Facing "New Quality Productivity" and "Dual Circulation" : The Core Trends and Transformation paths of China's Textile Industry in 2025
In 2025, China's textile industry demonstrated remarkable resilience and composure in a complex and volatile domestic and international environment. In the first half of the year, the added value of the industry maintained year-on-year growth, and the capacity utilization rate of the entire industrial chain remained within a reasonable range, providing solid support for the national economy. At present, the industry is embracing technological innovation and green transformation with unprecedented intensity. Its development main line is becoming increasingly clear: internally, it aims to achieve self-reliance and strength through technology and brand, and build a high-quality internal circulation. Externally, it actively responds to changes in global rules by coordinating digitalization and green development.
1. Dual-wheel drive: Technological innovation reshapes the value chain, and brand upgrading opens up new growth
Technology and brand have become the core engines driving industries through cycles. In the first half of the year, the fixed asset investment in the industry maintained double-digit growth, and enterprises had a strong willingness to carry out technological transformation towards high-end, intelligent and green development.
On the one hand, technological innovation has extended from the "manufacturing stage" to both the "fiber source" and the "design terminal". In the field of new fiber materials, cross-border integration based on materials has become a prominent feature, and high-performance fibers and high-tech textiles have become representatives of "new quality productivity". For instance, the scientific research and technological breakthrough projects in Shanghai are dedicated to developing intrinsic multifunctional polyester composite fibers that integrate antibacterial, flame-retardant and temperature-regulating properties, demonstrating the full-process technological breakthroughs from functional masterbatches to terminal fabrics. Meanwhile, the new generation of information technologies represented by artificial intelligence is reshaping the value chain.
On the other hand, brand building is evolving from merely focusing on "manufacturing advantages" to "cultural value" and "scene experience". Driven by the upgrading of consumption, enterprises are increasingly focusing on exploring the cultural connotations of their products. For instance, some silk brands are deeply rooted in regional cultural genes, integrating intangible cultural heritage skills with technology, and meeting diverse demands by expanding new scenarios such as "home, office, and travel". Building brands with unique recognition and cultural heritage is becoming an inevitable choice for China's textile and garment industry to move from being the "world's factory" to a "world-class industrial highland".
Ii. Dual Challenges: Structural Differentiation within the Industry and New External "green" Regulations
Despite the broad prospects, the industry is currently confronted with dual challenges both internally and externally.
From an internal perspective, the industry shows a clear trend of structural differentiation. Although the sports and industrial textiles sectors have performed well, the recovery of benefits in sub-sectors such as chemical fibers, printing and dyeing, and clothing still faces pressure. This situation where "the sports field leads the way while traditional fields are experiencing transformation pains" has put forward higher requirements for enterprises' precise positioning and differentiated competitive capabilities.
From an external perspective, global green trade rules are accelerating the reshaping of the competitive landscape. New regulations, represented by the EU's "Eco-Design Regulation for Sustainable Products", have put forward mandatory access requirements such as product digital passports. To address this challenge, the China National Textile and Apparel Council has jointly released the "2025 China Textile Industry Product Digital Passport White Paper" with all parties, aiming to build a trusted data ecosystem covering the entire product life cycle. This is not only a pass to the international market, but also an inherent need for the industry itself to deeply transform towards transparency, greenness and digitalization.
