The EDANA Sustainability Forum evolved out of our Circular Nonwovens Forum. It covers all relevant sustainability topics for the nonwovens industry, including natural raw materials, consumer expectations, circularity, bioeconomy, and more.
The Forum includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, round tables, and Q&A sessions. It is the opportunity to learn, share, and network on sustainability, and aims to overcome challenges and collectively find opportunities to accelerate the industry’s net-positive impact.
NEW THIS YEAR - Willing to further grow your skills and knowledge on sustainability?
Join EDANA training courses on sustainability, the same week, in Brussels, and make the most of your time here!
EDANA is indeed organising two training courses that week:
Both are taking place in Brussels in the EDANA office. When registering for more than one activity, you benefit from discounted registration fees.
Visit this page for more info as well as registration.
The EDANA Sustainability Forum will host different stakeholders, such as NGOs, companies across all nonwovens applications from across the value chain, European regulators, and legislators. They will provide their perspectives and research on how to make the nonwovens industry sustainable, as well as motivate participants by initiating conversations on the sustainability challenges and opportunities that our industry faces.
Professionals working in the nonwovens or related industries, with a focus on or interest in sustainability. For example: General Managers / Chief Engineers / Research Leads / Senior Managers / Department Managers / Deputy Managers / Supervisors / Senior Engineers / Senior Specialists working in:
“The Forum was really insightful and achieved great insights in the challenges and the possibilities we face when we talk about sustainability. I gained a lot of insights into how we should move forward and start collaborating. That’s one of the key points I take from today because we cannot do this alone, sustainability is an industry initiative”
Lasse Taidal, R&D Project Manager at Fibertex Personal Care.
“This is an excellent opportunity to be able to see an overview of what’s going on in sustainability, especially when we have these discussions about plastics, their future, and which direction we are going to take as an industry. Very fascinating. I was also able to meet customers, stakeholders, and old colleagues. It’s a great event, I like it a lot"
Tommi Bjornman, President & CEO of Suominen
“The sustainability topic is so important that it’s very good that EDANA is bringing us together and discussing it across the whole value chain.”
Jörg Schöner, Senior Manager Global Business Creation Textile Fibers at Kemira
In this session, we will explore the intricate landscape of corporate sustainability and social responsibility within the nonwovens industry, focusing on the challenges posed by the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Understanding these legislations' current status and significance is crucial for industry stakeholders. We will delve into best practices for assessing double materiality and examine how third-party platforms are evolving their requirements to align with these regulatory changes. Join us to gain insights on navigating these complex frameworks and discuss strategic approaches in the nonwovens sector.
In this session, we will explore the intricate landscape of corporate sustainability and social responsibility within the nonwovens industry, focusing on the challenges posed by the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Understanding these legislations' current status and significance is crucial for industry stakeholders.
We will delve into best practices for assessing double materiality and examine how third-party platforms are evolving their requirements to align with these regulatory changes.
Join us to gain insights on navigating these complex frameworks and discuss strategic approaches in the nonwovens sector.
This session focuses on how to measure your sustainability performance. We will delve into the critical topic of ensuring the credibility of sustainability performance and addressing any potential lack of trust.
We will explore whether companies have sufficient resources to measure their sustainability impact accurately and how we can support them, including options like LCA software.
Additionally, we will discuss strategies to improve the measurement of sustainability performance. We will also tackle the ambitious goal of reaching net zero by 2050, examining feasibility and highlighting EDANA actions to attain this goal.
This session aims to provide comprehensive insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for achieving sustainability in the medical nonwovens industry. It will explore the evolving landscape of the medical nonwovens industry and its journey towards fitting into a circular economy.
We will examine the latest updates on the EU’s Waste Framework Directive and its implications for the medical nonwovens sector. The discussion will explore the viability of business models for recycling medical nonwovens and how EDANA is spearheading initiatives in this area. Additionally, we will address the primary challenges hospitals face in managing waste effectively.
Making trustworthy environmental claims necessitates clarity, transparency, and comprehensibility. This session will examine the tools available to measure and communicate the sustainability profile of nonwoven materials and products. It will review the status of the Green Claims Directive and how the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) aligns with its requirements.
The discussion will highlight best practices, outlining the dos and don’ts of making green claims, and will evaluate whether eco-labels serve as practical tools for the industry in substantiating their claims.
In this session, we will investigate the advancements in durable nonwovens for sustainable solutions, with a focus on geosynthetics. We will highlight the innovative technologies and materials driving nonwovens' future, enhancing their durability and sustainability. Participants will gain insights into the latest developments and best practices for integrating durable nonwovens into various applications, emphasizing their role in sustainable infrastructure and environmental protection. By the end of this session, attendees will have a comprehensive understanding of how these advancements can be leveraged to promote sustainability in both current and future projects.
We will wrap up the forum with a visit to the European Commission, where discussions will continue to address sustainability policies. Attendees will be able to learn firsthand how environmental policies are developed in the EU and hear about the latest developments in EU sustainability legislation.
The morning will conclude with a wrap-up session encouraging participants to openly discuss key takeaways from the forum, as well as challenges and opportunities for the nonwovens industry.
As the General Manager of EDANA, the leading global association and voice of the nonwovens and related industries, I am responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, operations, finances, and marketing of the organization. I have more than 15 years of experience in association management and consulting, with a proven track record of delivering value and results for international societies and associations across various sectors, including mobility, healthcare, energy, and media.
I am an entrepreneurial, results-driven, and innovative thinker who thrives in fast-paced and challenging roles, where I can make a lasting contribution to the advancement and sustainability of the industry. I hold an MScom and the ASAE Certificate Program in Association Management, which demonstrates my commitment to the highest standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct. I am also a multi-lingual professional who speaks French, Turkish, and Arabic, and who enjoys working with diverse and multicultural teams and stakeholders.
Brieuc Lits is the Public Affairs Director at EDANA, joining the organization in June 2024. In this role, Brieuc oversees the advocacy activities of the association, including fostering relationships with EU stakeholders.
Prior to this, he worked in public affairs and communications at various European associations, focusing on sustainability, chemical legislation, energy, and employment.
Brieuc holds a PhD in Political Communication from the Université libre de Bruxelles, where his doctoral dissertation centered on EU lobbying. Additionally, he holds two master's degrees: one in Public Relations and another in Management from UCLouvain.
Prabhat Mishra is currently a Board Member and Director of Sustainability at Nonwovenn Ltd. in the U.K. Previously, he held senior sustainability and materials technology roles at Johnson & Johnson, Mondelez International, PA Consulting, and British Petroleum across various global locations.
He holds a master’s degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, and Plastics Technology, along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Management. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining (IOM3), a Chartered Scientist, a Gold Level Member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, and actively involved in several professional organizations.
Prabhat Mishra is renowned for his compelling keynote presentations and his ability to curate in-depth thematic sessions, drawing on his profound expertise. He has also adeptly moderated and presided over numerous global forums. His professional acumen encompasses the realms of sustainability, innovation, novel product creation, CBRN, and sustainable packaging solutions. On a personal level, his vegan lifestyle underscores his commitment to fostering a harmonious relationship between humanity and the rich tapestry of life on Earth.
Marta Roche Díez is the Sustainability and Technical Affairs Manager for EDANA, the leading global association advocating the benefits of nonwovens for society, a position she has held since January 2022.
Based in Brussels, Marta manages EDANA’s sustainability and technical affairs work across all nonwovens applications. This includes updating the Nonwovens Standard Procedures, as well as supporting the development of international standards – both ISO and CEN – including technical work as necessary. This work is key, as standards provide a reference point for the nonwovens industry and help to ensure fair trade.
Prior to joining EDANA, Marta spent four years in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, primarily dealing with homecare products. There she gained experience in product development, consumer understanding, and packaging technology. Having originally studied environmental science, Marta is currently finalizing a second master’s degree in Sustainability and CSR.
I work as a Nordic product manager in Nordic Ecolabelling. Nordic Ecolabelling has offices in each Nordic country and I work in Helsinki, Finland. My main tasks are related to product development of Nordic Swan Ecolabel paper-based criteria but I also coordinate Nordic Ecolabelling’s intern expert groups working with overall environmental themes related to chemicals, materials, energy etc.
I have originally studied environmental sciences in the University of Helsinki and has PhD in forest ecology, so my studies and previous work in the field of research and waste management, among other things, provide a broad basis for working with life cycle-based ecolabels.
Philippe Wijns is a global leader and expert in nonwovens and filtration, specializing in spunbond and meltblown technologies, hydroentanglement, carding, and needle-punching. With a prosperous career at various global market leaders in these fields, Philippe recently launched his brand, CleverSustainability. As a sustainable business development advisor, he successfully helps mid-sized and smaller companies develop sustainable strategies, comply with Green Deal and CSRD reporting, and grow their businesses and market visibility.
Philippe holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine and chemistry from the Catholic University of Leuven, a Master’s in Strategic Marketing from Maastricht School of Management, and a postgraduate degree in International Business and Transfer Pricing. He is also a certified expert in Sustainable Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, where he in addition studies Renewable Energy. Frankfurt is his hometown
The first two days will take place at the KBR - The Royal Library of Belgium - which is the national scientific library.
Mont des Arts 28
1000 Brussels
Belgium
The third day will include a visit to the European Commission. Transportation will be provided.
Delegate fees: Fees include entrance to the conference, lunches, coffee breaks, 1 evening cocktail, a networking drink, a visit to the European Commission, as well as the conference presentations in digital format. Fees exclude 21% Belgian VAT.
| EDANA Member | Non-member |
| 1.320€ | 1.760€ |
Discount: Benefit from a 10% discount by registering a minimum of 3 delegates. Registrations must be done simultaneously to benefit from the discount.
Become an official sponsor of the second edition of the EDANA Sustainability Forum and enhance your company's visibility. This is a prime opportunity to keep your brand at the forefront of attendees' minds.
Sponsorship opportunities include:
Check our sponsorship brochure for details and price.
The Forum takes place at the KBR, The Royal Library of Belgium, located in the center of Brussels. Please note there is a paying parking available.
To facilitate your stay, we have secured rooms in 4 hotels. We strongly recommend you book your room as soon as possible, since they will be released closer to the date. Then, it will be subject to availabilities. Click here for hotels presentation and booking links.
EDANA has packed 4 days with in-depth content on sustainability combining the Forum as well as 2 training courses on sustainabiliy. You can chose to attend just the EDANA Forum or a training course, or make the most of your time in Brussels to attend everything and come back to the office with valuable insights and actionable plans to implement. Visit this page for more info as well as registration.
Programme overview:
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In November 2023, EDANA organized the first edition of the EDANA Sustainability Forum. Established in Brussels, Belgium, this new event gathered just under 150 nonwovens professionals to address issues from the future of value chain transparency to bioeconomy innovations.
Being held in the heart of the European Union offered participants the unique opportunity to meet with EU officials. The three-day event included presentations from European Commission staff and culminated with a tour of the European Parliament. It was also an opportunity to unveil EDANA’s recently revised sustainability vision. Available on the EDANA website, it is split into three pillars addressing climate action, circular solutions, and a sustainable value chain. Read more.
Download EDANA Sustainability Vision
Participants of the 2023 Forum at the European Parliament:
