The first Sustainability Congress for functional textiles will take place on 14 November in Munich. © Performance Days

The second day of the upcoming Performance Days will be devoted fully to the issue of sustainability. In cooperation with the trade magazine Sportsfashion by SAZ, the fair will present the first conference for sustainability in the functional textiles sector, entitled sustain&innovate.

In the world of sport, as well as in fashion, functional textiles, fabrics and fibres have become indispensable. And these areas are precisely where sustainability is such an important issue, while proving just as complex at the same time. Sustainability has yet to find a real home, although sustainability events in the textile branch do exist.

Performance Days, in cooperation with the trade journal Sportsfashion by SAZ, is now taking on the challenge to specifically inform the functional textiles sector, in particular about the most important and latest steps relating to sustainability. Consequently, the two key industry players are organising the first Sustainability Congress for functional textiles on 14 November in Munich, in the Expert Talks Area of Perfomance Days.

Key speakers

Under the title sustain&innovate, the event will see a full day of international speakers giving talks on important and cutting-edge topics concerning sustainability, exclusively tailored to the functional textile branch.

The event will see a full day of international speakers giving talks on important and cutting-edge topics. © Performance Days

The programme is supported by the sponsors PrimaLoft, Polartec and ISKO, who also exhibit at Performance Days. Visitors can expect an extensive and informative programme:

• Vaude Managing Director and sustainability specialist Antje von Dewitz will join as a keynote speaker.
• Karin Ekberg’s topic is of particular interest, where she will explain the importance of the HIGG Index for production.
• The Patagonia brand is considered a pioneer in terms of sustainability, making Patagonia’s Nicholas Allen’s presence at the conference of key importance, where specialist journalist, Charles Ross, will interview him.
• The audience can look forward to an exciting round of discussions when sustainability expert Anna Rodewald from the GreenroomVoice agency talks to international guests about the latest developments in sustainability.
• Specialist journalist Sophie Bramel will chair another interesting round of discussions entitled Designing for Recycling and the consideration of mono materials in the development of functional clothing.
• Martin Cieslik, Head of Sales of the renowned Hohenstein Institute, answers the important question Why Verification Matters in his talk.
• Sponsors of the event, such as PrimaLoft and Polartec, will also be presenting their sustainable concepts. Visitors can look forward to speakers from leading ingredient brands.
• Ulrike Arlt, editor-in-chief of Sportsfashion by SAZ, will moderate the program. She will also be giving a talk on the status quo of current success in relation to sustainability within the industry.

Unique new format

Trade fair general manager Marco Weichert is upbeat: “As a trade fair for functional fabrics and materials, we have always been a pioneer when it comes to innovation. The topic of sustainability is not only of immense importance, it will be the driving key issue for the branch in the coming years. That is why we are particularly proud that we’ve developed a unique and new format with the sustain&innovate conference, which did not exist in the branch in such a form.”

“This allows us to reach and inform all major decision-makers internationally in relation to the manufacturing and sale of functional textiles, from fibre manufacturers to clothing brands.”

www.sustainandinnovate.com

www.performancedays.com