World Textile Summit packs powerful line up of speakers

06 Oct '15

3 min read

To run concurrently with ITMA 2015, the World textile Summit has a powerful line up of speakers who will present on pursuing a strong sustainability policy in the textile manufacturing value chain on November 13.

“The Summit will delve into a range of topics that link decisions on sustainability to profitability and corporate success,” an ITMA press release informed.

These include the role of sustainability in; differentiating brands and companies; business profitability and security; investment decisions; the circular supply chain; customer acquisition and retention and product development.

“The opening address will be delivered by Mary Porter Peschka, global acting director (sustainable business advisory) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC),” the organisers added.

IFC published a 2012 report highlighting the ways in which sustainable business practices can cut costs, increase revenues, reduce risk and improve access to capital through better governance.

Paula Oliveira, director at Interbrand, will explain how sustainability can deliver a marketing edge by differentiating brands and companies.

Vivek Tandon, co-founder of French private-equity investor Aloe Group, which specialises in sustainable investments and has interests in the fibre sector will also speak on the subject.

“First-hand experience of the advantages of investment in ‘clean’ manufacturing will come from three textile industry leaders,” the press release informed.

Alfonso Saibene Canepa, director, Canepa SpA from Italy; Roger Yeh, president, Everest Textile Co Ltd, Taiwan and Ajay Sardana, vice-president at Aditya Birla Group from India will give presentations on the subject.

They will each briefly describe their company’s experience and stance and will then join an open discussion on the investment case for ‘green’ technology.

Finally, delegates will be granted a preview of the findings of an important study by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), part of the University of Cambridge.

University of Cambridge’s 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.

In the second half of the day, in a discussion on capturing sustainable growth, delegates will hear first from Frank Henke, VP for Social & Environmental Affairs at Adidas.

More Textiles News - Italy...