As the outdoor and performance textile industry increasingly tackles sustainability, circularity and compliance challenges, what’s next in performance fabrics?
Functional Fabric Fair Fall Portland, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS and taking place November 12–13, 2025 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, answers this question with more than 350 certified sustainable suppliers (including 35 first-time exhibitors) showcasing their newest functional fabrics, finishes, trims and accessories designed for the 2026/2027 fall seasons. Attendees can also get tickets to the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop, running November 11.
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The demand growth for sustainable, high-performance materials also drove the partnership with the Future Fabrics Expo. “Together, we’re uniting two platforms with a shared mission to spotlight innovation and drive sustainable progress across the supply chain,” said Steve McCullough, event vice president of Functional Fabric Fair, noting The Innovation Zone and Trend Forum as combined activations that “create a full innovation ecosystem from idea to implementation.”
The Functional Fabric Fair has also expanded its speaker programming to provide forward-thinking insights and solutions to current challenges. Targeted sessions will tackle key issues facing the outdoor and active textile industry such as circularity, sustainable innovation, regulatory changes, forced labor risks and textile-to-textile recycling.
Day 0 Sustainability Workshop
Running November 11, a day before the exhibition floor opens, the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop is an all-day paid conference program, sponsored by Hyosung and open to both exhibitors and attendees. The hands-on workshop, designed as an interactive forum with attendee feedback, will take place at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Portland (located across from the Oregon Convention Center).
“The Day 0 Sustainability Workshop really sets the tone for everything that follows,” said McCullough, emphasizing the significance of this year’s programming. “It’s where the conversations begin, bringing together both attendees and exhibitors to get educated, inspired, and connected before stepping onto the show floor.”
The workshop is curated by industry veterans Jill Dumain of Fractal CSOs, Todd Copeland of Copeland Consultancy LLC, and Kevin Myette of Bluesign Technologies, and will address topical issues impacting textile supply chains and provide actionable strategies.
Key topics include exploring cutting-edge advancements in textile sustainability, scaling new technologies, supply chain decarbonization, circularity and textile-to-textile recycling, understanding risks of forced labor, evolving regulations and new legislation; and supply network complexity. In addition to expert programming, the workshop also includes breakfast, lunch and a networking happy hour.
The focus on decarbonization and circularity, especially textile-to-textile recycling, reflects the industry’s growing prioritization of sustainability. Underscoring this urgency is the emergence of regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which are driving innovations in sustainable fabric sourcing and waste reduction.
Expanded Expert Talks
During the main fair November 12 and 13, the Expert Talks program, sponsored by CovationBio™ Sorona®, will feature over 15 free educational sessions addressing topics of supply chain collaboration, biobased materials, tariffs updates, microplastic solutions, human rights protections, and evolving trade policies. Operational and logistical challenges posed by new regulations and sustainability goals will also be addressed.
A highlight of this year’s series is its emphasis on textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling in a presentation titled “Focus Topic: Textile-to-Textile Recycling – The Role of Recyclers.” T2T recycling is increasingly seen as a benchmark for sustainable practices, enabling the creation of new garments from old ones while maintaining material quality. While Europe leads innovation through textile collection mandates, advancements in sorting technologies, digital passports and recycling systems, these practices are steadily gaining traction in the U.S. and there is a lot to learn.
“This edition’s expanded educational programming reflects the textile industry’s urgent need to address sustainability, circularity and compliance challenges head-on,” said McCullough. “By bringing together leading experts and practitioners with all-new programming, Functional Fabric Fair provides attendees with actionable insights and strategies to shape the future of performance textiles.”
Expert Talks programming is as follows:
Wednesday, November 12:
- Performance Colors by Nora Kuehner – Update Summer 2027 | Kickoff Winter 2027/28: A forward-looking outlook on color trends shaping the seasons ahead.
- Textile-to-Textile: The Role of Recyclers: Diving into the role recyclers play in creating a sustainable circular economy.
- The (Chemical) Additives Panel: Exploring sustainable alternatives and innovations in textile chemistry.
Future Fabrics Expo will host the Expert Talks presentation, “The Future Is Now: New Material Innovation Landscape,” on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 4:15 PM. The session will explore key “hotspots” in material sourcing and highlight pioneering solutions that can make a lasting impact for both people and planet.
Thursday, November 13:
- From Imposing to Inclusion: Rethinking Human Rights Protection in the Supply Chain: A progressive discussion on ethical sourcing and labor protection.
- Tariffs and Evolving Trade Policies and their Impact on U.S. Apparel Sourcing: Updates and tips for navigating complexities in trade laws and tariffs affecting global sourcing.
Functional Fabric Fair is a trade-only event for verified designers, product developers, purchasing agents, material managers and students in the outdoor, performance and lifestyle apparel sectors. Admission is free, though the Day 0 Sustainability Workshop requires separate paid registration. Seats for the workshop are limited.
For more information or to register, click here.
