November 12, 2024 Sustainability “takes the stage” – Check out the program at ISPO Munich 2024
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!
At this year’s ispo munich, sustainability will play a key role, inspiring and influencing many aspects of the event. Running December 3–5 under the slogan “Love Every Contact,” the show’s organizers have aimed to offer an immersive experience in advancing responsible practices across the outdoor and sports industries.
A focal point of the event will again be the Sustainability Hub, organized in partnership with Patagonia. This dedicated space is designed for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) professionals — from manufacturers to brands and retailers — to engage with innovations advancing greater responsibility.
“This year, the hub is all about shaping the future of sustainability in sports,” says Alexandra Denker, ISPO’s Category Manager for Sustainability & Snowsports.
“Themes will include natural materials, climate action, and circular economy practices.”
Leading names like BIOTEXFUTURE, Gore-Tex, and Globetrotter will present solutions, from recycling advancements to transparency tools. Other highlights will include exclusive presentations on bio-spandex, clean tech, and advanced recycling innovations.
Ski Industry Climate Summit
The Green Stage will include discussions on critical topics, from the EU Green Deal to decarbonization and biodiversity. Louisa Smith, a well-known trend expert, will join industry leaders from Patagonia, Decathlon Pulse, and Atomic to explore their pioneering solutions.
For those arriving early, the Ski Industry Climate Summit on December 2-3rd will feature inspiring case studies and hands-on workshops. Keynotes will cover decarbonization, sustainable materials, and collaborative strategies.
“ISPO Munich 2024 is set to be a landmark gathering for those dedicated to driving sustainability in sports, offering fresh insights and practical paths forward for the industry,” concludes Alexandra Denker.
So, what can both dedicated sustainability professionals and the CSR-curious crowds look forward to at the show? Here are the select picks:
Monday, 12/02/24
10:30 – 17:30
BIOTEXFUTURE Fall Forum 2024: Sporttextilien und Bio-Innovationen – Die Zukunft von Performance gestalten
Rooms A31 / A32 (1st floor)
The sporting goods of the future are „bio-based“ and „circular“, but how do the concrete products look like in reality? What are the specific biological options to replace crude-oil based synthetics or hazardous chemicals for the production of dyes and finishes? And how do they perform? BIOTEXFUTURE is showcasing already today, how the future of the sporting goods sector may look like tomorrow and invites you to exchange views and to participate in the BIOTEXFUTURE Fall Forum. The BIOTEXFUTURE Fall Forum 2024 is a one day event and free of charge! Due to limited capacities, please kindly register until 15 November 2024 on the website: www.biotexfuture.info. Event tickets will be allocated on a „first come, first serve“ basis. The innovation space BIOTEXFUTURE is a textile research project on new bio-based materials for the textile production.
Tuesday, 12/03/24
11:00 – 12:00
Sustainability Hub Guided Tour
With: Anna Rodewald and Cira Riedel
Sustainability Hub Info Point (A2.540)
The Sustainability Hub is a marketplace that showcases the latest approaches to ESG (environment, social, and governance) solutions in the sports industry and beyond. Get a compact overview of the Sustainability Hub, provided by GreenroomVoice and meet the exhibitors in person. No registration required, just come by 15 minutes before the tour and grab your headphones at the Info Point.
13:00 – 13:45
Sustainability and Major Sporting Events – Do They Go Together?
With: Stephan Brause, Head of the 2040 Germany Olympic Bid
Hall B2, Main Stage
The question of what major sporting events are capable of achieving will not only be explored using the example of the Olympic Games. Paris 2024 started with great ambitions and was completely convincing at first glance. But do the Paris Games stand up to a critical second look? Did the organizers, the athletes and the audience dare to not only address the dimensions of health, sustainability, inclusion, community spirit and social cohesion, but also influence them effectively?
13:00 – 13:45
Building the Business Case for Sustainability: Empowering Diverse Brands and Navigating the Complex Path to Group-Wide Success
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
TBA
14:00 – 14:45
Gecko Components: an accelerator for biomaterial revolution
With: François Delaunoy, CEO Gecko Components; Florent De Gantès, Decathlon PULSE; Sarrah Harbarth, CEO KUORI
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
Presentation of Gecko Components, transforming existing biomaterials innovations into ready-to-market materials, meeting the demands of the consumer goods industry. By leveraging material innovations developed by start-ups, Gecko Components enhances material technical properties, adapts them to large-scale production requirements, and supports the industrialization stage.
15:00 – 16:00
Material Lab Guided Tour
With: Leonhard Nima, Founder, Studio Nima
Hall A2, Sustainability Hub Info Point (A2.540)
The Material Lab is an exhibition of innovative, bio-based materials as part of the Sustainability Hub. Exhibitors showcase the life cycle and steps of their material development, from raw material to intermediary steps and the final product. Get a compact overview of the Material Lab, provided by Studio Nima and meet the exhibitors in person. No registration required, just come by 15 minutes before the tour and grab your headphones at the Info Point.
16:00 – 16:45
regenTM BIO Spandex driven by Geno BDO Technology
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
17:00 – 17:45
CELYS Compostable Polyester – A Game-Changing Innovation for Future of Polyester
With: Helen Weng, Intimiti Australia
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
TBA
Wednesday, 12/04/24
10:00 – 10:45
Beyond Compliance: Best Practices for Achieving Transparency and Sustainability
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
This talk will focus on key sustainability themes aligned with Patagonia’s leadership, emphasizing collaboration with suppliers, data-driven impact, and transparent supply chain practices. It will explore how brands like Patagonia and VAUDE lead the way in navigating regulatory pressures while highlighting the importance of integrating sustainability as a core business strategy. Additionally, the talk will showcase how technology empowers CSR teams to drive real-time collaboration and enhance sustainability initiatives. This panel talk is presented by Retraced.
11:00 – 12:00
Sustainability Hub Guided Tour
With: Anna Rodewald and Cira Riedel
Sustainability Hub Info Point (A2.540)
The Sustainability Hub is a marketplace that showcases the latest approaches to ESG (environment, social, and governance) solutions in the sports industry and beyond. Get a compact overview of the Sustainability Hub, provided by GreenroomVoice and meet the exhibitors in person. No registration required, just come by 15 minutes before the tour and grab your headphones at the Info Point.
11:00 – 11:45
Sustainability as a Business Directive
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
More than 20 billion pairs of shoes are thrown into landfill sites every year and most of them are using materials that are cross linked and cannot be recycled and will not degrade for up to one thousand years. Cirql provides a scalable solution to meet the demand from footwear brands for advanced sustainable footwear materials specifically designed with consideration for their end of life.
11:15 – 12:00
Building the Future with Patagonia: New Supply Chains & the Shift to the Better and Bigger
With: Matt Dwyer, Patagonia
Hall B2, Main Stage
The sport business is committed to decarbonization, to banning fossil fuels from the supply chains! But where do we stand? Is the pace keeping up with climate-related requirements? Patagonia invites you to openly share insights to engage the entire industry and accelerate the transition and reduction of emissions. Together, we are engaging in dialogue to focus on the impact of the supply chain and take concrete and appropriate steps towards decarbonization.
12:00 – 12:45
Infinite Recycling: The Future of Sustainable Polyester and Green Design
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
This presentation explores the innovative processes driving the infinite recycling of polyester, a key solution in reducing textile waste and promoting sustainability. Through the lens of green design, we will examine how recycled polyester can contribute to a circular economy, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of this approach for the future of sustainable textiles.
13:00 – 13:45
Responsible Sourcing: Why Apparel companies need to start considering Nature through Science-Based Targets
With: Evelyne Keller & Tim Mollenhauer, Anthesis GmbH
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
In response to the pressing environmental challenges, the apparel and sports industry is increasingly adopting responsible sourcing targets. Within these targets more and more companies have started considering science-based targets to better align with nature. This presentation of Anthesis GmbH at ISPO 2024 will guide attendees through the importance of sustainable sourcing and the implementation of science-based targets for nature, aimed at reducing the industry’s ecological footprint. We will explore actionable approaches for incorporating responsible sourcing strategies into business practices, from sustainable material selection and product lifecycle extension to closed-loop manufacturing systems. The session will also emphasize the importance of setting science-based targets that safeguard biodiversity, water resources, and land use, ensuring that fashion companies operate within planetary boundaries and considering the fact that the industry depends on nature in the upstream and downstream value chain. By showcasing industry case studies and practical insights, this presentation will equip professionals with the tools needed to foster a regenerative relationship with nature, ensuring both environmental sustainability and business success in the evolving apparel landscape.
14:00 – 14:45
Measure. Report. Decarbonize: How the leading sportswear brands do it
With: Philipp Engels, On; Jessica Genta, La Sportiva; Angie Wu, Carbonfact
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
In the sportswear industry, performance is paramount. But right now, everyone faces the same challenge: how can we create high-performance products while reducing our environmental impact? This panel discussion with Carbonfact, La Sportiva, and On will explore how data-driven insights can drive decarbonization and help sportswear brands build a sustainability strategy that’s aligned with the new regulations, such as the CSRD. We will share our experience and provide hands-on advice on navigating data collection, product footprint measurement, reporting, and eco-design – while maintaining high performance.
15:00 – 16:00
Material Lab Guided Tour
With: Leonhard Nima, Studio Nima
Hall A2, Sustainability Hub Info Point (A2.540)
The Material Lab is an exhibition of innovative, bio-based materials as part of the Sustainability Hub. Exhibitors showcase the life cycle and steps of their material development, from raw material to intermediary steps and the final product. Get a compact overview of the Material Lab, provided by Studio Nima and meet the exhibitors in person. No registration required, just come by 15 minutes before the tour and grab your headphones at the Info Point.
16:00 – 16:45
All In. The Power of Partnership. Turning field corn into fiber to help make fashion more sustainable.
With: Steven R. Stewart, The Lycra Company
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
17:00 – 17:45
Social Impacts and Diversity – what do EU-legislations require?
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
Thursday, 12/05/24
10:00 – 10:45
Sustainability and Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities for your business
With: Mélanie Bruneau, Dr. Annette Mutschler-Sibert, Gabriela da Costa, K&L Gates
Hall A2, Green Stage (A2.626)
EU and UK legal and regulatory trends and developments in sustainability and innovation, including green claims, greenwashing, ecodesign, waste management and recycling.
11:00 – 12:00
Sustainability Hub Guided Tour
With: Anna Rodewald and Cira Riedel
Sustainability Hub Info Point (A2.540)
15:00 – 16:00
Material Lab Guided Tour
With: Leonhard Nima, Studio Nima
Hall A2, Sustainability Hub Info Point (A2.540)
The Material Lab is an exhibition of innovative, bio-based materials as part of the Sustainability Hub. Exhibitors showcase the life cycle and steps of their material development, from raw material to intermediary steps and the final product. Get a compact overview of the Material Lab, provided by Studio Nima and meet the exhibitors in person. No registration required, just come by 15 minutes before the tour and grab your headphones at the Info Point
Photo: ISPO Messe München
