Brussels, November 7, 2024 Yesterday, in the esteemed KBR Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels, EDANA, the premier worldwide organisation for the nonwovens and associated sectors, wrapped off its annual Sustainability Forum. The subject of this year’s forum “Building a Sustainable Future Together” included a number of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and cooperative sessions centred on advances in the nonwovens industry related to the circular economy, corporate social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. The Forum showcased the most recent developments and tactics meant to address climate change, cut waste, and improve sustainability practices, with an agenda that connected policy and practice.
Highlights of the Keynote
There were two sustainability-related keynote speakers at the forum. First, Polygon AR founder Ana Rovzar gave a keynote address to kick off the Forum on the rapidly switch to sustainable energy. She highlighted a 50% increase in renewable energy in 2023 alone as she talked about the move away from traditional energy investments and towards renewables. “Real progress requires a united front from governments, businesses, and communities to remove regulatory and technological barriers,” she said, adding that “it is accelerating much faster than people think.”
Sustainability specialist Mike Barry, a former employee of Marks & Spencer, emphasised the significance of coordinating business strategy with sustainability in another powerful keynote. Climate change is a major concern for citizens, and businesses need to take decisive action to lessen emissions, particularly those in Scope 3,” he stated. “Consumers now demand greater transparency and commitment than ever before, and sustainability is a crucial component of brand identity.”
Innovative Industry Views and the Effects of EU Policy
The Forum’s presentations provided a distinctive fusion of innovative concepts and realistic sustainability strategies. The Sustainability and Technical Affairs Manager at EDANA, Reflecting on the organization’s accomplishments in the previous year, Marta Roche Díez stated future objectives to promote sustainable innovation in the nonwovens sector. “Our roadmap for sustainability is constantly changing, but we’re proud of the strides we’ve made.” and are dedicated to advocating for significant reforms,” highlighting EDANA’s dedication to environmental accountability in line with EU regulations.
Brieuc Lits, EDANA’s director of public affairs, looked at how the EU Green Deal would affect the nonwovens sector. “The EU’s attempt to strike a balance between sustainability and competitiveness will influence not just policy but also the fundamental framework that we operate,” he said, stressing that the industry needs to change to remain competitive and in line with legal requirements.
Last but not least, Paolo Haeusermann, Senior Brand Director and Europe Sustainability Leader at Procter & Gamble, highlighted the significance of absorbent hygiene products and offered ideas on promoting sustainability in these goods. “We are discussing important items in people’s life,” he said.
A Comprehensive Look at Corporate and Product Sustainability
A number of company executives offered their perspectives on incorporating sustainability into all facets of operations. Nitto Advanced Film Solutions’ Carsten Ruff talked about the difficulties and methods for integrating sustainability into business culture, especially in a global context. He noted that sustainability is a strong force for creativity and does not conflict with industrial uses.
Sphera Solutions’ Martijn Gipmans emphasised the need of life-cycle assessments (LCA) and openness for business. He clarified, emphasising the significance of “LCA and transparent ESG reporting can catalyse both business growth and environmental progress.” included sustainability evaluations to lower product portfolios’ overall carbon impact.
The Archimedes tool was presented by Christophe Morel-Fourrier, Sustainability Leader for Hygiene, Packaging, and Converting Adhesives at Bostik, as a tactical tool for Portfolio Sustainability Assessment. “Archimedes enables us to provide clear, knowledgeable choices that support our long-term sustainability objectives,” he clarified. He emphasised that by assisting businesses in assessing the sustainability of their product lines, this tool enables them to make significant decisions that advance environmental objectives.
The Way Ahead: Promoting Green Innovation and Circularity
The industry’s shift to a circular economy was one of the most talked-about subjects. Freudenberg Performance Materials’ Albert Hammerschmied emphasised the role that post-industrial waste plays in attaining circularity, especially in the automobile industry. “Nonwovens have enormous potential in the automotive circular economy, but industry-wide cooperation is needed,” he said.
Alexander Butté of ANDRITZ Laroche underlined the significance of sustainable materials and stakeholder participation in a session discussing the future of sustainable practices in building insulation. “The construction sector confronts particular sustainability issues, but we can close the gap between objectives and workable solutions using creativity and environmentally friendly materials,” he stated.