For more than 40 years we have known where our way of life is leading us. What have we done in all that time? The shameful answer: nothing! Now that the impacts are approaching in the form of catastrophes and climate change is becoming tangible for everyone, we are slowly getting an inkling of how radical the change will be for all of us. The challenges for which solutions have to be found are gigantic. That can be frightening. But fear has always been a bad advisor. It paralyses and prevents us from seeing the huge opportunities that arise from transformation. The existing systems are changing socially, politically and economically towards green and social ones. The transformation is gaining momentum. And that is a good thing. Because we can all only gain. The speaker makes a plea for transformation and takes you on a hopeful journey to a world worth living in tomorrow.
Bianca Seidel, Bianca Seidel Consulting

With over 20 years of experience in digital textile printing through its subsidiary Epson Como s.r.l, and through development in both sublimation and direct to garment printing in the last decade, Epson’s inkjet technology has been at the forefront of the digital printing transformation in the textile market. This presentation will provide an update regarding Epson’s latest Precision Core printhead technology, as well as explaining the benefits already seen from a sustainability viewpoint, whether in terms of the environment around Como, or in terms of the enabling role Epson technology plays for the current reshoring trend. In conjunction with Epson’s wider business philosophy, we will also make some assessment as to how other technologies may be brought into use to improve sustainability in textile printing in the near future.
Duncan Ferguson, Epson

Digital inkjet printing with pigments have not been as widely adopted as one would hope. The industry is still hesitant to the implementation of pigments based on performance misconceptions, despite the undeniable environmental resource savings achieved. Making sustainable choices is no longer an option – it is a must. Together we will explore the advantages and change-making impact of digital printing with pigments. We will highlight environmental, economic and performance benefits, discuss road-blocks, and take a closer look at how PERACTO pigment ink technology simplifies the production process by enabling the elimination of pre- and post-treatment process steps – saving impactful amounts of water, energy and cost. This presentation is intended to create awareness and put forth the exciting capabilities that pigment unlocks for the textile coloration industry. Let’s Do More with Less – Together.
Theresa Schmaus, Etienne Steveninck, Farbenpunkt

The textile industry has been pressured to reform and consider the use of chemicals and resources such as water and energy for a number of years with many leading brands introducing sustainability commitments and standards to reduce the overall impact of textile decoration on the environment. This coincides with a clear change in attitude from consumers who are making more environmentally conscious decisions about how and what they buy. This leaves the brands and their downward supply chain with challenges in how they manage material, chemistry and technology inputs to meet the demands of the market. This talk will look at the industry trends, the impact they have on printers, the challenges of sustainability and how digital printing is placed to meet them.
Dr Simon Daplyn, Sun Chemical

The European textile and clothing industry is very diverse and heterogenous. It covers numerous activities and plays a major role in the European manufacturing industry. The sector stands out on the global market for its quality and innovations in both fashion products and smart and technical textiles. One important aspect to maintain this innovation drive, and at the same time tackle the sustainability problems of the sector, is the digitization of the design and production processes. Furthermore, the COVID 19 pandemic has stressed the need for virtual counterparts. Therefore, the demand for highly qualified and skilled personnel is increasing. They are the key to competitiveness and growth in the sector. However, digitization and sustainability not only challenge the industry, but also education. A healthy Nexus between research and education is the key to training future-oriented professionals.
Alexandra De Raeve, HoGent

Digital printing technologies are a cornerstone of digital textile microfactories. Such microfactories offer a wide range of use cases and possibilities for resource efficiency and sustainability. The presentation will thus focus on the following aspects:

1. Material flow and cost accounting (MFCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) offer are suitable methods to model, analyse and evaluate processes. In terms of resource efficiency and sustainability
2. Digital textile microfactories are a platform for digitally consistent processes. This modular concept can be realised by suitable workflows, process integration and according business models.
3. The benefits of such concepts comprise the design and production of individual products for better fit and acceptance. The regional production produces less waste and requires less transport.
4. A technical analysis of different printing setups in terms of inks and fabrics is necessary so select the best combination for the use case at hand. With a multi-criteria analysis: Ecological and economic criteria can be weighted and combined for best results.

Dr Thomas V. Fischer, DITF Denkendorf