UKFT’s Sustainability Conference 2026: Progress in Practice explored how innovation is driving real change across the UK fashion and textile supply chain.
Held on Wednesday 23 September from 9am to 6pm at Drapers’ Hall in London, the conference focused on the latest innovations driving a more sustainable UK fashion and textile industry. The event highlighted cutting-edge developments transforming the industry, including bio-based materials, low-impact dyes and finishes, textile reuse and recycling, data-driven circularity solutions, and the next generation of traceability and transparency.
For the first time in 2026, the conference featured a dedicated Textile Innovation Showcase, spotlighting pioneering solutions, breakthrough technologies and emerging innovators shaping the future of sustainable textiles.
This invite-only one-day event brought together brands, retailers, manufacturers, researchers, innovators, policymakers and funders to focus on what’s happening now and what’s coming next. UKFT’s Sustainability Conference 2026 offered a platform for networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration among key industry leaders from the sector.
The conference series has been made possible thanks to the generous support of The Textile Livery Group.
Speakers and Sessions
- Keynote: Georgia Parker, Fashion For Good
- The Era of Bio-Based: Materials: With speakers from 29acacia, Tera Mira, Fibe, SEFF, PACT, Sustainabelle, Studio Chelsea Franklin, Pentland Brands, Margaret Howell.
- Rethinking Chemistry: Colour and Finishing: With speakers from Sparxell, Demeter Bio, Amphico, DyeRecycle, The Mills Fabrica, Beyond Surface Technologies, Goldwin.
- From Waste to Value: Innovation Progress: With speakers from Epoch Biodesign, Matoha, Recover, Primark, Santis Technologies, AG, Weft, Truss AI, Buyerdock.
- The Next Frontier of Traceability: Science, Data and Proof: With speakers from Haelixa, Tailorlux, Oritain, Techstyler, TextileGenesis, Marks and Spencer, British Wool.
- Outnote: What's next in the innovation game? H&M Foundation
The event offered an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, learn directly from those driving change and be part of building a more sustainable future for UK fashion and textiles.
- Discover emerging innovations in sustainable materials, colour and finishing, reuse and recycling, traceability and transparency.
- Hear from pioneers and early adopters across the UK supply chain.
- Identify practical steps to integrate innovation into your own business.
- Connect with peers, experts and innovators shaping the future of the UK fashion and textile supply chain.
- Hear from experts at the forefront of textile innovation to understand what's coming next.
This event is made possible with the support of the Textile Livery Group.
Key themes: emerging sustainable materials, low-impact dyes, advanced manufacturing, recycling infrastructure.
The UKFT Sustainability Conference offers:
- Strategic insight into policy, innovation and industry trends
- Practical examples and case studies from UK and global leaders
- Opportunities to build partnerships and expand professional networks
- Access to solutions and frameworks relevant to sustainability planning
The event is designed for senior professionals, sustainability teams, compliance practitioners and innovation stakeholders committed to driving measurable progress.
Sessions include:
- Keynote and Outnote: From progress in practice to what comes next
- How do we action next-gen materials? Exploring the path from innovation to implementation
- Rethinking Colour and Finishing: Can innovation replace hazardous chemistry?
- In conversation with Recover & Primark: From waste to value
- From data to action: Rethinking circularity before end-of-life
- How innovation is transforming fibre traceability
- Commercial case studies
- Innovation spotlights
NEW FOR 2026: Bringing together a diverse group of companies developing new approaches to some of the textile and fashion industry’s most pressing challenges
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