ISPO focuses on sustainability

02. Feb 2012 During the ISPO fair in Münich recently, a panel debate arranged by Marmot in the Snow Ice & Rock Summit focused on the comeback of the natural fibers, while the European Outdoor Group explored sustainability over breakfast. NICE was invited to participate in both events.

 As the first event was held in an open and relaxed forum, the panelists ended up with a fruitful discussion on many issues surrounding sustainability and natural fibers. Since Woolmark was represented by Dr Paul Swan and Kjersti Kviseth from 2025design (representing the Valuing Norwegian Wool project as well as NICE) focused much attention on the data-gaps of current tools and assessments for fibers, there were many positive comments on the eco-profile of wool. Bluesign, on the other hand, brought up the adverse effects of bleaching and dyeing, but was corrected by Devold’s CEO Trond Sleipnes, who gave an update on more modern production methods.

The future demand of fibers, and the increased pressure on land-use, also became a theme – since this may be one constraint when it comes to natural fibers and their possible resurgence. The same theme surfaced the following morning in the Exploring Sustainability Breakfast, along with the issue of profit if the predicted increased focus on quality and longevity rather than fast fashion and consumption becomes reality. Here the input from Pavel Misiga, Head of Unit, Sustainable Production and Consumption, Directorate-General for Environment put some perspective on what the authorities are considering. Take-back policies and possibly an EcoDesign Directive similar to the one for energy-consuming products: “In the future this could also include energy-embedded products,” he explained.

Aside from the NICE/2025design presentation on “the dirty business of LCAs”, Martin Besieux and Tony Sadownichik from Greenpeace put a healthy scare in to the audience by announcing that if the sports and apparel companies in the audience did not accept to take the lead in their Detox campaign, they would be viewed as “part of the problem”. Which didn’t sound very NICE at all…