MORE THAN THREE DOZEN PORTUGUESE COMPANIES PRESENT AT ISPO MUNICH

Returning to the German city of Munich, the 2023 edition of ISPO MUNICH once again welcomes a vast international community of companies linked to the world of sport. All in all, more than 1,600 exhibitors will be present at this world-renowned fair. Portugal has a strong delegation with more than 35 entities committed to presenting the latest innovations in sports fashion and technical and functional textiles.

Fair par excellence in technical products for a sports area, ISPO MUNICH will welcome the heavyweights of the national textile industry. TMG Textiles is one of those cases that confesses that it expects an increase in the visitor number when compared to the last edition. “It is unquestionable that the investment for a worthy presence at a fair of this size has increasingly great consideration”, assumes Hélder Rosendo, business director. As for new features, TMG will present “the TECHNIQUES capsule that integrates fabrics and knits and is aimed at the athleisure and active wear segment, covering the different types of use in clothing (base layer, mid layer, and outer layer). In this edition, we focus on references that combine Circulose fiber in different combinations, enhancing the fact that TMG is one of the companies in the world that is part of the Circulose Suppliers Network”, explains Hélder Rosendo.

Convinced that this is one of the fairs “in which it reaps the most rewards”, LMA returns to ISPO MUNICH where, says Luís Sousa Dias, the sales officer of the company, “we meet most of the clients we work with in our daily lives, and the best-prepared buyers in terms of high-performance textile items are present.”

Focused on sustainability and innovation in processes and products, it is for the third time that heavyweight JF Almeida will participate in ISPO MUNICH where, explains Liliana Miranda, commercial department, they will present several new features “from innovative and sustainable finishes to technical fabrics with specific purposes for the practice of sports and outdoor activities”. However, the star product will be a new waterproof and sustainable fabric “perfect for outdoor activities”, adds Liliana Miranda. Focusing on the European and North American markets, JF Almeida admits that, so far, the feedback from participation in the fair “has been very productive and aligned with the business strategy”, which involves increasing the exhibition share in the technical and sports textiles market segment.

Considering ISPO MUNICH an “excellent marketing and publicity tool for the company”, Lunartex returns for another edition of the event where it will present, among other new features, a headband made of microfiber polyamide with silicone application. “The main markets that we intend to reinforce and/or reach are Europe and North America”, says Rui Lopes, who believes that this edition of ISPO will meet expectations as well as the results achieved in previous editions.

Electing ISPO MUNICH as “the key event in the technical textiles segment”, Smart Innovation will bring the latest innovations in functional finishes to Germany. Specifically, Mário Brito, the CCO of the company, highlights Si Bac-Pure as “an antimicrobial with antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and odor-control action”, as well as Si Repel Mosquito “an insect repellent with more than 100 washes of resistance and no toxicity.” With 80% of sales in the international market, Smart Innovation hopes to strengthen the International customer network because, adds Mário Brito, “presence at this fair gives the opportunity to increase visibility in the market and maintain credibility and reputation among partners and customers”, consider.

Regarding the sports fashion brand pavilions, Portugal also takes on a prominent position with representation by a strong group of clothing companies and brands focused on the sports area.

Presenting a great new product at ISPO, the Waterproof JKT waterproof running jacket, Joaquim Anjos (2 Move Garments) is excited about “ISPO potential in the sports industry”. The words are from Joaquim Anjos, CEO, who explains the jacket is extremely light and developed with European fabric. “We will also present our first products dedicated to cycling, a bib short and a zipped t-shirt”, adds. Paula Santos remembers the main objective is to expand the Fyke brand in the European market.

Returning in 2022 after a short break, it is with new joy that FLM Têxteis returns to ISPO MUNICH, which it describes as “a remarkable fair since the market is mainly Central European and Nordic. In this sense, this is a fair very well positioned geographically”, says Sandra Pinto, from the development department. “We will present a range of products with several manufacturing techniques that we have mastered with different finishes and materials. The star of our collection is the piece we presented in the competition, which encompasses a synergy of conventional manufacturing techniques and the latest technological innovations”, concludes.

Participating with great enthusiasm for the first time at ISPO MUNICH in the Brand New category, the start-up Kicks promises to capture the attention of international customers. “As a 100% vegan hemp footwear and accessories start-up, we will be in the Brand New section and apply for the Brand New Awards”, explains João Matos. “Our star products are undoubtedly waterproof sneakers and waterproof backpacks. We will have running shoes and knit sneakers on display for the first time, the first of their kind in the world made with hemp”, concludes.

Also making its debut is the NCFHK Company, which admits it has “good expectations” because it is at this fair that “our outdoor segment customers meet”, says Miguel Ferreira, project manager of the company based in Viana do Castelo. “We will present outdoor jackets for all seasons using seamless techniques”, reveals the project manager, which recently opened a new factory.

With four editions in its portfolio, it is with optimism that Beppi returns to participate in ISPO MUNICH. Hugo Silva, the commercial director, notes: “We always do new business and new customers with each edition”. “We have the advantage of being very strong in the children segment with products with an excellent price/quality ratio. By participating in ISPO MUNICH, we managed to achieve a positioning as a reference brand on the billboard”, explains the commercial director, who has meetings already scheduled with clients from Germany, Lebanon, and Ukraine but hopes to meet clients from the Middle East.

As usual, the research centers sector - CENTI and CITEVE - are also present at another edition of ISPO MUNICH. The iTechStyle Green Circle showcase also makes the first international appearance of its new collection. “We will present 12 outfits with application in athleisure in a slightly different approach than we have taken so far. We increasingly prioritize sustainable finishing processes and do not just focus on fibers”, explains Cristina Castro, CITEVE public relations. Therefore, in addition to being developed using sustainable raw materials, the outfits included in this edition of ISPO MUNICH, for example, “use renewable energy, less use of water in dyeing, coloring processes without dyes”, also mentions Cristina Castro, remembering that the country and the sector continue to reinforce their differentiating position in the international market.

The participation of Portuguese companies in ISPO is an initiative by Selectiva Moda and ATP – Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal, which aims to promote the internationalization of Portuguese companies in the Fashion sector. The “From Portugal” project is co-financed by the European Union, within the scope of Portugal 2030, through the Compete 2030 - Innovation and Digital Transition thematic program.