple structures; in terms of dimensions, fibers will develop towards lower dimensions and finer specifications; and in terms of technology, fiber-forming polymers will evolve towards biological and biomimetic technologies.

It is reported that the 2018 boutique fabrics have the following characteristics: simulated fabrics are gradually improving, functional fabrics are highly technological, outdoor sports fabrics have many highlights, and product design has a strong sense of innovation. At the conference, the organizers awarded 70 gold awards for excellent boutique chemical fiber fabrics, 83 excellent awards, and 56 outstanding awards in seven categories: fashion, simulation, outdoor sports, fashion leisure, new functional, home textiles, and industrial use, and certificates and bonuses were awarded to 12 units and individuals who received the 2018 Excellent Paper Award for Chemical Fiber Fabric Product Development, including "Research on Dyeing and Finishing Technology of High-Fidelity Water-Washed Cotton Printed Fabrics."

In addition, Wujiang Lantian Weaving Co., Ltd. was awarded the "Boutique Production Base for Chinese Fine Fiber Double-Layer Elastic Chemical Fiber Fabrics," Jiaxing Qianrong Weaving Co., Ltd. was awarded the "Boutique Production Base for Chinese Chemical Fiber Bag Fabrics," Jiangsu Silk Group Co., Ltd. was awarded the "Boutique Production Base for Chinese Differentiated Polyester Fashion Fabrics," and Zhejiang Taihua New Materials Co., Ltd. passed the re-evaluation for the "Boutique Production Base for Chinese Functional Nylon Silk Fabrics," all with a validity period of three years.