The programme brought together brands, retailers, manufacturers, researchers, recyclers, innovators and investors. Across four sessions, speakers examined next-generation fibres and materials, lower-impact colour and finishing, ways to create value from textile waste, and technologies that can strengthen traceability and verification.
A recurring question was what it takes to move an innovation from a promising pilot into everyday use and included considerations around quality, price and volume.
Discussions explored the evidence, investment, partnerships and supply chain changes needed for new materials and processes to work at commercial scale. Case studies showed how businesses are already testing and adopting solutions, while panels gave attendees the opportunity to examine the practical barriers with those developing and using them.
The Textile Innovation Showcase made that work tangible. Its 18 UK-based exhibitors presented developments spanning bio-based materials, colour and finishes, textile-to-textile recycling, advanced sorting, AI-enabled design and manufacturing technology. Attendees could meet the teams behind the innovations and see how different approaches could help reduce waste, change the use of resources and keep materials in circulation for longer. UKFT has also published a new guide to its Innovation Members.
The event served as the launchpad for The Circuit, a collaboration involving New Look, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Oxfam and Circle-8 to develop routes from UK post-consumer textiles to recycling feedstock. Its first phase is due to begin in January 2027 at Oxfam’s Batley site.
Opening keynote speaker Georgia Parker, Innovation Director at Fashion for Good, set the theme for the day by considering what progress looks like when new ideas are tested against industry needs and put into practice. Beatrice Oldenburg, Project Manager for Innovation at the H&M Foundation, closed the programme with a look at what may come next, including the people and skills needed to support change.
Progress in Practice showed the value of bringing different parts of the supply chain into the same conversation.
UKFT will continue to connect innovators with industry and support businesses as they assess, test and adopt approaches that can deliver lasting change.
UKFT introduced a number of new sustainability services, which will soon be available for members. These include sustainability clinics, green claims reviews, strategy and ESG roadmaps, guidance on standards and certifications, and responsible sourcing and ethical trade support. The services are designed to help members identify relevant priorities and turn them into practical action.
UKFT would like to thank the speakers, exhibitors and attendees who contributed to the day, the Textile Livery Group for its continued support, and the Drapers’ Company for hosting the conference.
Speakers:
Opening:
- Adam Mansell, UKFT
- Georgia Parker, Fashion for Good
The Era of Bio-Based Materials
- Dr Lauren Junestrand, UKFT
- Jeanne Bégon-Lours, Tera Mira
- Sarah Angold, 29acacia
- Premal Gadhia, Fibe
- Josh Nusenbaum, SEFF
- Cynthia Adu, PACT
- Christine Goulay, Sustainabelle
- Chelsea Franklin, Studio Chelsea Franklin
- Oksana Bondar, Pentland Brands
- Sarah Coleman, Margaret Howell
- Julian Ellis-Brown, Ponda
Rethinking chemistry: Colour & Finishing
- Caroline Adams – Sparxell
- Adelya Khayrova, Demeter Bio
- Lara Pizzato, Amphico
- Aida Rafat, DyeRecycle
- Amy Tsang, The Mills Fabrica
- Matthias Foessel, Beyond Surface Technologies
- Shiyo Takeoka, Goldwin Venture Partners Inc
- Jun Kamei, Amphico
From Waste to Value
- Charlotte Gruender, Epoch Biodesign
- Dr Hans Chan, Matoha
- Amy Nguyen, Sustainable & Social
- Maxime Bourland, Recover;
- Natalie Cox, Primark
- Nicolas Lambert, Primark
- Lynda Petherick, New Look
- Katharine Beacham, Marks & Spencer
- Julie Tyrrell, Oxfam
- Cyndi Rhoades, Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems
- Annabelle Hutter, Säntis Textiles AG
- Kristina Bull, WEFT
- Woody Lello, Truss AI
- Kevin Dixie, Buyerdock
The Next Frontier of Traceability: Science, Data and Proof
- Gediminas Mikutis, Haelixa
- Tobias Herzog, Tailorlux Integrity Solutions
- Sarah Scott, Oritain
- Brooke Roberts-Islam, Techstyler
- Mathilde Ottaviano, TextileGenesis;
- Katharine Beacham, Marks & Spencer
- Graham Clark, British Wool
Closing:
- Beatrice Oldenburg, H&M Foundation
- Tara Hounslea, UKFT
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