The morning continued with business insights from Paula Oliveira, director, Interbrand, who explained how sustainability can deliver a marketing edge by differentiating brands and companies. Vivek Tandon, co-founder of French private-equity investor Aloe Group, which specializes in sustainable investments and has interests in the fiber sector, gave an investor’s perspective.

 

Then followed a session in which three textile industry leaders gave their first-hand accounts of the advantages of investment in “clean” manufacturing. Maurizio Ribotti of Canepa SpA (Italy), Roger Yeh of Everest Textile Co Ltd (Taiwan) and Ajay Sardana, of Aditya Birla Group (India) each briefly described their company’s experience and joined an open discussion on the investment case for “green” technology.

 

There was a disappointment for delegates ahead of the lunchtime break when it was announced that Frank Henke, vice president of Social & Environmental Affairs at adidas, had been prevented from attending due to the Lufthansa airline strike in Germany.

 

However, the continuing program was strong and varied. To start the afternoon, delegates received a preview of an important study report by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), part of the University of Cambridge, whose Natural Capital Leaders Platform has investigated the natural capital dependencies and impacts of cotton production and the risks associated with these. The study was conducted in partnership with major businesses including Olam International, Kering, C&A and Asda and its results, presented at the summit jointly by Program Manager Gemma Cranston and Kering’s Head of Sustainable Sourcing Innovation, Helen Crowley, are scheduled for publication at the end of 2015.

 

Christian Dietrich, director, Systain Consulting, described the response of suppliers to an initiative by a grouping of major retailers to mitigate the CO2 burden of their businesses. Helga Vanthournout, engagement manager, McKinsey & Co – an expert on the “circular economy” as it relates to textiles – considered how recycling and reuse of end-of-life products can deliver economic and business value. And developing the theme of materials, Linda Keppinger, Global Materials director, Nike, Inc, reviewed sustainable trends in product development.

 

In conclusion, Burak Tun, director of Sales, Menderes Tekstil (Turkey) and Alan Garosi, Global Marketing manager, Fulgar (Italy) each presented a short case study focusing on their own company’s application of environmentally friendly materials, and were joined on the platform by Peter Waeber of bluesign technologies, for an open discussion on the strategic choices to be made in material selection.

 

Source: CEMATEX