ITMA 2019 will be held from 20-26 June at Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via venue. © ITMA 2015

An exciting and diverse panel of industry experts has been invited to share future trends, rare insights and strategic solutions at the ITMA Speakers Platform. This is the first time that experts from non-exhibiting commercial organisations have been invited to participate.

The Speakers Platform is part of the ITMA Innovation Lab, a special feature launched to promote innovation excellence in the textiles and garment industry. At a time when the industry is facing massive disruption, intense competition and global challenges, the owner of ITMA, CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, strives to add greater value to participants’ experience at ITMA 2019.

“It is critical for the global textiles, garment and fashion industry to collaborate and to share perspectives and best practices. In the past, the Speakers Platform featured only presentations by Research and Innovation Pavilion exhibitors,” said Fritz Mayer, President of CEMATEX. “As the world trends towards Industry 4.0 and grapples with sustainability challenges, we would like to offer ITMA as an inclusive platform for all stakeholders to converge and work together to address the challenges we face in today's rapidly evolving world. Hence, we have invited non exhibitors, as well as all ITMA exhibitors to add greater vibrancy to the Platform.”

Cross-pollination of ideas

By having industry experts who are not ITMA exhibitors to give their presentations, CEMATEX hopes to encourage cross-pollination of ideas and spotlight best in class solutions. The invited industry speakers will join ITMA 2019 exhibitors selected to make their presentations based on these themes:

• Innovative Raw Materials & Manufacturing Technology
• Strategic Business Innovation through Automation & Digitalisation
• Technical Textiles Innovations and Manufacturing Technology
• Sustainable Textile & Garment Manufacturing in the Circular Economy

Response from industry professionals has been positive. Well-known experts, who have confirmed their acceptance to speak, include Yoel Fink, CEO of Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA). He will address the topic of Textile Sensors – Applications and Market Growth.

Finance forum to add practical insights into textiles sector financing and funding. © ITMA 2015

Other renowned speakers are Lutz Walter, Director Innovation & Skills, Euratex, Rakhil Hirdaramani, Manufacturers Committee Chair, World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), Navaid Baqai, Director, Global Textile of Cotton Council International (Cotton USA), and Peter Sestic, Lead Development Engineer, Sigmatex UK.

On sustainability front

On the sustainability front, leading industry practitioners will share their viewpoints and solutions:

• Sophie Mather, Strategic Director, The Microfibre Consortium will share advice on Prevention of Microplastic Release into the Aquatic Environment during the Washing of Synthetic Clothes: Results of the Cross Industry Agreement CIA)
• René Bethmann, Innovation Manager (Materials & Manufacturing), Vaude, will share Vaude Expectations from Raw Materials Suppliers in the Sense of Sustainability
• Natalia Papu Carrone, Research Analyst, Textiles Programme, Circle Economy, will update on Towards a Zero Waste Textiles industry: The End-of-use Value Chain
• Roian Atwood, Director of Sustainability for Wrangler and Lee Jeans, will provide details on Engaging the Global Supply Chain to Drive Greater Social & Environmental Performance, and
• Lisa Rosengren, Head of R&D Raw Material, Fristads AB, will speak on Measuring the Total Impact of a Garment – Environmental Product Declaration

Finance forum

As a value-add to ITMA participants, professionals from the finance industry have been invited to share their expertise at the Speakers’ Platform. They include: Andrea Rossi, Head of International Business Support, Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero (SACE), Andreas Oel, Client Advisory, Large Enterprises & Reinsurance, Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV), Julian Paisey, Senior Policy Analyst Export Credits Division, Credits Division, OECD Export, Christina Lutz, Export Finance Specialist, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, Cengiz Bekret, Senior Manager – Sales and Business Development BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, and Patricia Polo, Institutional Relations Unit, Compañía Española de Seguros de Crédito a la Exportación (CESCE).

The exhibition next month will feature 1,700 exhibitors who will be showcasing their latest technologies and sustainable solutions. © ITMA 2015

“Finance and managing risk are critical to the success of any business,” said Charles Beauduin, Chairman, ITMA Services. “At a time when the textile and garment sector is undergoing major technological transformation, businesses are faced with the challenge of finding sources to fund investments in new technologies, including green solutions. At the forum, participants will be able to get practical advice which will help them make better financing decisions.”

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