💡Very insightful and transparent interview-based report highlighting challenges and opportunities with next gen materials.
Here are a few thoughts that came to mind after browsing through the report:
™️ Brands: the origin/HQ of the responding brands was not disclosed, but my guess is that the vast majority is European/North American. While these brands are good vehicles for innovative materials, we have to understand that they are mostly operating in markets, in which total fiber consumption stagnates or even declines. Every innovator should have a plan for (end) consumption outside of the Western world.
🔧Suppliers: represent only 19% of respondents, which is a pity since it is this group who will make or break innovative materials. Getting them on the table is difficult, this is also disclosed in the report. More than half of respondents are either innovators or support organizations, who almost have to have an overly positive attitude (their livelihoods depends on it). This needs to be considered when reading the report.
🍭Consumers: many still believe that consumers are looking for more sustainable products, apparently also some respondents. There are such consumers, but this is only a very small, "elite" group. For the vast majority, other factors (price, fit, style, you name it) are much, much more important. This "sustainability-minded" group is too small, and too European/North American to be considered the main target group for innovators.
💲Price: I had to smile when I read that higher price points of next gen materials are the main challenge for every stakeholder group but one: Brands. For them, performance is the main issue. This must be due to the fact that many respondents were from luxury/premium/performance segments
🌍 Climate goals: While next gen materials should have a lower footprint than conventional ones and therefore should help brands reach their climate goals, this is by no means guaranteed. There will be many "conventional" materials with lower footprints than some next gen materials. Moreover, 65% of "innovator" respondents are from alternative fibers and materials, while only 18% are from dyeing and finishing, where typically the largest footprint is.
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We are proud to support Sustainabelle Advisory Services and Christine Goulay with the official publication of their new report, "Next Gen to This Gen: Scaling Material Innovations in the Fashion Sector", supported by Kering and Laudes Foundation and knowledge partners, Fashion for Good and Biofabricate.
The new report is based on a survey of 157 stakeholders and 62 expert interviews to capture comprehensive insights on the Next Gen material innovation landscape today, including diverse perspectives from innovators, brands, suppliers, investors, and support organisations.
As the fashion industry stands at a crossroads, "Next Gen to This Gen: Scaling Material Innovations in the Fashion Sector" serves as a crucial guide for stakeholders committed to driving innovation uptake.
Through the study, it is clear that the movement to Next Gen materials is a certainty. Why is Next Gen the next frontier?
1️⃣ Key drivers, including regulatory pressures, risks to traditional supply chain, consumer demand and ambitious impact targets, are propelling brands to embrace these materials with more urgency.
2️⃣ Lessons from climate tech sectors like solar and electric vehicles suggest a similar growth trajectory for Next Gen materials for fashion and show us the way to move forward.
3️⃣ Through coordinated action and leveraging the appropriate mechanisms, the fashion industry can effectively realise Next Gen material innovation today.
Download the report at the link below or visit https://lnkd.in/gKKJhiqi
https://lnkd.in/gyg-khEe
#nextgen #materialinnovation #sustainableinnovation #sustainablefashion #sustainability #sustainabletech #futuretech #report #circularity
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No words can substitute your actions.
4wI’m looking forward to discussing and being part of it!