November 6, 2023 Sustainability Program at ISPO Munich 2023
ISPO Munich is just around the corner. Suston has picked out the the best sustainability-related expert panels, discussions, and workshops that you won’t want to miss!
Tuesday, November 28
10:00-11.00
State of Trade
With: Scott Nelson, Director of Operations, European Outdoor Group
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1
10:00-12:00
PFAS Round Table
With: Phil Patterson, MD, Colour Connections Textile Consultancy, Jan Beringer, Senior Scientific Expert, Hohenstein Group
Location: EOG Conference Room A31/A32 (First floor above hall A3)
Synopsis: With mounting global restrictions on PFAS the industry has so far been focused on substitution for obvious applications (water repellent membranes and coatings). However, as businesses start to test other components and investigate their products more thoroughly, there is mounting evidence to suggest PFAS are being used in many other applications; in zips and trims, or as production auxiliaries.
This workshop will focus on the unexpected applications of PFAS and discuss topics such as; policy, potential uses outside of the obvious, screening testing and evaluation, and how to work with suppliers on the topic.
10:00 – 10:45 Uhr
Unlocking performance & design through Biology” for waterproof/breathable membrane.
With: Kashif NoorBiomaterials VP of business development, Modern Meadow
Location: Messe München, Halle A1, Green Stage
11:00 – 12:00
Sustainability Hub Guided Tour
This day joined by Suston’s Editor-in-chief Gabriel telling about Solution Journalism.
Location: Hall 1, Sustainability Hub
11:00-11:30
Single Use Plastics Project: Relaunch
With: Verity Hardy, Sustainability Project Manager, European Outdoor Group
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
11:30-12:30
Building the EU Circularity Ecosystem
With: Theresa McKenny, Director of Sustainability at NEMO
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Join NEMO Equipment and their collaborators United Repair Centre, and Allied Feather & Down to discuss the importance of thoughtful design, systems thinking, and partnerships in building the circular economy. All delivered through the lens of their exciting and ground breaking new project ‘Endless Promises’.
12:30-13:00
EOG CSR and Sustainability Update
With: Katy Stevens, Head of CSR & Sustainability, European Outdoor Group
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Join Katy Stevens to hear about current CSR and sustainability activities at the EOG. Meet the team and get updates on ongoing projects and future undertakings and opportunities for member engagement.
13:00-14:00
Natural Rubber – Responsible sourcing from Forest to Retail
With: Sean Nyquist, Rubber Lead at FSC; Dr. Antje Ahrends, Head of Genetics & Conservation, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh; Maiprae Loyen, Managing Director at AGRIAC
David Ekelund, co-Founder and co-CEO at Icebug
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: The Apparel and Footwear industry is striving to reduce negative environmental and climate impact. Focus has turned to scope 3 emissions and the impact of the materials and fibers used in products. Natural and renewable materials can be part of the solution, but only if sourced responsibly.
In a 3-year project, Forest Stewardship Council® has taken on the task to support the industry in its transition from finite and fossil fuel-based materials to forest-based materials, like natural rubber, MMCFs (man-made cellulosic fibers), and cork. Together with brands, we have formalized sourcing policies, connected value chains from forest to retail, and facilitated collaboration beyond company and country borders. In this session, we will deep dive natural rubber and how it can be sourced responsibly, for both environmental and social impact.
13:00 – 13:45
Packaging Impacts on Sustainability for Outdoor Brands
Diskussion with: Adam Samara Business Relationship Manager, Billerud
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
14:00-14:30
Q&A session for EOG:BSI Sustainability Data Exchange Project
With: Scott Nelson, Director of Operations, European Outdoor Group
Location: BSI Booth, Hall A1. booth 152
Synopsis: The EOG and BSI launched the SDEX Questionnaire in June 2023, and since then the industry has been able to implement the questionnaire. This session will be an open Q&A session for anybody who is aware of the SDEX Questionnaire and have specific questions? [For those completely new to the SDEX Questionnaire, please join the ‘Introduction to EOG:BSI Sustainability Data Exchange Project, Wednesday 29th, 16:30 – 17:00]
15:00 – 15:45
Cradle to Cradle makes you a futureproof front runner – with a positive footprint
With: Cedric WintraeckenQuality Manager, EPEA GmbH
Location: Halle A1, Green Stage
Synopsis:What steps do we take to enhance safe and circular products that are beneficial to humans and nature? Sports and outdoor products aiming for the highest possible performance. Is this still the case when it goes beyond functional and economic performance? When performance is connected to innovation and beneficial design, we can achieve products that are truly made for their use in our environment – without overseeing its production and the product’s after-use. Performance that embraces a future-proof design while responding to global environmental challenges with maximizing our positive footprint. By applying the Cradle to Cradle principles, EPEA empowers companies and their supply chain to design and optimize products for material health and recyclability – ensuring that it is a resource for the future. Instead of being less bad, we aim for products with a positive contribution to the economy, environment and society. Design is the first signal of human intention – especially in the world of sports and outdoors where nature is being celebrated. Let’s join our journey in understanding the broader sense of high-quality performance and pioneering product development.
15.45:-16.30
Synergies and Leverages in the Social and Labour Space
With: Carolina Van Loenen, Sustainable Apparel Coalition; Lottie Watkinson, Social Labour Convergence Program; Jason Mandels, Fair Wear Foundation
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
17:00 – 17:45
Prototyping a fossil-free future – How VAUDE and UPM think beyond recycling
Panel Talk with: Martin Ledwon (Vice President of Sustainability, Marketing and Communications, UPM Biorefining, Dr. Gerd Unkelbach (Director Molecular Bioproducts R&D, UPM Biochemicals), René Bethmann (Senior Innovation Manager Materials and Manufacturing & Consultant VAUDE Academy for sustainable business, VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG)
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
Wednesday, November 29
07:30-09:00
Industry Breakfast
Location: CSR HUB
Join the EOG team for a selection of relevant industry presentations, a chance to network with your peers, and of course, breakfast. Presentations to include the following:
Growing Change: Collaborations to Keep Ancient Forests out of Supply Chains
Speaker: Cait Green, Senior Corporate Campaigner, Canopy
Roughly 3 billion (yes that’s billion) trees are cut down each year to produce textiles and paper packaging. Yet, with the climate and biodiversity crises our world is facing, keeping our forests standing is more important than ever. In this session, learn about the not-for- profit organization Canopy and how they work hand-in-hand with global brands to protect the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests. Together, they collaborate to transform unsustainable MMCF and packaging supply chains, catalyze innovative Next Generation Solutions, help advance frontline community rights, and conserve vital forest ecosystems all over the world.
Engaging with our Athletes communities around climate action
Speaker: Marie-Laure Piednoir; Global Sustainability & Impact Director, Solomon
Synopsis: Our outdoor industry’s responsibility towards our planet goes beyond our core business and manufacturing practices. Salomon will share how they engage with their athletes on climate action through their Salomon Sports Pledge, and how as an industry we can use our influence power to trigger broader action across the society.
09:10-10:00
Next Generation Materials Showcase – An Expert’s Perspective
With: Alexa Dehmel, Sports Clothing Design & Functional Material Consultancy
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Alexa will focus on trends and what is new in terms of fabric development, what new materials we are seeing in terms of innovation and sustainability and critically how these is meeting brands performance and creative requirements. Covered topics are what’s next on membranes; next generation of elastane; future responsible recycled, biobased or biodegradable synthetics and performance natural fibers; all viewed in terms of performance, innovation and sustainability.
10:00-10:30
Advancing climate action with science-based data: the case of Salomon hardgoods LCA
With: Marie-Laure Piednoir; Global Sustainability & Impact Director, Solomon
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: As 2023 sees the wintersports industry accelerating on climate commitments, collaborative action can only be informed through accurate science-based data. Salomon will share how they informed their climate commitments through a scientific approach and how, from a historically secretive and competitive industry, they decided to open source their hardgoods LCA to support the industry towards faster climate action.
10:00 – 10:45
Designed to endure – but not to last
Panel Talk with: Sigrid SvedbergCo-Founder, FibreStrap, Tobias BergarpCo-Founder, FibreStrap
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
10:30-11:00
Project: Protection of RMG Workers in Bangladesh Against Workplace Accidents
With: Dr Anne Marie La Rosa, International Labour Organisation
Shafiq Islam, Special Advisor, RMG Pilot on workplace accident
Martine Riblan, Sustainability Specialist, Oberalp
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: A decade after the tragic Rana Plaza disaster, the protection of workers in Bangladesh against work-related injuries remains inadequate. Remarkably, Bangladesh is the sole among the top 20 Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exporting countries without any form of social insurance scheme, including for work-related injuries.
Fortunately, this situation is on the brink of change. Weak work-related injury is an unacceptable risk for both workers and businesses. Join us to learn why prominent brands in the outdoor sector have chosen to support the ‘Pilot on Employment Injury in the Textile Sector in Bangladesh’. They view it not only as a socially responsible commitment but also as a catalyst for a national transformation toward a comprehensive protection scheme that provides effective remedies.
11:00 – 12:00
Sustainability Hub Guided Tour
Location: Hall 1, Sustainability Hub
11:00-12:00
Changing Gear for the Forests – Considerations and Insight on Including Forests in Your Sustainability and Sourcing Policy
With: Michele Cliffe, Senior Corporate Campaigner, Canopy
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Forests are part of the Earth’s key systems, and including forest-derived products is a key element of a comprehensive sustainability sourcing strategy. Canopy is an environmental non-profit with a mission to keep Ancient and Endangered Forests standing. They do this by working with global companies to set bold commitments and implement practices that ensure our most precious forests are not appearing in their supply chains.
With strong expertise on fabrics and paper packaging, Canopy collaborates with innovator companies to help bring lower carbon, lower impact solutions to scale, such as using waste agricultural fibres. Canopy guides more than 900 global brand partners on sustainable sourcing, legislation compliance, and integration of Next Gen solutions that lessen companies’ impacts on the planet. In this session, Canopy will discuss the threats facing forests and unpack the key elements of a strong forest policy.
11:00-12:00
Protect Our Winters – Manifesto and Strategy Update
With: Dan Yates, Director of Partnerships and Initiatives, POW Europe
Location: EOG Stage Hall A1
Synopsis: Protect Our Winters (POW) continues to be a guiding force for the snow sports industry, raising awareness amongst stakeholders around the critical need to reduce carbon footprints of the sector and ensure that it has a future for all. Join to hear about their manifesto in detail and see where they’re strategy will take them in the coming years.
12:00 – 12:45
Closing the Loop: Reorienting Design Thinking Through Eco-Conscious Textile Design
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
Synopsis: Current fashion designs all want to claim they are eco-friendly, but most only use sustainable materials superficially. To truly achieve environmental friendliness, it must start from the product design stage. Only by incorporating green design, low-carbon manufacturing, extending product lifespan, and addressing recyclability after disposal, can the pollution caused by the conventional textile industry be solved. Green design thinking needs to be integrated from the onset, considering the entire lifecycle and circularity of textiles. This reorientation of the design process is imperative to realize genuinely eco-conscious apparel and build a sustainable future for the industry.
12:30-13:00
Improved Purchasing Practices
With: Jason Mandels, Brand Liaison and New Membership, Fair Wear Foundation
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1
Synopsis: There is growing evidence that poor purchasing practices by some brands and retailers have contributed to and even driven human rights issues in supply chains. This trend prevails even where issues such as low wages and long working hours are prohibited in those same companies’ own human rights policies and standards.
Responsible purchasing practices can go a long way in reducing negative impacts on workers in supply chains. They have the potential to support and enable improved working conditions, the implementation of living wages and better planning and business sustainability among suppliers. It highlights the crucial role that purchasing practices can play in creating a more ethical and sustainable global supply chain. To help brands get started, Fair Wear will offer valuable tips and tricks.
13:00 – 13:45
textile recycling – a compelling challenge
Panel Talk with: Kim Scholze (Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Sympatex), Marc Schubert (COO and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Looper Textile Co.), Nicole Kösegi (Management Consultant, solutions for business) Ruth OberrauchFounder / Head of Sustainability and Member of the Board, LaMunt / Oberalp Group
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
13:00-14:00
Sustainable Change for Animals & the Planet
With: Rebecca Picallo Gil, Textiles Campaigner and Mobilisation Coordinator, Four Paws
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Four Paws will join and offer an overview of the status quo of animal welfare in the textiles industry. They will then deep dive what the term “animal welfare” means and how can the sector can guarantee it in the outdoor industry. Finally, they will discuss trends and developments, further highlighting the demand for higher animal welfare and what FOUR PAWS recommends for a compassionate and accountable fashion industry.
14:00-14:30
How Technology is Improving Social Supplier Sue Diligence in by Delivering 24/7 Monitoring
With: Mandeep Soor, Co-Founder and CEO, Bendi
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Fashion’s ability to monitor labour rights in supply chains has historically consisted of social compliance audits, traceability questionnaires and on-the-ground relationships with factory managers, agents and/or union representatives.
Bendi will share how technology can progress social sustainability – complimenting traditional approaches such as audits – towards 24/7 supply chain monitoring and due diligence to help brands avoid surprises and comply with increasingly harmonized due diligence requirements.
14:00 – 14:45
Eggs, Algae and Mycelium – Circular Material Innovations for a Sustainable Transformation
Lecture with: Leonhard NimaFounder, Studio Nima
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
Synopsis: What is the role that circular materials can play for a sustainable transformation? In this session, we will share insights into latest developments of sustainable and innovative materials and dive into best practice examples for circular materials. We are going to explore bio-based polymers, biodegradable yarn and textiles, and plant-based down feather alternatives; a variety of innovative circular materials made from biowaste from eggshells, agricultural byproducts such as pineapple leaves, algae, hemp, and mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi. We will look at examples from our Material Lab & Circular Experience exhibition and will explore use cases for the sports industry and discuss the way forward for innovative circular materials.
14:30-15:00
Digitized & Standardized Impact Analysis: Unpacking PEF-Driven LCA for the Outdoor Industry
With: Laurent Bocahut, Co-Founder and CEO, PEF Trust
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Exploring how the PEF methodology and PEFCR operate for softgoods and the upcoming implementation for hardgoods, enabling outdoor brands and manufacturers to consistently evaluate and communicate the environmental impact of their products.
16:30-17:00
Introduction to EOG:BSI Sustainability Data Exchange Project
With: Katy Stevens, EOG, Maïté Angleys, BSI
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: Since early 2023, the European Outdoor Group (EOG) and the Bundesverband der Deutschen Sportartikel-Industrie (BSI) have been running a Sustainability Data Exchange Project. This project addresses the problematic situation around the exchange of sustainability data at product level between brand and retail. Currently, in most cases, extensive Excel spreadsheets and questionnaires must be filled out for each product and for each trading partner. Overall, this process is very time-consuming for all parties involved due to duplicated work steps. This session will present the outcomes of the project so far including a sneak peek at the first prototype.
16:00 – 16:45
Going Green with PLM: Driving a Circular Economy
Panel Talk with: Roman HenzlerRegional Sales Manager, SMB Central Europe; Andreas FischerPrincipal Consultant Presales, Centric Software
Location, Hall A1, Green Stage
Synopsis: Pioneering PLM solutions integrate this closed loop model into managing every aspect of product development – from manufacturing, supply chain and distribution, through to returning, repurposing and recycling the product or material. PLM offers functionality to empower the production of durable, repairable and easily recyclable garments, as well as packaging. When it comes to managing End-of-Life within PLM, fashion, outdoor and sportswear brands are now able to add circular labelling or tags within the Bill of Labor (BOL) such as ‘return’, ‘deconstruction’, ‘chopping / shredding / grinding’, ‘chemical treatment’ and ‘sale’ (back to a spinning company, for example).To support the fashion, outerwear and textile sector towards eco-responsibility, Centric Software has conducted around 40 research projects with its customers and partners around the world. After analysing the feedback and industry best practice gleaned from the research, Centric added new configurations to enrich its Centric 8 PLM modules. This session will focus on the pillar of achieving a circular economy with industry best-practices and case studies.
17:00 – 17:45
REWARDOWN – Achieving high quality recycled down
With: ason WangDirector of Down Sale & Marketing Center, Zhejiang Samsung Down Co., Ltd, Rob SwaseyEurope Regional Manager, IDFL LABORATORY AND INSTITUTE
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
17:00-17:45
Suston Magazine Panel: Creating great collaborations – success factors and pitfalls
With: Gabriel Arthur, Editor-in-Chief, Suston Magazine & CEO, NORR Agency. (Moderator)
Location: EOG Stage, Hall A1 244
Synopsis: In theory, sustainability collaboration between brands, suppliers etc. is a win-win. And to create positive change at scale, they are also a must. But in practice, what steps need to be taken to move from a great idea to a successful project? And what pitfalls can make collaborations lose their momentum? In this panel talk, Gabriel Arthur from Suston Magazine invites collaboration experts from the outdoor industry to share their do’s and don’ts.
All the best sustainability projects are the result of collaboration, so come and join us to network with your peers and industry stakeholders at the Sustainability Sundowner.
Thursday, November 30
11:00 – 12:00
Sustainability Hub Guided Tour
Location: Hall 1, Sustainability Hub
11:00 – 11:45
ISPO Textrends – The ‘S’ Word
Keynote with: Louisa SmithInternational Textile Trend Consultant
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
12:00-13:00
Balancing Sustainability and Performance: How to Assess Alternatives to Fossil-Based Materials
Location: Conference Room C11 (First floor above Hall C1)
The search for alternatives to fossil-based materials is more pressing than ever. But how do we assess new materials to ensure we are not confronted with harmful trade-offs? How can we include a holistic sustainability assessment to make informed decisions for the products of tomorrow? Join us for an interactive session where we’ll dive deeper into
the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Methodology and how to go beyond traditional LCAs with microplastic leakage and circularity assessments. Brought to you by the multi-stakeholder Glaukos project, this session aims to foster an insightful sustainability discussion.
Join the conversation and engage with environmental assessments experts and peers to drive sustainable transformation within the sporting goods industry, together.
12:00 – 12:45
Are workers well protected against work-related injuries in Bangladesh?
Panel Talk with: Martine RiblanSustainability Specialist, Oberalp; Shafiqul IslamPilot on Occupational Injury, Bangladesh; Dr. Anne-Marie La RosaSenior Coordinator for the Pilot Bangladesh, ILO
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
Synopsis: A decade after the tragic Rana Plaza disaster, the protection of workers in Bangladesh against work-related injuries remains inadequate. Remarkably, Bangladesh is the sole among the top 20 Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exporting countries without any form of social insurance scheme, including for work-related injuries. \n Fortunately, this situation is on the brink of change. Weak work-related injury is an unacceptable risk for both workers and businesses. Join us to learn why prominent brands have chosen to support the Pilot on Employment Injury in the Textile Sector in Bangladesh. They view it not only as a socially responsible commitment but also as a catalyst for a national transformation toward a comprehensive protection scheme that provides effective remedies. \n The event will commence with a brief presentation on the technical aspects of the Pilot and the accomplishments achieved so far. Following this, representatives from leading brands will share insights into their commitment and willingness to back this transformative initiative. A Q&A will be held to address your queries.
13:00 – 13:45
Defossilizing the footwear material value chain with plant-based materials
With: Gérald AlvoëtVice President Marketing, Evoco Ltd.
Location: Hall A1, Green Stage
Photo: Messe Munchen GmbH
