Events

CLIA President points to AI and sustainability as footwear industry drivers

Sep 29, 2025 UITIC Congress Shanghai 2025

In his speech at the last UITIC Congress, CLIA President Li Yuzhong emphasised the importance of AI and sustainability in reshaping the global footwear industry, presenting China as a key partner

During the opening ceremony of the 22^nd UITIC Congress, held from the 31^st of August to the 3^rd of September, in Shanghai, China, the President of the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) emphasised the importance of open collaboration within the global footwear industry to promote its future growth, highlighting the significant contributions of AI and sustainability-related innovations.

“We are in an era of rapid technological transformation. AI is driving a profound wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, from design, research to production, from marketing to consumer experience. AI has become the core driving force that raises the competitiveness of the footwear industry”, he said.

He added that the green transformation of the entire industrial chain is building a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the industry, with concepts such as low-carbon development and product lifecycle management now widely accepted within the industry.

In this sense, China’s footwear industry has demonstrated its “developmental resilience and risk-resistant capabilities” by achieving significant technological accomplishments in a challenging environment marked by escalating trade disputes and sluggish demand.

In recent years, “new shoe materials, including functional and biodegradable ones, have been undergoing rapid updates. Emerging technologies, such as AI design, 3D printing, and supercritical foaming molding, have stepped into a new stage. The extensive application of Intelligent technologies, smart factories and Intelligent logistics system have transformed the Chinese footwear enterprises from ‘manufacturing’ to ‘intelligent manufacturing’”, he summarised.

The CLIA President then invited members of the global industry to cooperate. “In the age of AI, in order to raise the competitiveness and promote sustainable development of the footwear industry, we must insist on the principles of open, innovation, and cooperation. By working hand in hand, we will jointly confront the challenges and seize the opportunities”.

About UITIC 2025

The 22^ndedition of the UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress took place in Shanghai from the 31^stof August to the 3^rdof September. Organised by the International Union of Shoe Industry Technicians (UITIC) and the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), the event was held under the motto “Competitiveness and Sustainability in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”.

During the first two days of the event, participants were able to visit manufacturing facilities in the region. The congress itself then took place, with presentations divided into four sub-themes. According to the organisers, 300 delegates from across the industry, including China, Italy, Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, the UK, Canada, Mexico and India, participated in the Congress.

Image Credits: uitic2025.com