“The issue of environmental sustainability in the Chinese textile industry now extends way beyond the boundaries of the supply chain,” said John Mowbray, MCL Global director. “Thanks to the work of the IPE and the government, Chinese consumers can now become stakeholders and take a unique role in the governance of textile pollution in China.”

“The Planet Textiles Summit will outline just how this will take place and the event is a crucial learning platform for all industry stakeholders who want their products to be compliant with new, tighter, Chinese and global environmental legislation.”

All about sustainability

In addition to Planet Textiles, the fair features an increasingly popular All About Sustainability zone, which was created in response to market demand both in China and from the global textiles industry. This year’s zone increases in size by nearly 30%, and features three sections: an educational zone, ecoBoutique display and seminar area.

“Sustainability has become a key issue in China in the last few years, not just at a government and textile industry level, but also among consumers as they become more conscious of environmental protection,” explained Ms Wendy Wen, Senior General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK).

“Both the Planet Textiles Summit and All About Sustainability are a response to this increasing interest in China, and they provide the perfect platform for overseas organisations in the field of sustainability to share their experience and expertise and promote their brand, not only to a domestic audience, but to the global industry as a whole.”

Key speakers

Key speakers at the event include Phillip Courtenay, senior VP, apparel sourcing with the adidas Group, Sean Cady, VP Product Stewardship and Sustainability, VF Corp, Hu Kehua, Deputy Director, China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), Veronique Rochet, Head of Sustainability Asia for H&M, along with representatives from The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Group (ZDHC), bluesign technologies, Nimkartek and the influential Chinese NGO the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE).

Also speaking is Zhao Lin, of Solidaridad, who will highlight the work of the Better Mill Initiative in China. Solidaridad launched the three-year Better Mill Initiative (BMI) in partnership with H&M and other major international retailers. The programme supports 43 textile dyeing and printing mills in China to improve their environmental and social performance through tailor made support, group learning and experience exchange.

Attendance

Both the summit and the fair will take place at the newly built National Convention and Exhibition Center, Shanghai, China, where Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics saw a 56% increase in buyers compared to 2014 for its Spring Edition in March this year.

Last year’s Autumn Edition featured 3,844 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions while over 71,000 visitors from 93 countries and regions attended. Organisers expect this edition of the fair to exceed these numbers.

www.planet-textiles.com  

www.intertextileapparel.com