Ohana Interview Series Highlights: Reflecting on Key Insights from Industry Experts

At Ohana, we strongly believe that collaboration paves the way to the best outcomes. Which is why our interviews with a wide range of subject-matter experts have become an essential part of the content we share on our blog.

Over the years, we have spoken to a number of industry experts, gathered insights, shared opinions and discussed important topics. We wanted to bring all of this valuable knowledge under one roof. In this article you will find a snapshot of each of our interviews, and understand how the topics they explored connect to the current happenings in the EU.

So get ready to explore the critical topics of sustainability, EU legislation, and the future of fashion and textiles through the collective wisdom of some of the most respected professionals and organisations within those spaces.

Want someone with deep experience and connections in the EU to help guide your sustainability strategy? Get in touch!

H&M Group: Why Collaboration and Knowledge are Key in Driving Sustainable Change

Our interview with Pernilla Halldin, Head of Public Affairs at H&M Group, explored several topics, including the company’s pioneering approach to public affairs in relation to sustainability. Pernilla highlighted how the fashion industry – traditionally detached from policymaking – is now realising the importance of engaging with policymakers to find lasting sustainability solutions for the sector. This is especially true in light of the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, which makes the cooperative strategies discussed by her critical for addressing the environmental challenges faced by textiles, but also for business competitiveness.

As she explains, H&M Group is committed to leading this change not only by fostering collaboration with policymakers but also with industry peers, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Pernilla’s insights reinforce that a collective approach is essential for driving systemic change, and that the EU’s ambitious sustainability targets make the dialogue between the textile sector and public institutions more relevant than ever.

Read our full interview with the H&M Group.

Policy Hub: Why Education and Advocacy Should Drive EU Engagement

Our conversation with Bente Bauer, former Public Affairs Manager at the Policy Hub, provided invaluable insights into driving sustainability within the textile industry through strategic advocacy and EU engagement.

The Policy Hub is a platform created to unite the apparel and footwear industry in proposing policies that accelerate circular practices. And, in this interview, Bente goes deeper into why diverse stakeholders — from large brands to NGOs — should work together to develop a cohesive message and collectively present it to policymakers. This discussion is essential for organisations looking to effectively navigate and shape the EU policy landscape, and underscores the relevance of policy education in realising Europe’s green vision.

Read our full interview with Policy Hub.

Textile Exchange: Why Balanced Subject Matter Expertise is Key in the Sustainability Debate

In our interview with Beth Jensen, Climate+ Impact Director at Textile Exchange, we delved into the importance of subject matter expertise in advancing sustainability within the fashion and textile industry. Among other things, Jensen explained how Textile Exchange collaborates with brands, manufacturers, and farmers to drive positive change.

In her view, by promoting a balanced three-dimensional approach to sustainability – encompassing environmental, social, and economic factors – organisations will be able to ensure more tangible and long-term sustainability. Detailing her organisation’s focus on providing subject matter expertise on policies related to sustainable fibres and materials, Beth also offered interesting perspectives on the polemic subject of lobbying, and how it can be a catalyst for change.

Read our full interview with Textile Exchange.

Sympatex: How a Small Player Gets Their Voice Heard in Brussels

Our interview with Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO at Sympatex, is a must-read piece where we discuss how small companies can effectively engage with EU policymakers and help shape sustainability policies.

Dr. Fox details how Sympatex, a leading producer of eco-friendly, recyclable textiles, aligns its business strategy with sustainability goals, and how, despite the challenges, their direct engagement with EU representatives has been crucial in influencing policies around circularity and textiles. Once again, this conversation stresses the very current need for SMEs to focus on proactive and informed advocacy, ensuring that upcoming EU legislation is also catered to their specific realities.

Read our full interview with Sympatex.

Compreli, Part 2: Making EU Legislation Accessible for Non-EU Textile Players

Our recent conversation with Ramesh De Silva, co-founder of Compreli Consulting, was so insightful that it had to be split into two parts.

The readiness of textile companies in countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India for impending EU sustainability legislation was the subject of the second part of our chat with Ramesh. Speaking to the reality of his home country, De Silva detailed the significant gap in knowledge sharing within Sri Lanka, and the difference in how SMEs and larger manufacturers access information about legislative changes.

Among other key recommendations, De Silva called for clear, standardised guidelines from EU policymakers to ensure that textile players on all levels will be ready for upcoming legislation. Beyond illustrating the reality of textiles in Southeast Asia, Ramesh’s insights alert us to the challenges of developing policies with a global impact, and the need for taking the EU’s stakeholder engagement to the next level, if we are to succeed.

Read the second part of our interview with Compreli in full.

TreeToTextile: Shaping a Greener Future Through Innovation & Collaboration

We had the opportunity to interview Ida Alnemo, Head of Application & Sustainability at TreeToTextile, to learn more about the organisation’s pioneering efforts in creating a sustainable cellulose-based textile fibre. In our chat, Alnemo detailed how TreeToTextile’s innovative technology produces a fibre that mimics cotton’s feel while using significantly fewer chemicals, energy, and water, thus underscoring their commitment to making high-quality sustainable fibres accessible globally.

Discussing the EU Textile Labelling Regulation, Ida also emphasised the importance of developing suitable labelling legislation with requirements on environmental impact data, to better inform consumers. This highly-informative conversation reaffirmed the role of innovation in driving the textile industry’s green transition, and how organisations of all sizes can influence market practices and legislative development.

Read our full interview with TreeToTextile.

Sustainable Fashion Academy: Cleaning up the Apparel Industry Through Climate Policy and Incentives

Our discussion with Michael Schragger, founder of the Sustainable Fashion Academy (SFA), examined why strong policy incentives and ambitious legislation are essential for reducing the textile sector’s carbon emissions.

Through initiatives like the Swedish Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA), Schragger explained how SFA is focused on accelerating progress towards science-based sustainability targets by leveraging the power and influence of the apparel and textiles industry. Diving deeper into this piece, you will also learn about Michael’s views regarding the gaps in the EU’s Fit for 55 package which, revising key climate, energy, and transport legislation, will have an impact on all sectors.

Read our full interview with the Sustainable Fashion Academy.

Melanie Hackler: Gaps In the Waste Framework Directive & the Challenges of Textile Waste

In another enlightening conversation, Melanie Hackler, a circular economy and sustainability strategies advisor, joined us to discuss the missing elements within the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and the pressing challenges of textile waste management. Melanie emphasised the crucial role of the recently updated Waste Shipment Regulation in the success of the WFD, noting that hindering the export of low-quality textiles is essential for developing more robust local recycling initiatives.

She also pointed out the complexities and limitations in harmonising Extended Producer Responsibility schemes across diverse EU member states and the necessity for eco-modulated fees to support effective waste management infrastructure. Despite the hurdles, Melanie remains optimistic about the future, highlighting that emerging technologies and collaborative efforts are paving the way for improved textile recycling.

Read our full interview with Melanie Hackler.

Compreli, Part1: Facing The Inconvenient Truth About Pre-consumer Textile Waste

In our initial discussion with Ramesh De Silva, co-founder of Compreli Consulting, we explored the critical issue of pre-consumer textile waste and the sector’s current sustainability challenges.

Speaking from his first-hand experience, Ramesh shared details about the staggering reality of how the industry operates, and explained that nearly half of all fibre used in garment production ends up as waste. De Silva’s insights underscored the need for a shift in the sector’s mindset and practices, along with new sustainability legislation that prioritises repair over replacement and overproduction.

Read the first part of our interview with Compreli in full.

ChemSec: How Positive Industry Voices Drive Policy Change

In this enlightening interview with Theresa Kjell, Senior Policy Advisor at ChemSec, you will learn why (and how) EU companies should prioritise working directly with Brussels and not only through trade organisations.

Among many interesting topics, Theresa discussed how it is possible for businesses of all sizes and sectors to get started with chemicals substitution, to proactively foster a new culture of safety and sustainability. During our conversation, Kjell also offered a strategic take on the EU Sustainable Chemicals Strategy and explained why companies should be joining the policy debate to present a more positive perspective of the industry.

Read our full interview with ChemSec.

EOG and FESI: Widening the Conversation on Microfibres

Katy Stevens, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability at the European Outdoor Group (EOG), and Jerome Pero, General Secretary at Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), were our guests for a special interview about sustainability and microfibres. Exploring the intricate issue of fibre fragmentation in textiles, Katy and Jerome commented on the EU Microplastics Initiatives, and explained how our challenge is in fact much broader than just microplastics.

Discussing efforts such as the Cross Industry Agreement, which developed a method for measuring microplastic emissions, their insights inform us about the holistic approach required to mitigate the environmental impacts of fibre shedding throughout a product’s lifecycle.

Read our full interview with EOG and FESI.

Ohana’s Key Takeaways

It’s interesting to see that all these interviews in some way highlight one critical message: the importance of collaboration and proactive legislative engagement in driving sustainable change across the fashion and textile industries. Through insights from a wide array of experts, we have learned that a united approach involving all stakeholders — from large corporations to SMEs, NGOs, and policymakers — is essential for addressing environmental challenges and achieving the EU’s sustainability goals.

We will continue to have these important conversations, and branch out to other sectors outside of textiles, so stay tuned to the Ohana blog for new insights. And, if you are ready to translate all this expert advice into action, get in touch with our team, and let’s work on the tailored public affairs and sustainability strategies that will support your business goals.

Want someone with deep experience and connections in the EU to help guide your sustainability strategy? Get in touch!

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