Will sustainability survive the credit crunch?

Interstoff Asia Essential Spring 2009 is scheduled to open on 18th March at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre for 3 days, showcasing the latest fabrics from around the globe. The event has confirmed an informative discussion led by a panel of international industry experts. Hosted by Germany’s largest trade fair organizer Messe Frankfurt, Levi Strauss, Hennes & Mauritz and BASF, among other leading brands confirmed to speak at this season's panel discussion. As well as sourcing top quality textiles, exhibitors and visitors will have an opportunity to take part in educational platforms that explore relevant issues facing today’s textile industry. Most notably, the Eco Textile Asia Panel Discussion will explore the topic: "Can sustainability survive the global credit crunch?" organised in cooperation with Ecotextile News, and will offer new business ideas to textile and garment manufacturers, focusing on strategies in dealing with the current market challenges.

Mr John Mowbray, Editor and Publisher for Ecotextile News and moderator for this year’s panel discussion, believes that the forum will offer relevant information that reflect industry trends. “As textile and clothing producers start to implement the environmentally responsible changes demanded by retailers and consumers, they will see that being more sustainable can also improve their profit margins.” Mr. Mowbray further noted, “being greener and cleaner also means manufacturers can differentiate their product offer and help them to move the discussion away from increasingly lower prices.”

Mr Mowbray also spoke on the importance of the fair, “situated in Hong Kong, Interstoff Asia Essential is in an ideal position to bring these issues to the heart of the global textile manufacturing sector especially since it is already making major efforts to showcase and highlight eco-textile production in this region.”

Experts from around the world will ask if sustainability can survive the global credit crunch in order to stimulate open dialogue between speakers and attendees. The discussion will be divided into a retailer and supplier session, respectively including H&M, Levi, Triumph and BASF, Central Textiles (HK) for suppliers among others.

Image: Hennes & Mauritz