Circular & Biobased Textiles Innovation Hub’s Post

Are you ready to future-proof your product and service systems? Our transformative 8-month Circular Design Programme is tailored to support Nordic industrial manufacturing companies in evolving their operations towards a circular economy. 🔆 Who Should Join? - Medium to large enterprises with R&D/design functions - Companies designing and manufacturing end products (excluding component manufacturers) - Businesses keen to embrace circular economy principles 🏆 What You Will Gain: - In-Depth Insights: Master the transition to a circular market and stay ahead of future legal requirements. - Strategic Roadmap: Develop clear, actionable goals to support sustainable growth. - Innovative Solutions: Design cutting-edge circular products and services that differentiate your company. - Powerful Tools: Equip your team with the latest tools to measure, evaluate, and enhance circularity efforts. - Networking Opportunities: Connect with other Nordic circular frontrunners. 💡 Programme Highlights: - Flexible format with online and physical training modules - Workshops, podcasts, and 1-2-1 coaching - Tailored online learning environment for additional materials and idea exchange - No participation fee; just a commitment of time and engagement 👩🎓 Commitment Required: - At least one participant per track - Medium to large industrial manufacturing companies with end-products - A minimum of 200 hours of participant time (work time, meetings, and workshops included) - Balanced participation from all five Nordic countries 🌎 Applications are processed on a 'first come, first served' basis if they exceed 50. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to lead in circular design and innovation!

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐋, 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 – 🚀 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 🚀 🔍 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: Semi-durable goods - sport and leisure items, furniture, interiors, and mobility aids. 🧐 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭? Natural Fiber Composites (NFCs) are increasingly used for producing lightweight products, but are often embedded in fossil-based matrices, which makes it complicated both for recycling and biodegradation. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪-𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘕𝘍𝘊𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘊𝘖2 𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯? 💼 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞? Gain market insights, scope-out new materials, build networks and access pre-competitive know-how with minimal investment. 📊 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 1 – 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥, 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 ▪️ Gain insights in biodegradable matrices and composites, incl. Market Overview ▪️ Understand manufacturability challenges and limitations ▪️ Get an overview of biodegradability regulations, norms, certifications, and EU policies ▪️ Risk/opportunity assessment in switching from fossil based to bio-based and biodegradable solutions 🔬 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 2 – 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 ▪️ Understand processing challenges with promising material/technology combinations ▪️ Access to small-scale demonstrators for selected Application ▪️ Identify perspectives for further research ▪️ Consulting and support with identifying public funding channels 📅 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬: Materials and applications will be shaped based on participant interest. The project includes brainstorming sessions, regular updates, and formal reporting. 📩 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭: For more info, reach out to Dr.-Ing. Theodosia Kourkoutsaki or Dr. Annette Kolkmann. More details are in the PDF below.

It all started with a quarter life career crisis. On paper, I had the coolest job in materials innovation and I finally had sustainability written into my job description after years of investing many hours outside of the typical work day to learn as fast as I could. But it still didn’t sit right- it still didn’t feel like I was really getting the chance to dig as deep as I wanted to and work with all the people that need a seat at the table when designing holistic textile systems. So I took a leap and started working for myself. Started investing in myself and the future I wanted to help create. Started investing and volunteering my time in supporting scientists and policy makers to translate learnings into solutions. Started working with animal and plant fiber producers to learn more about what the land, the land steward, and the soil needs. Spending the little money I had to travel to places around the world where research was happening and where I could work directly with the scientists and nature stewards working on the ground, or in the sea. Then eventually I started finding paid work and projects. Just enough projects to keep going but continuing to invest as much as I could back into gaining knowledge and supporting mission aligned entities. Realizing that so much of the important work was supporting translation, deep connection, and making more space for curiousity and creativity. And now I’m here. An entrepreneur who is still trying to learn as much as she can and still keep a business going during hard economic times. A soloprenuer on year 7 of building a purpose driven consultancy, a deep and introspective experiential learning arm that is ever changing, and a beautiful ecosystem of clients, partners, collaborators, and -most of all- dear friends. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, and especially to those who have continued to, along the way. I am reflecting on how grateful I am for you in this moment. 🤗 ❤️ And if we haven’t worked together yet, please reach out! I love to nerd out on all things sustainable textiles but my superpowers are #materialsinnovation, anything related to #microfiberpollution, and building #regenerativefibersystems.

Hello LinkedIn friends! Exciting times ahead! I’m diving into a topic that’s not only a passion of mine but a critical pivot for industries worldwide—Sustainability in Supply Chain Management. As we stride toward a future where innovation isn’t just about growth but also sustainability, let’s spotlight the daring pioneers who are redefining efficiency, environmentaly and financially. 🌱 Imagine a world where waste becomes a resource and supply chains a model of efficiency. This isn’t a distant dream—some audacious innovators are making it a reality today. Let’s spotlight a few game changers who are transforming traditional practices into sustainability success stories. From Waste to Wonder: 🏗️ BIOHM in the UK is pioneering the use of organic waste to create construction materials that are both biodegradable and structurally robust. Their approach could drastically cut down the environmental impact of building materials. The Power of Nature: 👚Bolt Threads harnesses proteins inspired by spider silk to create fabrics that are 100% biodegradable. Imagine the impact on fashion’s footprint when clothes can return to the earth. Revolutionizing Preservation: 🥩Mimica develops a biodegradable food freshness sensor that reduces waste by more accurately indicating spoilage. It’s not just extending product life; it’s changing how we manage food logistics from farm to fork. These pioneers are not just tweaking systems; they are rebuilding them for a sustainable age. 🌱 Open Questions: ▫️What unique sustainability innovations have caught your eye? ▫️How could these technological advancements be applied in your industry? ▫️Are there potential collaborations that could amplify these efforts? Feel free to dive into this discussion and share how we can leverage these groundbreaking innovations to redefine our industries. Your insights could spark the next big idea!💡 #SustainabilityLeaders #InnovativeSupplyChains #FutureOfIndustry #Earthday #CircularEconomy #CleanTech #WasteReduction #GreenTech

Hear from three Danish startups who were matched up with Chinese stakeholders in Shanghai's strong innovation ecosystem as part of the SDG Landing Pad program 👋 GROUNDED Aps is behind a circular and green alternative to disposable cups; a coffee cup made from coffee grounds and plant fibers which is biodegradable and compostable both at home, in nature and in the sea. Continuum Composite Recycling has developed a new technology that can transform composite waste into recyclable products for buildings and thus make the construction industry more sustainable. TEGnology ApS has developed a technology that directly converts heat into electricity while eliminating CO2 emissions and the need for complex chemical reactions or moving parts. All three Danish startups have gained a foothold in the Chinese market where Danish green solutions are in high demand. This was a collaboration between Innovation Centre Denmark, Shanghai, Clean and DigitalLead. Hear about the entire process in the video, and see all the project cases at https://lnkd.in/eTnPXt7Z The Innovation Centre Denmark program SDG Landing Pad is a collaboration between Clean, Danish Life Science Cluster, DigitalLead, Rethink Sustainability Consultancy, Innovation Centre Denmark, Shanghai, Innovation Centre Denmark Boston, Innovation Centre Denmark Tel Aviv, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Industriens Fond.

🔍 Is investment in green R&D valuable and sufficient for successful eco-innovation? What types of investment are needed for eco-innovation? 📣 New study in Industry and Innovation: "Mix and Match: What is the Best R&D Recipe for Eco-Innovation?"   👥 Authors: Martina Ayoub and Stephane Lhuillery   🔑 Research Highlights: ⭕Successful eco-innovation requires both green and non-green R&D investments. ⭕Biotech R&D enhances eco-process innovation, while ICT R&D benefits eco-product innovation. ⭕Firms must strategically combine internal knowledge production from diverse fields like biotechnology and ICT to maximize eco-innovative outcomes.   💡 Policy and Managerial Implications:   Policymakers and managers should promote a broad R&D portfolio approach, combining green, biotech, and ICT R&D for better eco-innovation results, facilitating a faster transition to a sustainable economy.   🔗 #EcoInnovation #GreenTech #RDstrategy #Biotechnology #ICT #Sustainability 📚 Article Link: https://lnkd.in/efnCbh5Y

Had a great couple of days at the Rethinking Materials summit in London this week.  So much to think about... but my two main takeaways:   -Defining ‘good’ needs more work: We need to speed up, further standardize and reduce costs of assessing what good looks like.   -Collaboration is key: Exciting progress but more to be done up and down supply chain.   The need to act is clear. How to act exactly remains uncertain! The innovation taking place is incredible, from better use of legacy materials, fantastic new materials, rethinking designs, waste collection models and sorting technologies…to name a few. But also, and critically in measuring and defining what is "good" and driving relevant legislation with it. Inevitably innovation comes with all kinds of claims and counter claims, some very genuine using the best method & data available, some with just good intentions but not much data and some unfortunately opportunistic and unsupported green washing. LCA's & traceability legislation can of course help here, but LCA's are definitely not cheap, not that quick either and traceability is difficult to enforce and listening to panel sometimes abused (not really recycled materials). Potential of AI was a hot topic on a way of reducing costs and streamlining the LCA process. Unfortunately, I don’t have all the answers; however, it’s encouraging to see so many bright motivated minds engaged in finding the solution together.   Collaboration is key - There is an unprecedented level of collaboration taking place, it's incredible. But more needs to be done. In panel discussions you could see on one hand innovative new materials were needed, on the other recyclers and sorters already struggle with mixed plastic waste streams. The great analogy used by Stuart Hayward-Ingham from SUEZ UK compared it to looking for needles in haystacks, so basically, less needles please or different haystacks. It highlights the need for joined up thinking right from introduction of new materials, how designs use them, collection, sorting and to being brought back into the loop at the highest value possible.   As I said so much to think about, great progress made but much, much, more to be done. While it's an uncertain slightly daunting road ahead I had a feeling of great optimism leaving the conference, the will to act is there and together we need to make it happen.

👉 We need your help! Are you working in the domain of #innovation? Or are you working in the domain of #sustainability? 🛑 We’ve spotted a critical gap: innovation teams aren’t fully synced with sustainability goals. That’s why, in partnership with Made. we are researching the relation between sustainability and innovation within European organizations. Fill out our #survey and contribute to new insights on how companies can innovate for a more sustainable future. The survey takes only 15 minutes of your time and will be processed by Universiteit Antwerpen. 👇 Link in the first comment. Oh, by the way, we plant a tree for every completed survey in partnership with Go Forest! 🌳 Feel free to share or tag people in the comments. Questions or thoughts? Send me a message or reach out to Made. #research #circular #Sustainability #Made

🌍 Exciting Opportunity: Join Our Collaborative Online Workshop on Sustainable Nonwovens! 🚀 Are you passionate about sustainability transformation and eager to explore the intersection of digital technologies, platforms, and value creation in nonwovens? Then you should join our next collaborative online workshop! Don't miss out on the Collaborative Online Workshop on Sustainable Nonwovens, Digital Technologies and Platforms in Value Creation. 📅 Mark Your Calendars! Date: Tuesday, 16th April 2024 Time: 13:30 to 16:00 EEST (Helsinki time) Platform: ZOOM 🧠 Why You Should Attend: Gain invaluable insights from leading experts in the field. Engage in thought-provoking discussions and collaborative activities. Network with industry professionals and peers. Discover cutting-edge strategies and tools for sustainable nonwovens. 💡 This workshop is an integral part of the SUSTAFIT research project, designed to foster innovation and deepen understanding of sustainable nonwovens applications. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn, share experiences, and connect with like-minded professionals in a dynamic online environment. 📌 Registration Deadline: Friday, 12th April 2024, 16:00 EEST ✅ Registration is FREE and easy! Secure your spot by clicking here to register: https://lnkd.in/dTpA-riv All registered participants will receive the ZOOM meeting link via email. I'm super happy to serve as one of the keynote presenters, but personally, I cannot wait to listen to the keynote by Lisa Rossi from the Centre for International Manufacturing, Institute for Manufacturing and Management at the University of Cambridge. Her topic is "The Role of Digital Technologies in Enabling Circular Supply Networks through Product Life Cycle Traceability". I suggest you register today! Do it now! Click the link below 📌 Feel free to share this invitation with colleagues and friends who might be interested. We're excited to offer a platform for learning, networking, and sharing experiences that drive sustainability in the industry. 🚀 If you are interested in sustainability transformation and sustainable nonwovens, remember to connect with me also here on LinkedIn. And see you at the latest on 16th April at the workshop! #sustafit #sustainability #sustainabletransformation #tamk #aalto #vtt #businessfinland #researchproject #sales #management #researcherlife

It’s always good when you finish a day buzzing with optimism and excitement and this week I had just one of those days!     As a Fashion for Good #InnovationMentor, I had great pleasure to meet the new 2024 cohort of innovators and change makers. In a fast paced ‘Speed Dating’ format, each mentor had 7 minutes with the innovators to understand their pain points and explore briefly what support they needed in meeting their bold visions.      Topics explored #RawMaterials #EndOfUse and #Processing, but one of the key take aways for me this year, is the response to renewable and bio based materials. A topic that 15 years ago, with no regulatory pressure, a more passive sustainability agenda and low comparative oil costs was not high on people’s agendas; today we see not only commercially adopted solutions, but a maturity of new innovation that demonstrates strong problem led solutions.   Thank you to Algreen Ltd. Balena Nanollose Ltd (ASX:NC6) SEFF Gencrest HeiQ AeoniQ™ Samsara Eco Epoch Biodesign, REGENELEY Fibre52 for the pop of inspiration in my Tuesday!   As the Innovation Program continues, I very much look forward to delving deeper to inspire, challenge and share from my depth of sustainable textile and apparel experience. Are you an entrepreneur, start up or change maker not on this program but looking for support in reaching your vision? Please reach out to sophie.mather@biov8tion.com to find out more through an exploratory chat. #BoldChangeMakers #BuzzingWithOptimism #Innovation