. ispo.com : Outdoor and Sustainability at ISPO MUNICH 2016 - 13 January 2016 - 15:52
An outdoor jacket made of molasses, an athletic shoe made of plastic marine debris, or a cycling shoe made of eco-leather – manufacturers are bringing plenty of sustainable innovations to this year’s ISPO MUNICH. The outdoor industry will present its latest products at ISPO MUNICH from January 24 to 27, 2016 – in a new, attractive location in halls A1 through A3.
Sustainable apparel is becoming increasingly more popular. Demand for eco-friendly and socially sustainable apparel has been on the rise since 2000, increasing by five percent per year on average, according to the International Association of the National Textile Industry. In addition, fair manufacturing conditions in the textile industry are important to 86 percent of Germans, as shown by a poll performed by YouGov Institute on behalf of the dpa news agency.
The use of sustainable materials, resource-saving production and fair working conditions in the source countries – those are priorities for Vaude, a family business from Southern Germany. The outdoor manufacturer received the German Sustainability Award for its philosophy in late November 2015. This spring, “Vaude” introduces cycling and outdoor sports footwear made with eco-friendly leather by German manufacturer “Heinen”. The outdoor model features a 100% recyclable Sympatex membrane in combination with the leather. It is water-repellant and breathable.
German sporting goods manufacturer Adidas also proves that athletic footwear can be produced sustainably. A joint project with the New-York-based initiative “Parley for the Oceans” yielded a shoe made of recycled plastic marine debris.
The still rather young outdoor company Picture Organic Clothing has already received the ISPO AWARD in the ECO category several times. For the coming season the company presents a new generation of its award-winning ski helmet, made of a polymer sourced from corn plants as well as old automotive cockpits.
Molasses, a byproduct of sugar production, is in the spotlight at both “Bergans of Norway” and “Toray”. The uppermost layer of the “Eidfjord Jacket”, commercially available beginning summer of 2016, is made with 30 percent of the plant-based polyester, a sustainable source material. With the help of ISPO OPEN INNOVATION, an independent online platform offered by ISPO that connects companies with their customers, 30 consumers were able to exclusively pre-test the jacket. The feedback was very positive. The water- and windproof character of the material impressed the testers.
Outdoor companies increasingly focus on products that provide great performance yet are sustainable.
Sustainability will also be a topic at the events at ISPO MUNICH 2016. The European Outdoor Group’s round table will host a variety of platforms that will introduce their evaluation methods (January 26, 2016, 16:00-18:00; West Entrance B32 via hall B3).
Sustainability requires communication. But what is the type of communication required to really make an impact? Sustainability in Sales is the topic of a special round of discussions (January 26, 2016, 08:00-09:00, Restaurant Seeblick)
For more information on ISPO, please refer to www.ispo.com and www.facebook.com/ispomunich.
Press Release
ISPO
Munich, 13.01.2016