NUREMBERG – [05.03.09] Over 46,000 visitors poured into the recent BioFach organic trade fair in Germany where a new textile area was launched with over 47 exhibitors of organic and eco-fashion.
The annual event for the organic goods industry attracted a total of 2,744 exhibitors, with two-thirds coming from abroad. As always, Germany was strongly represented with 941 exhibitors, followed by Italy (394), Spain (205), France (181) and Austria (104).
The show is broad-ranging and covers the organic food, cosmetics and wine industries but this is the first time that the show has ventured into the organic and eco-clothing sector and was met with approval by visitors. “BioFach is devoting more attention to textiles, which is great for us. The concept and presentation of the Textile Area were clean and stylish, which we liked a lot. The contacts on the stand were international,” said Marco Speknijder from the Dutch label Fair & Co.
“We are pleased that textiles have been given their own space, as sustainability also concerns clothing and not only food or cosmetics. BioFach and Vivaness offer a complete range for a sustainable lifestyle,” added Antonia Bergmann, Sales & Marketing at Living Crafts Organic Textiles.
Eco fashion was also presented at BioFach on a stand for young innovative companies sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWI): “We are completely satisfied. We wanted to obtain new customers at BioFach and we have made good contacts,” said Wiebke Hövelmeyer from the Hamburg label Fairliebt.
Claus Rättich, Member of the Management Board of NürnbergMesse said that more than 1,500 participants used the ‘Fachandelstag’ retail forum, the new Fair and Ethical Trade Forum and the first Sustainability Conference held immediately before BioFach.
The next BioFach and Vivaness takes place at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 17 – 20 February 2010.
