This first hour gave regional delegations the place and space to discuss matters they see as most pressing, and also to prepare for the General Assembly later in the day. It was an “open space” set up so meetings were open (unless otherwise requested) and all OCRT participants were invited to take a seat at their chosen region’s table (or move between a few) and listen in or contribute as they wished.
Participants were invited to take a walk around the room and meet key players from each of the main organic cotton producing region of the world – without leaving the room! The bell rang every 10 minutes, at which point they could choose to move to another region, or stay where they were to learn more. This was a fantastic opportunity for brands and other interested participants to ask their burning questions to those who know the regions best.
The OCRT General Assembly is a new approach that we were excited to be introducing in 2018. To kick things off, we had a number of exciting updates to share, as well as some inspiring speakers to get us all thinking.
Heinrich Schultz, Managing Director, OrganiMark | Chair of TE Catalyst
Christine Goulay, Sustainable Sourcing Specialist, Kering
La Rhea Pepper, Managing Director, Textile Exchange
Kathleen Wood, Associate, The Partnering Initiative
Liesl Truscott, European & Materials Strategy Director, Textile Exchange
Crispin Argento, Executive Director, Organic Cotton Accelerator
François Morillion, Co-founder, Veja
Linda Cabot, Founder, Linda Cabot Designs
Chessa Nilsen, Senior Buyer and Sustainability Manager, Dressmann
Subindu Garkhel, Cotton Manager, Fairtrade Foundation
Simon Cooper, Partner, Change Agency | OCRT Master of Ceremonies
Opportunity to join lunch session on LCA and circularity hosted by thinkstep. Find out more here.
Ipshita Sinha, Programme Manager, C&A Foundation
After lunch, the General Assembly format came into its own, with regional delegations coming together in one room alongside brands, retailers and other industry stakeholders, to report out on success stories, innovations and initiatives. This inclusive format, which mirrors that used by the UN, enabled cross learning and experience sharing between regions and allowed attendees the chance to hear updates from each organic cotton producing region, rather than having to choose only one (as is the case with the traditional breakout format) – a particular benefit for brands and retailers sourcing from multiple regions. Time was reserved for Q&A throughout the day, so everyone had a chance to pitch in and ask questions.
Host: Evonne Tan, Textile Exchange
Regional Delegation:
Veronica Yow, Rare
Debra Guo, Stella McCartney
Mr. Man, Esquel
Alison Ward, CottonConnect
Host: Atila Ertem, Textile Exchange<
Regional Delegation:
Maximilian Abouleish SEKEM
Pierfrancesca Solinas Filmar
Jens Soth Helvetas
Elif Yaraşık GOTS
Aydin Unsal Egedeniz
Host: Silvio Moraes, Textile Exchange
Regional Delegation:
Orlando Rivera Bergman Rivera
Giuliana Ortega Instituto C&A
Zack Angelini Timberland
Vinicius Malfatti Instituto Lojas Renner
Alexander Grisar SOCiLA
Host: Silvère Tovignan, Textile Exchange
Regional Delegation:
Tobias Meier, ecos
Simplice Davo Vodouhe, OBEPAB
Boubacar Kamissokho, Catholic Relief Services
Host: Sandra Marquardt, Textile Exchange
Regional Delegation:
Sally Fox, Foxfiber / Vreseis
Jimmy Wedel, TOCMC
Marci Zaroff, Metawear
Host: Amish Gosai, Textile Exchange
Regional Delegation:
Arun Ambatipudi & Rhett Godfrey, Chetna Coaltion
Manavi Bhardwaj, OFCS & C&A Foundation
Monika Messmer, FiBL
Vivek Rawal, bioRe India
Imran Asgher, SIA Foundation Pakistan
Bart Vollaard & Jaskiran Warrik, OCA
Arvind Rewal, CottonConnect
Sreeranga Rajan, Good Textiles Foundation
Ashish Mondal, ASA
This took place in Hall B at the MiCo.
Launch of the Round Table with a look back on the journey of industry collaboration and forward to what’s coming next.
Pamela Ravasio, Head of CSR & Sustainability, European Outdoor Group
Jon Uretsky, VP Operations & Production, Allied Feather & Down
Stakeholder survey findings
Textile Exchange’s Preferred Fiber & Materials Market Report Preview
Textile Exchange’s Preferred Fiber Market Benchmark Key Findings
Bryan Mortenson, Global Audit Manager, IDFL
Stacey Mack, Sustainability Business Unit Manager, NSF
Amber Dzikowicz, Business Unit Manager, NSF
Ashley Gill, Senior Manager of Industry Integrity, Textile Exchange
Mark Prose, Team Manager Textile & Social Compliance, Control Union
Daniel Uretsky, President, Allied Feather & Down
Caroline Zapf, CSO, Sustainable Down Source
Nicholas Allen, Traceability Manager, Patagonia
Carol Shu, Sustainability Manager, The North Face
Small group discussion Q1: Why still Down?
Small group discussion Q2: What should the role of this group be?
Karla Magruder, Founder, Fabrikology | Textile Exchange Board Member & rPET Working Group Lead
Goals
Market updates
rPET mechanical supply chain intervention points
Future of rPET chemical developments
New goals for 2030
rPET Commitment status
Susan Mair, Research Analyst, ICIS
Matt Tudball, Head of European Markets, ICIS
Maurizio Crippa, CEO, Gr3n
Katy Stevens, Sustainability Project Manager, European Outdoor Group
William Jasper, President of Two-Eleven Associates and previously Chairman and CEO of Unifi Inc.
Karla Magruder, Fabrikology | Textile Exchange Board Member & rPET Working Group Lead
Brad Boren, Director of innovation and Sustainability, Norrøna | Biosynthetics Working Group Chair
Sophia Oppersalski, Fiber and Materials Specialist, Textile Exchange
Results from the first comprehensive stakeholder survey on biosynthetics and the textile industry – based on over 130 survey participants. Presented by Textile Exchange.
Sophia Oppersalski, Fiber and Materials Specialist, Textile Exchange
Sandra Bohne, Junior Consultant, Global Sustainable Management GmbH
All you ever wanted to know about bio based feedstocks (such as crops, biomass, and caster) for biosynthetic textiles, how to measure impact, and what the future holds.
Federica Zanetti, Assistant Professor, University of Bologna
Marc Binder, VP Sustainable Services, thinkstep
Bob Rozmiarek, Senior Director, Business Analysis and Strategy, Virent
Ralph Lerner, Senior Director of Business Development, Virent
Touch and feel products made from biobased (or part biobased) feedstocks including Sorona® (bioPTT) from Dupont, EVO® (bio PA) from Fulgar, biopolyester (based on bio PX produced by Virent), synthetic spider silk and more!
Ding Hao, Business Development & Technical Sales Manager EMEA, Dupont
Jamie Bainbridge, VP Product Development, Bolt Threads
Ralph Lerner, Senior Director of Business Development, Virent
Andrea Lorenzetti, Sales Manager, Fulgar
Alex Panizzon, Industrial Manager, Fulgar
What does the future hold for biosynthetcs? Where is the technology, policy, R&D, and market taking us?
You’d told us what you want through various mediums, including market-segment focus groups, and the 2018 consultation survey, so it was time to set the agenda in motion for 2019.
Simone Seisl, Consultant & European Ambassador, Textile Exchange
Nicole Lambert, Data Analyst, Textile Exchange
Dr. Siva Pariti, Senior Technical Marketing Officer, Sustainable Textile Solutions
Dr. Siva Pariti, Senior Technical Marketing Officer, Sustainable Textile Solutions
Birgit Altmann, Associate Economic Affairs Officer, UNECE/FAO
Participants were invited to choose one of the below workshops to join at the start. Half way through, they were asked to choose a second workshop to join.
Melissa Filion, Senior Campaigner & Quebec Director, Canopy
Felix Romero, Value Chain Development Manager, FSC International
Eva van der Brugge, Innovation Manager, Fashion for Good
Janne Poranen, CEO, Spinnova
Christina Raab, Global Implementation Director, ZDHC Foundation
Luo Zheng, Global Environmental Manager, Lenzing
Claire Bergkamp, Worldwide Director of Sustainability and Innovation, Stella McCartney
Amanda Carr, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Canopy
