Sustainability Webinars

Driving Economic Growth with Bio-based Solutions

The shift toward a circular, resource-efficient economy represents one of the greatest industrial and economic opportunities of our time. As industry works to reduce reliance on fossil carbon, cut waste, curb plastic pollution, and build more resilient supply chains, bio-based innovation is emerging as a transformative pathway to achieving net zero while protecting our natural environment.

This webinar will explore how government, industry, and the research community can work together to ensure regulation keeps pace with innovation. Participants will gain insights into how to strengthen modern industrial bases, accelerate the transition to a low-carbon circular economy, and harness biology to drive economic impact for people and planet.

Soles4Souls - Creating opportunity for people through shoes and clothing

Responsibly disposing of footwear is one of the biggest challenges facing the industry – whether it be gently used or new shoes. Incoming European Union regulations mandating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Schemes for footwear (and clothing), as well as banning the destruction of unsold products, means this is a challenge that can no longer be ignored.

In this webinar, SATRA is joined by Masja van de Pavoordt-Elshout and Alexandre Gilbert of Soles4Souls, a global nonprofit, who will explain how their programmes can turn new and gently used footwear to support people in crisis or need, and create business opportunities in low-income countries, all whilst helping the planet.

Confused about carbon?

For organisations looking to understand, measure and ultimately reduce their environmental impacts, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to navigate through the various different standards and schemes that can be used. In this webinar, SATRA introduces the concept of organisational carbon footprints, product carbon footprints, and lifecycle assessments. Suggestions are made as to how both organisational and product impacts can be reduced.

Next-Gen materials: navigating the path to adoption at scale

Biomaterials aren't just the future, they are setting a new standard for sustainable consumer goods today. The footwear industry is pushing the boundaries of product design with plastic-free materials. Earthshot Prize finalist Natural Fiber Welding's Alan Lugo and Stephen Taylor share insights from collaborating with trail-blazing brands and the non-traditional tests performed to support the adoption of NFW's next-gen biomaterials.

Digital product passports

Digital product passports (DPPs) are being introduced across the EU to improve sustainability and circularity. They capture data about the environmental impact of products, their composition and recyclability, their production, as well as supply chain information.

It is expected that footwear, apparel, furniture, bedding, textiles and floor coverings will all be required to have DPPs by 2030. Sohag and Joanna from DigiProd Pass discuss how DPPs will work, the type of information that is likely to be required and demonstrate a DPP solution.

EU Deforestation Regulation update October 2024

In this webinar, SATRA is joined by Kerry Senior, director of Leather UK, with recent updates regarding the legislation, what its impact is likely to be, what companies need to do to ensure they are compliant, and also consider likely future developments to the legislation.

The circular economy

Professor Christine White of DMU introduces the concept of the circular economy, and discusses how organisations can use the model to build more sustainable products.

EU Deforestation Regulation and its implications for the footwear and leather industries

From 30th December 2024, companies placing goods onto the European market will have to comply with the new EUDR regulation. The regulation covers seven commodities (cattle, cocoa, palm oil, rubber, soya and wood) as well as many products derived from those commodities including leather, natural rubber products, and pulp & paper. In this webinar, SATRA is joined by Kerry Senior, director of Leather UK, who discusses the details of the legislation in more detail, what its impact is likely to be, what companies need to do to ensure they are compliant, and also consider likely future developments to the legislation.

What is carbon?

We hear about carbon all the time in relation to climate change. This webinar will explain what carbon actually is, how it affects our climate, why it's important to identify the origin of carbon in materials and testing that can be carried out to identify its origin.

Recycling technology for footwear

We are joined by speakers from ReNew Shoe Ltd and Fast Feet Grinded who will explain the process of separating shoes into their constituent parts for recycling or repurposing.