Equity in Innovation: How do we balance the scales with the value chain?

The climate crisis demands bold, transformative solutions. While a wave of innovative fibres, dyes, and processes is emerging in response, scaling these beyond the pilot stage remains challenging – hindered by misaligned expectations, price premiums, and significant knowledge gaps across the value chain.

With the supply chain central to the viability and commercialisation of any new solution, we’re bringing together stakeholders from across the apparel sector to navigate systemic power dynamics and unlock opportunities for a just and inclusive transition to climate solutions.

Join us for this interactive event as we consider how the industry can balance the scales of innovation.

Through a series of facilitated roundtable conversations, held under Chatham house rules, we’ll be exploring the following topics:

• Innovation start-ups are industry outsiders. How do we break down sector silos to align expectations, drive greater understanding and foster deeper, earlier collaboration across the product innovation pipeline?

• From capsule to core. What enablers are needed for long-term strategic brand - supplier partnerships that go beyond pilot programmes?
• Rebuilding brand knowledge. Technical knowledge has been increasingly outsourced to the supply chain. How can brands rebuild the expertise needed to engage suppliers as equal partners in innovation and change?
• The costs to test, transform and validate concepts in the supply chain are high. What do equitable partnerships between brands and the value chain look like to Suppliers?
• Well-designed regulation considers the supply chain. How can policy makers include supplier voice in the design of effective regulation to stimulate and scale product innovation?

WHEN:

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025; 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM (Registration open from 9am)

AGENDA:

• 09.00 AM: Doors open, registration & coffee
• 09.30 AM: Introduction and presentation of roundtable topics
• 10.15 AM: Roundtables - 3 rounds of discussion so everyone has a chance to join different conversations
• 12.15 PM: Summary presentation and conclusion
• 12.45 PM: Lunch buffet
• 13.30 PM: Event concludes

SPEAKERS:

Meet the Speakers: 

Tuncay Kilickan: Head of Global Business Development for Denim at Lenzing

Saqib Shahzad: Head of Sustainability at Sapphire Diamond Fabrics Limited, Pakistan

Hester Janssens: Stakeholder & Engagements Lead at Fair Wear Foundation

Sofia Menfalout: Equitable sourcing expert at Fair Wear Foundation

Carla Chidichimo, Founder, Materia - Sustainable Textile Innovation Agency

Romain Narcy, Founder, Rematters, Board Member, Denim Deal International Foundation

More speakers to be announced, stay tuned!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

We encourage attendees from all tiers of the supply chain, global brands and retailers, innovation start-ups, sustainability professionals working for NGOs and multistakeholder organisations, policymakers and students.

FREE TO ATTEND:

This event is free to attend but places are limited.

WHERE:

De Hallen Studios, Hannie Dankbaarpassage 18, 1053 RT Amsterdam, Netherlands

HOW TO GET TO ‘’DE HALLEN’’:

Address to navigate: Hannie Dankbaarpassage 47, Amsterdam

By Car: Nearest parking: Q-Park De Hallen

By Public Transport: Tram 7 or 17 to Ten Katestraat (2-min walk)

By Foot/Bike: Entrance via Hannie Dankbaarpassage