UK – As the global apparel industry starts to get to grips with its contribution to pollution related to textile microfibre shedding, the first confirmed speakers for the debut Fibre Fragmentation Summit have been announced.
Senior research scientist Andy Booth from SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organisation will look at the UV degradation of synthetic textile fibres in aqueous environments, while Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director of the National Stewardship Action Council will talk about the current state of play with regard to US policy and legislation on this issue.
On behalf of the AATCC, Heather Elliot will examine testing methodology for fibre fragmentation and shedding, and Dr Jan Berenger from the Hohenstein Institute will outline the current understanding around the size and characterisation of fibre loss from textiles.
Held online over a 4-day period between March 23 – 26th, 2021 – the Microfibre Consortium in partnership with Planet Textiles will focus on three key areas:
Measurement: integrity and policy
Science: textile research and environmental impact
Product development: innovation, technology and manufacture
You can reserve your place HERE and purchasing a ticket will also grant access to three pre-event webinars during December, January and February, which will initiate conversations around these three topics.
Since the inaugural Microfibre Leadership Summit in 2017 (co-hosted by Ocean Conservancy and the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management), new studies, innovations, methodologies and policy discussions have elevated global awareness of microfibre pollution related to textiles.
However, there is still a huge knowledge gap about the exact scale, sources, fates and impacts of textile fibre fragmentation, with the best practices for mitigating shedding only just beginning to emerge.
“Since the last summit, we have seen so much great research understanding come through, yet the topic remains complex. The interconnection between different approaches and stakeholders engaged in fibre fragmentation is key to progress,” noted Sophie Mather, Managing Director at the Microfibre Consortium. “By bringing together the global topic community from researchers to policy makers, we are looking to drive and facilitate action, ultimately reducing impact environmentally.’
The inaugural Fibre Fragmentation Summit 2021 is intended to provide a unique online platform, spread out over a 4-day period, to convene global apparel and textiles brands, supply chain partners, legislators, NGOs, academics and other thought leaders for the next round of cross discipline presentations, discussions and planning ahead.
If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, get in touch at [email protected] for more information.
