SCANDINAVIA
The Swedish Textile Service Association will hold its Autumn Meeting on 13 November at Elite Hotel Ideon in Lund, with a gathering of around 150 delegates from across the industry. Alongside the conference, a trade exhibition with approximately 40 exhibitors will showcase the latest products, technologies and innovations in textile services. Lund is a city with the greenest of green credentials so delegates can look forward to hearing about some groundbreaking strategies and, of course, the subject of the moment, AI, is also on the agenda.
A city leading in climate transition
The conference will open with Lina Olsson, member of Lund’s municipal executive board and chair of its employer committee and waste management board. She will present Lund’s climate ambitions and development strategies. As Sweden’s oldest city and the country’s 12th largest municipality, Lund is known for its prestigious university and impressive cathedral. Selected by the European Commission as one of 100 cities leading Europe’s climate transition, Lund aims to become climate-neutral by 2030. The city also distinguishes itself with record-low levels of social assistance and a thriving business environment.
Historical perspectives and cultural heritage
Professor Dick Harrison from Lund University, a leading historian specializing in the Middle Ages and European history, will deliver a lecture on ‘The History of Skåne (Scania) as a Kingdom’. Harrison is a prolific author of more than 40 books, an August Prize winner, and a well-known voice in Swedish media.
Sustainability and responsibility in textile services
Sustainability will be a key theme throughout the conference.
- Anders Eikemo Thorgaard, entrepreneur and owner of Textilia, will discuss ‘The Textile Service Industry’s Responsibility for Textile Waste’, highlighting challenges and opportunities for reducing textile waste in the sector.
- Ann-Sofie Hviid, CEO and founder of hviid.nu, will present ‘How Far We Have Come with the Green Transition’, exploring the current state of circular textile production, barriers to progress, and how policies like producer responsibility and the EU Ecodesign Regulation can drive change.
Certification, innovation and circularity
Karin Lindmark, market development manager Nordics at TESTEX, will share insights on advancing sustainability, transparency, and safety in the textile and leather value chain. TESTEX, a Swiss testing and certification institute with over 175 years of experience, offers all OEKO-TEX® standards as well as tools like TESTEX CIRCULARITY and TESTEX MICROPLASTICS, supporting companies in measuring and communicating sustainability performance.
Energy transition and business opportunities
Sebastian Granqvist and Henry Eskola from Scandbio AB will discuss ‘Switching to Pellets – For the Climate and the Business’, showing how transitioning to 100% renewable and fossil-free energy can significantly reduce carbon footprints while strengthening business performance.
Automation and the future of textile care
Finally, Max Ziermann, Sales Manager at Sankosha Europe by Ziermann, will explore the future of textile care, focusing on automation, modern machinery, and international market trends. With deep expertise from leading companies like Böwe and Sankosha, Ziermann actively contributes to shaping the future of textile care across Europe and North Africa.
The 2025 Autumn Meeting in Lund promises to be a dynamic event, combining historical context, innovative solutions, and sustainability-driven strategies. With top-level speakers, industry-leading exhibitors, and a strong focus on climate responsibility and circular economy, the event will be a key platform for shaping the future of the Swedish and European textile service industry.
