We are delighted and proud to announce that Gaia Sourcing has exhibited it’s services and goals to the visitors of The Future Fabrics Expo (24.01.2019-25.01.2019) which has been a major success!
We want to share some of the highlights of this fair with you:
- The concentration on recycling
There was a great focus on recycling, both for obtaining the 20% recycled material level for a garment to acquire the Global Recycle Standard certificate, and also even more innovative methods – for example using other industries’ waste such as food to create new materials or use it as dyestuff.
- The interest for new and “out of the box” materials
Innovation tables were gaining the most attention, banana stem fibres, vegeatextile (a leatherlike material that is derived from grape marc), agraloop (a bio-fiber transformed from agricultural waste), recycled leather (70% recyled leather pieces and 30% natural rubber) and Mylo (a leather alternative made of mushroom roots).
Fish skin leather alternatives were eye catching and an amazing indicator that our industry is looking for better alternatives everywhere.
- Massive attention of brands, press and universities
The attention to the panels and the fair itself was magnificent, but we were especially happy to receive the attention of university students and professors who are the ones shaping our future.
- A potential collaboration of Gaia and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
We had the chance to contact the Ellen Macarthur foundation, the most prominent organization operating to lower the environmental impact of the textile business, and will generate a project to further enhance the improvements taking place at our manufacturers.
- Sourcing agencies’ important place in this cycle concerning improving sustainability in business
Sourcing agencies, being strategic partners to both suppliers and brands, are in a critical place to accelerate the penetration of sustainable production to industry, especially to their manufacturers.
Overall we are very fond of our fair experience and the amount of attention to both our booth and the subject. People from every domain, including brands, press, not for profit organizations and many more were present and enthusiastic to learn more and adapt it to their corporations/organizations. We have come to understand that the sector overall is at the level of “gathering sufficient info and laying the ground on how the penetration of the subject will take place”.
We believe that the second phase where organizations will start acting with sustainability as a core value is approaching. On the other hand, we are confident that we may be of use to brands and any other interested parties for the further enhancement of the subject in their organizations, and are taking active steps to get ready for the second phase.
