Participants of the 2024 International Down Home Textile Industry Conference. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The 2024 International Down Home Textile Industry Conference was held in Nantong, Jiangsu province, from March 22 to 23.

Representatives of down feather associations from China, Germany, the United States, and other countries gathered in the city to share their industry experiences and insights.

The conference also showcased a global down traceability system and witnessed the release of an action plan to support qualified down feather products.

Workers are busy making down feature products in Nantong. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

China is the largest manufacturing, export, and consumption country of down, with its products accounting for nearly 80 percent of the international market share.

Down bedding plays a crucial role in the home textile industry. Nantong is blessed with a well-developed home textile industry with annual production of over 1.2 billion pieces of bedding and an annual business volume exceeding 240 billion yuan ($33.34 billion).

In the last three years, the production of down quilts in the city has accounted for one third of the nation's total and sales revenues have doubled.

A representative from the China Down Industry Association noted that hosting the conference in Nantong will not only encourage down companies to expand market in the city, but also promote the upgrading of the city's home textile industry.