Since Antje von Dewitz became CEO of VAUDE, she has consistently focused everything on sustainability. In her guest article for ISPO.com, she tells us what challenges she has to contend with, which measures are most effective, and why she is optimistic about the future.
My name is Antje von Dewitz and I took over from my father as CEO of VAUDE in 2009. Through his first, far-reaching ecological projects, he contributed to my conviction that sustainable business is possible and that companies can and should assume ecological responsibility! Since I became CEO, everything at our company has been consistently geared towards sustainability: at the site, in the supply chains, in the products.
In my guest article for ISPO.com I would like to give you an insight into our transformation and the associated challenges, and encourage you to take a sustainable path. After all, it is possible for a company to act in a fair and humane manner, to be sustainable, and thus to achieve economic success!
When we started the transformation 15 years ago, we were already aware that we are one of the most critical industries and thus have a large share in global problems such as climate change, resource consumption, etc. It is only logical that we also have to be part of the solution and want to face up to this challenge. So it is only logical that we also have to be part of the solution and want to take on this task.
At VAUDE, we consistently pursue a sustainable corporate strategy with high, ambitious goals. Among other things, we have committed to the Greenpeace Detox Commitment or the Science Based Targets in order to make our contribution to meeting the 1.5 degree target according to the Paris Climate Agreement. To this end, we repeatedly work together with NGOs that do not back down from criticism - for example Greenpeace or WWF. We want to get to know their demands and measure ourselves against them.
Our commitment is reflected in our Green Shape label, which almost 80 percent of VAUDE products already meet. Green Shape products are manufactured fairly in audited production facilities, have a high level of material efficiency and are designed to be as easy to repair and recycle as possible. Their materials are certified according to the highest sustainability standards and the majority of them are recycled or bio-based. As a result, they save around 50% in emissions compared to virgin materials.
Green Shape thus fully pays into our climate commitment and our efforts around circular economy. In Germany, we have been climate-neutral since 2012 through savings and offsetting, and this will also apply to our globally manufactured products from 2022.
We are working at full speed to to further reduce our emissions based on ambitious climate targets. This is still a major challenge, especially in global production and supply chains. To this end, we are also working with other brands in the European Outdoor Group (EOG) in the Supply Chain Decarbonization Project (SCDP) - the largest project for climate-neutral supply chains. Real sustainable transformation is only ever possible as a team sport, which is why we also work together with other companies across the value chain in many initiatives and projects, for example on the topic of textile recycling.
Currently, only 1% of all textiles worldwide are recycled. In order to build up a truly functioning infrastructure here, everyone has to come together at one table: from yarn manufacturers, material producers, brands and retailers to collectors, sorters and recyclers. Everyone in the value chain needs to know and learn from each other and work towards the same goal. This is incredibly complex, but I am convinced that the changed political framework conditions will make it possible in the coming years.
As a company, we have become more and more political over the last 15 years, because in view of the global challenges, it is nevertheless very strange that it is much more difficult to to assume corporate responsibility than to let it go. It is currently still cheaper to leave your own mess lying around than to clean it up again. No wonder that most people still believe that sustainability and profitability are mutually exclusive. and profitability are mutually exclusive.
Sustainable management is possible, and I am very happy that the legal framework is now being created step by step. With the European Green Deal clearly states that the textile industry must become recyclable and climate-neutral by 2050.
In 1994, we had actually already gone that far once. We had launched the first fully recyclable polyester collection in conjunction with the Ecolog recycling network. We unfortunately discontinued it fifteen years later because it was simply ahead of its time. With our new Rethink products based purely on PET, we can now once again guarantee that our textiles can be fully recycled. As a result we now meet all EU requirements in these products with regard to a closed textile loop: they are durable, recyclable, recycled and free of harmful substances.
I am proud that we at VAUDE have built up expertise in sustainable business. We are also happy to share this expertise - for example, in our VAUDE Academy for sustainable management. Because the sustainable transformation only works together. We are heading toward an overheating planet and need to take climate change much more seriously. Cooperation creates real change and is fun! As an entrepreneur As an entrepreneur, I want to provide impetus and encouragement - for example, through my LinkedIn profile. What drives me on the inside is that I can look my children and grandchildren in the eye later and say: We really, really tried.
It is one of the hopes in the fight against textile waste mountains - functional clothing that offers the best performance and is biodegradable at the end of its life cycle. At OutDoor by ISPO, a number of companies presented their sustainable materials, and here you can find out the most important facts about the trend.
A little biomass. A little water, plus carbon dioxide and, depending on the oxygen supply, methane. That's all that remains of the fibers that just served as insulation for an outdoor jacket. Irreparable damage put an abrupt end to the life of the textile. Now, microorganisms in a landfill site are eating away at the material and, unlike synthetic fibers, decomposing it within a few months without polluting the soil or groundwater. This is because the fibers are biodegradable. And thus one of the hottest trends in the outdoor industry.
Functional clothing in particular had a real image problem for a long time. It often consisted of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, each of which was extracted from petroleum and consumed vast amounts of energy during production. But the textile industry has long since started to rethink its approach.
Those responsible are constantly looking for new ways to make their products more sustainable and resistant and to follow the principles of the circular economy. They process old textiles and plastics into new materials or rely on natural and renewable raw materials. And they are focusing on biodegradable materials. A topic that is gaining momentum in the desire for a sustainable future.
Biodegradable materials are substances that can be broken down into their basic molecules CO2 and H2O through biological activity. The resulting decomposition products serve as the basis for new raw materials. In the case of non-biodegradable materials, on the other hand, organisms do not manage to break them down completely. Instead, gradually smaller and smaller particles are created - sometimes with serious consequences for nature.
Biodegradable materials should not be confused with bio-based materials. The latter are made entirely or partly from renewable raw materials such as plants. However, this does not necessarily make them biodegradable. And vice versa: not every biodegradable material is also bio-based. Some biodegradable plastics, for example, are of fossil origin.
But why have biodegradables recently become so popular in the outdoor industry? After all, the idea of using biodegradable alternatives to avoid sprawling mountains of waste is nothing new. The problem with many natural fibers: They usually don't perform well enough for the demands placed on functional clothing. Blended fabrics can improve performance significantly, but at the expense of biodegradability.
Baur Vliesstoffe has found a way out of this dilemma. For the wool insulation lavalan - derived from the Latin term for "washable wool" - the corn-based fiber polylactide (PLA) is added to European virgin wool. It bonds the individual wool fibers together at countless points to create a fiber filling that is both robust and comfortable.
"The functional advantages of wool come into their own perfectly in the insulation of outdoor products," says Peter Krommer, Director International Sales & Marketing. "Wool consists of 80 percent voids and can therefore store body heat very well." In addition, he adds, it can absorb up to 36 percent of its dry weight in moisture and permanently release it. "That makes wool unrivaled in breathability." And because it neutralizes bad odors, it doesn't need to be washed often, even after prolonged wear.
Krommer sees the challenges in the production of lavalan particularly in the procurement of the raw material. "Since we only use wool from European sheep, we first have to find sheep farms that supply us with wool that can be combined well." Because of the rather small-scale sheep farming in Europe, this means a lot of research and network building.
Today, lavalan wool padding can be found in home textiles and strollers, in sleeping bags and helmets, in ski and outdoor clothing, among other things. "The Swiss brand Mover, which was the first outdoor company to ask us for a lightweight wool padding for its functional jacket, was followed by Ortovox, Bergans and Napapijri," Krommer recalls. In the meantime, Grüezi Bag, Maier Sports, Röckl, Sasta, Snowlife, Vaude and Ziener have also become customers.
In addition to its high functionality, lavalan scores with its sustainable properties. After all, the wool insulation is made from a renewable raw material and can be recycled. And: it is biodegradable. The molecular structure of PLA produced in the laboratory can also be broken down by microorganisms.
At this year's OutDoor by ISPO, Baur Vliesstoffe will be represented in the Sustainability Hub. "We'll have our lavalan with us to look at and, above all, to feel," says Krommer, "and a few products in which it is processed. Our team and I are looking forward to visitors*, lots of questions and lively networking."
Also in the Sustainability Hub, the Re:Down team is presenting another material that is in demand in the outdoor industry because of its excellent insulating properties: down. "They are also very light and practical when it comes to hiking or traveling," describes Eric Firmann, co-founder of the company. And, in the case of Re:Down, exceedingly sustainable. "We don't need new down from ducks or geese. We take our filling material from used items."
The raw material comes from used textile containers from all over Europe. "We buy the used items from textile collectors," Firmann explains. The old down and feathers are washed in warm thermal water and dried at 135 degrees Celsius. Then they are perfectly sterilized. If feather waste accumulates, it is processed into biofertilizer. After passing quality control, the remaining down can be found in quilts, sleeping bags, pillows or jackets, for example from Patagonia, bergans of Norway or Mountain Equipment.
How often down can ultimately be reused depends on various factors. "It depends a lot on how the product was used and cared for," Firmann says. "Only one thing is for sure: They can't be recycled forever, because we lose quantity and quality every time we recycle." Still, insulation doesn't end up as environmentally harmful textile waste - down is also one of the biodegradable materials.
They are competitors in a highly competitive market, but the big goal unites them as allies: September 2021 marked the start of the success story of the Outdoor Retailer Climate Commitment, or ORCC for short, a voluntary agreement between outdoor retailers.
"How about we join together as retailers to take targeted action to meet the Paris climate change targets? We're all going down the same path, we can learn from each other and check each other out," says Melanie Grünwald, Head of Sustainability at Yonderland, explaining the idea behind ORCC. She was involved from the beginning and immediately recognized the potential of ORCC. "Matthias Gebhard, the Managing Director of Bergfreunde, launched ORCC and brought Martin Stolzenberger, the Managing Director of Bergwelt, and me on board," Grünwald recalls in an interview with ISPO.com.
The open network is accessible to all outdoor retailers who agree to measure their carbon footprint, reduce their own carbon footprint in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and provide regular transparency on the measures taken. In 2021, Bergfreunde GmbH, Bergzeit GmbH, Sportler AG, Internetstores Holding GmbH and Yonderland (formerly A.S. Adventure Group) founded the ORCC. Six months later, retail giants such as Sport Schuster and Sport Conrad, among others, joined the network. Most recently, Bründl Sports joined as number eleven.
It is clear that additional members are welcome. Grünwald: "We are willing to share our own learnings, often saving new members time and resources and taking away their fear of tackling this issue. It impresses me that competitors here put profit, sales or growth aside and really put the environment first. I'm encouraged by that!"
Today, ORCC comprises around ten percent of the European outdoor trade. Even at the first annual review in November last year, it emerged that 90 percent of members measured their carbon footprint for Scope 1 and Scope 2, i.e. for their direct greenhouse gas emissions. 70 percent follow the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI) methodology. Likewise, 70 percent measure their emissions in Scope 3, which captures greenhouse gas emissions that occur outside direct control - i.e., in the supply chain or at the consumer.
"Although all members of the ORCC are in close competition with each other, we are united by a deep desire to save our planet from climate catastrophe. Since this goal can only be achieved together, we have set up a structured roadmap to help us tackle this task together," says Matthias Gebhard.
Only one year after its founding, it has become clear that almost all ORCC members have done their homework and taken at least the first step towards more climate protection. Since the beginning of this year, the ORCC has been integrated into the European Outdoor Group "This is our platform, it takes over the administrative activities and, as a neutral organization, guarantees that we do not violate European antitrust law," Grünwald explains.
In addition to reducing self-generated emissions, the ORCC wants to exert more influence on the entire value chain. Currently, ORCC members are prioritizing the creation of a unified supplier database. This database is the most important next step for the ORCC.
In addition, electricity is to be generated in-house wherever possible and processes in the companies are to be made more environmentally friendly overall. However, this only reduces the retailers' direct emissions. "The lion's share of emissions is in the production of raw materials and in the manufacture of the outdoor articles themselves. We need a vertically integrated solution to share data on the emission's footprint of our products with all members. To do this, we need the cooperation of our suppliers," says Melanie Grünwald. "We need to start demanding this data directly from our suppliers. That's the only way we can accelerate decarbonization."
One of the most important projects for 2023: to demand climate targets and emissions footprints from the biggest brands in the outdoor market. Grünwald: "For those who have not yet set any climate targets, we are telling them that it is high time they did so. Because without our brands, which account for the main share of emissions, we don't achieve enough as a retailer - even with the best reduction measures."
How can we, as consumers, have a positive impact on the textile cycle by simple means - and do good for ourselves and the environment in the process? Ulrika Björk, CEO of Polygiene, knows. In our series "Challenges of a CEO," she inspires us with sustainable textile practices, presents clean second-hand projects, and knows what the solution to a better environmental footprint in the sports industry can look like.
My name is Ulrika Björk. I am CEO of the Polygiene Group, which includes the Scandinavian ingredient brand Polygiene, founded in 2006. Polygiene is not only the market leader in FRESHNESS and PROTECTION technologies with odor control, antibacterial and protective functions – since our foundation we see ourselves as an important cornerstone on the way to a more sustainable approach to nature: with concrete solutions to extend the lifespan of garments and products and minimise their footprint during their “lifetime”.
We all need to change our perception of products: away from fast consumables – and towards sustainable, durable consumer goods. That is our mission and also the reason why we are constantly researching for further technological innovations to enable a more mindful life in interaction with nature. In order to be able to implement this fully, we need the awareness and active participation of the consumer – and as a conclusion: from each and every one of us.
With its CO2 emissions alone, the textile industry has a higher impact than global air and sea traffic together. It is clear: this has to change quickly. And it is also clear that, according to the GHG-protocol, brands are responsible for the entire cycle of clothing, including the use of sold products. And there is a lot of potential for consumers to act in a more environmentally friendly way. According to the McKinsey study “Fashion on Climate”, 18 % of the potential to save CO2-emission in the textile industry is with the consumer. It is important to be aware of that potential and be conscious of how you consume, how much you buy and how you take care of the clothes, while you have them.
In this sense, my major challenge as a CEO is to educate the end consumers on their way to a more mindful living. Our technologies are invisible for the eye and therefore the communication around their function and benefits are key. If we can bring the message through – in cooperation with all our partners - and raise awareness to create more conscious consumers, we could significantly reduce the ecological footprint of clothing and products.
Before we get the chance to show “why” and “how” to save environmental resources, people need to see a personal need and interest, to listen. Luckily it is obvious that consumers are starting to change their consumption behaviour and today have higher ambitions to live a more sustainable, healthier life for their own good - and also for the sake of our children and following generations. We only have one planet.
And there could be a further enforcement of that, since we are facing apparent water shortages and also enhanced prices for electricity and gas. In Sweden, electricity prices have nearly doubled during some periods, and in other countries we are facing similar situations. This could cause an extra push that leads people to change their behaviour.
In my view, these are positive signs that consumers are ready to change their habits. However, I still sometimes hear from the industry that our technologies sound exciting - but there are still doubts if they really can influence the consumer’s behaviour in a positive way.
Of course, it is a big challenge for us as an ingredient brand to make the added sustainability value of our technology “visible” and bring the functional and sustainable messages directly to the consumer – but it is so important! That is why I never tire of talking about it – and the challenges we all are facing as consumers: To change our attitude to clothing, in order to make us all contribute to a more sustainable approach to clothes.
For this reason, we also have strengthened our marketing and communication team to twelve people, we continue to build strong alliances with our international partner-brands like Montane, Gregory, MP Activewear, Trangoworld or Maloja as well as newcomer brands like UP.Clothing and invest in direct consumer communication and consumer testing, as well.
When you look at how often you wash…it is difficult to really measure that, especially as there is no personal means of comparison. But you can easily measure if you wear something twice instead of once, before you launder it. In that sense it is a change of behaviour if you “train” to wear your T-shirt 2-3 times before you wash it. That leads us to a change of behaviour and will save washes – and most importantly, prolong the lifetime of a garment.
In fact, we wash too often. And according to numerous studies, the amount of wash cycle has unfortunately increased over the years. Cleanliness is a learned behaviour, but we must try to find a good balance between hygiene and sustainability. One reason for the unnecessary wash cycles: clean clothes are supposed to support a confident appearance. In one of our studies, 90% of the respondents said that the smell of their clothes can ruin their self-confidence. So, it’s not surprising, that 30% discard their clothes too early because of unpleasant smell. With our technologies, consumers can avoid this in most cases.
Basically, we should always ask ourselves whether we really need to wash a textile: if the piece of clothing is not visibly soiled, it is often enough to air it, rather than washing it. When we wash, the machine should be fully loaded. On the same note, we will also save energy if we wash at the lowest possible water temperature. We recently published an LCA – a Life Cycle Assessment made by SWECO, a Swedish company & one of the leading European engineering consultancies, to discover the environmental impact of washing less to save more.
The LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of Polygiene StayFresh-treated T-shirts (120grams, 90 Polyester, 10% Elastane) revealed skipping every second wash (156 training sessions in total over a year), resulted in annual savings of:
And the overall result: By empowering customers to skip one was, Polygiene technology reduced the T-shirt’s total environmental impact by a third. Which means we have an impressive influence on the ecological footprint of garments. Take that chance and make a change!
If we manage to save just one wash load per week, we will save 45-120 liters of water - depending on the age of the washing machine and the wash cycle. This makes an average of around 3800litres of water/household, i.e. 26 bathtubs full of water, per year. With 5.97 million private households in Sweden we have the potential of saving 22.68 billion litres of water per year only by skipping one wash load per week. What a number, and what a power we have!
Every time synthetic clothing is washed, harmful microfibers are washed out of the clothing. According to an extrapolation of a study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, 35% of the microplastics in the ocean come from the fibre abrasion of synthetic textiles during washing. Every wash cycle saved helps here, too. And what's more, less washing also means less detergent going into the water. And of course, washing less also means we use less energy. So, washing less not only saves us valuable time, but also benefits our wallets.
The best thing we can do for the environment: Keep products in use longer - therefore the first step is to buy fewer products but of better quality. Buy love-pieces instead of fast fashion.
And then, the main part that has an impact on the durability of a garment, is the washing and drying. With every wash, parts of the fibres can break off, textiles get thinner, fibres lose strength. The same applies to colours: they become paler because the dye is gradually washed out. It is not for nothing that the durability or wear of clothing is tested in the industry by repeated washing cycles.
So again, a main factor is the washing. An example: If a person that exercises 2 times/week and washes after each time (which 70% still do), would instead wash once a week (or after every second use), and wouldn’t tumble try, it would enhance the lifetime of the athletic apparel up to 20-40%. And when doubling the lifetime of a garment, its carbon footprint is in principle halved (49%). And extending the life of a piece of clothing by a further 9 months, carbon, waste and water footprints would be reduced by around 20-30% each. Impressive numbers, isn’t it?
And then, when you are ready with your clothes– for whatever reason…do you let it sit in your closet unused, just throw it away or do you prolong the life-time of the garment, give it a second life and circle it back on the second-hand-market?
In that case it is important that the clothes will be refreshed – as that is the biggest hurdle if you want to buy second hand today. We want and can contribute to this with our technologies, also as our technologies additionally enhance the durability of second hand products Currently we are in discussions and am working on a big collaboration-project with partners to make second hand even more desirable nowadays. Together we can change a lot - stay tuned!
Thanks to collaborations and initiatives which put great products on the second-hand market, the circular fashion market is growing – and the association with dusty, musty second-hand goods a part of the past. In addition, today second-hand goods are more easily, systematically, and quickly accessible via online services and portals, also thanks to the megatrend digitalization. So here shoppers will find a real alternative to fast fashion that is good for the planet, and the wallet. No wonder, then, that the market for second-hand clothing is expected to grow to almost twice the size of the fast fashion segment by 2029, according to the ThredUp Resale Report 2021.
In this case, I want to encourage all brands to dive deeper into giving products a second life. As an ingredient brand we do have experiences in different industries that we can contribute with, and we are more than open to share our technical know-how and background. Let’s put our heads together as an industry and take on the challenge to grow further second-hand initiatives in an efficient, eco-friendly manner - because sharing experiences can only enrich our common goal.
I think whenever you tackle something major, it's important to find like-minded people - and to inspire, encourage and push each other on your way forward. We also do this as colleagues among ourselves in the company: each of us is encouraged to use resources such as electricity and energy sparingly in our office - creativity also plays a major role here. Just as we all consider whether travel is necessary and, if so, whether we can use alternative, more environmentally friendly means of transport instead of air travels. We also use joint activities to make a contribution. For example, we regularly go plogging, which is a combination of jogging and collecting trash. Because even small things and details contribute to the big goal of a more mindful living. We should never forget that.
An intact nature is the basis of our continued existence on our planet and the core of the outdoor business. But will the next generations of outdoor enthusiasts still be able to enjoy nature? The Sustainability Hub is the meeting place for projects, innovations and new business models to advance the topic of circularity and climate protection. Alexandra Denker from Messe München and Cira Riedel from GreenroomVoice explain in an interview how the industry will find answers to this question in the Sustainability Hub at OutDoor by ISPO 2023.
When and why was the Sustainability Hub launched?
Cira Riedel: The Sustainability Hub was launched back in 2010 at ISPO Munich. It was intended to serve as a central forum for sustainability topics in the outdoor industry. Then it quickly evolved into the central meeting place where all experts and interested parties exchange ideas on the topic of sustainability in all aspects.
Last year's OutDoor by ISPO and ISPO Munich also featured the Sustainability Hub. How did the industry accept this area and what does that mean for 2023?
Alexandra Denker: The area was very well received, we have exhibitors from the most diverse parts of the value chain. That means material suppliers, brands and organizations that are focused on enabling more sustainability.
This includes circular materials and business models, climate protection, commitment to fair and safe working conditions, and transparency into the deeper supply chain. This also means beyond the supplying factories to the raw materials, to name just a few examples. Brands as well as media and NGOs are exhibiting. The visitors get a very good overview of the current developments in the industry.
The topic of transparency and traceability is of great importance, because you can only improve what you know and/or measure. The Sustainability Hub is once again a good meeting place to exchange ideas, learn, network and find new partners.
What is the vision of the Sustainability Hub at OutDoor by ISPO 2023 and what are the main topics and why?
Cira Riedel: The Sustainability Hub should once again become the place-to-be for a sustainable future. This year, the focus for us is particularly on the topic of circularity. This includes the approaches to a longer shelf life, good reparability and basically the prevention of waste in order to turn our old linear business model into a cycle. It goes without saying that climate protection is also a top priority. Without circularity, the ambitious goals of the EU will not be achieved.
The issue affects the entire industry, from raw materials to design, retailers, users and ultimately recyclers, i.e. all stakeholders in the cycle. We want to raise awareness and present projects that deal with these issues.
How is the Sustainability Hub structured?
Alexandra Denker: The Sustainability Hub is located in Atrium 3 and is therefore even more centrally located than in 2022. There are guided tours every morning at 11 a.m., many opportunities to get information and exchange ideas with other industry experts. Around the atrium there are some showrooms where important players like EOG present their programs and act as info points. In the catering area, there are workstations, food options, Wi-Fi, power outlets and networking opportunities on a collaborative workspace. The Speakers Corner is also set up in the atrium, a curated stage where speakers present sustainability topics.
We are even working on sustainable solutions in our stand construction. Together with our stand construction partner Meplan, we have found an almost completely circular system. This means that most of the material for the hub has already been used several times and will continue to be used. It is produced and stored locally, so transport distances are also short.
More info: https://www.meplan.com/nachhaltigkeit/woodi/
Which exhibitors who are already living sustainability and leading the way as pioneers are exhibiting in the Sustainability Hub?
Cira Riedel: There are a few that will be participating at OutDoor by ISPO 2023. Among the supplying companies, Re:Down, which offers down recycling for outdoor clothing, is particularly worth mentioning. Also present is Teijin, a supplier specializing in chemical recycling of textiles. Also present is Blueloop, a company focused on recycling post-consumer textiles. If you are interested in innovative and sustainable companies, you should definitely visit these exhibitors!
You'll also find these brands in the Sustainability Hub:
Lavalan I Billerud I ClimatePartner I Outdoor Industry Compass I European Outdoor Group I Rab & Lowe Alpine (Equip) I Exped I Globetrotter Ausrüstung I GreenroomVoice I Heimplanet I Hohenstein I Icebug I INSITE Insoles I Iteratif I Jonsac I IFAT I It's great out there I Suston I Mountain Equipment I Picture Organic Clothing I Social & Labor Convergence Program I myclimate I Südwolle Group I Sympatex I Grüner Knopf I VAUDE
What should visitors to the Sustainability Hub definitely not miss?
Alexandra Denker: In any case, the daily tour of the Sustainability Hub from 11:00 - 12:00 is very interesting, where you get a compact overview of the Sustainability Hub in one hour and also have the opportunity to meet the exhibitors in person. The stage program of course, from morning to evening, is a single highlight. But especially the program of the EOG on Monday morning, where you have the opportunity to listen to selected contents of the well-known European Outdoor Summit.
This year, the Speaker Corner is located in the Sustainability Hub. What does the program have in store for OutDoor by ISPO participants this year?
Alexandra Denker: Every day at OutDoor by ISPO has its own highlights. Sunday directly offers a promising program with the Trend Report on Sustainability and Circularity, presented by Louisa Smith. IFAT will also hold a Cross Industry Panel on "Chemical Recycling." GreenroomVoice will give an overview of relevant EU initiatives, followed by an introduction to the "Ecodesign Regulation from the EU" presented by Outdoor Industry Compass. The Textrends Awards ceremony will also take place.
On Monday we start with the Industry Breakfast and an extensive program of the EOG. In addition, the Outdoor Retailer Climate Commitment will take the stage, presented by Bergzeit and Yonderland. They have made a joint commitment to actively work towards achieving the Paris climate goals. And the contributions from Sympatex and Equip on the subject of sustainability reporting and Material Facts are also not to be missed.
Then on Tuesday, the ISPO Award will be presented in the outdoor area. In addition to further education in the field of sustainability or the daily guided tour through the Sustainability Hub, the Climate Pitch by "CHANGESthatMATTER" will also take place. This is an interactive and playful conference that provides insights into the complex interplay of the most important aspects in climate change.
At the Cross Industry Panel, you bring IFAT onto the stage as a sister trade show. What significance does this have for OutDoor by ISPO and the outdoor industry?
Alexandra Denker: IFAT, as a trade show for environmental technologies, will organize a panel that deals with chemical recycling. This fits in well with OutDoor by ISPO, because our exhibitors are confronted with precisely these questions when they strive for circularity. The answers are provided by the exhibitors at IFAT, because they have the technologies that make chemical recycling and other recycling processes possible in the first place.
And of course we would like to see the industries cooperate more and find solutions together. And this is just the start of the cooperation between the two trade shows!