SWEDEN
Record participation and a strong focus on sustainability matters marked the Tvätteriförbundet autumn meeting in November. The Swedish Textile Service Association (TSA) wrapped up the meeting in Lund, having set a new benchmark for the industry.
A total of 205 attendees, 42 exhibitors, plus 150 guests at the dinner, created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the event, reflecting the sector’s growing momentum and shared commitment to innovation. The association’s 85th anniversary was also celebrated.
Keynote spotlight
Transforming Waste Into Value
A much-anticipated highlight was the keynote speech delivered by Anders Thorgaard, chairman of the Textilia Group companies. Thorgaard presented the remarkable achievements of Upcy ApS, whose large-scale upcycling initiatives turned 640 tonnes of discarded textiles into 2,856,172 new products during 2024. The scale of this transformation underscores the company’s pioneering role in circular textile solutions. Thorgaard, who received the Tvätteriförbundet Sustainability Prize in 2023, emphasised the urgency of rethinking textile waste strategies across the entire value chain.
Lund: A city aligned with the future
The conference opened with an address from Lina Olsson of Lund’s municipal executive board. She outlined the city’s long-term climate goals and development plans. Lund, internationally recognised as one of Europe’s 100 leading climate-transition cities, aims to reach climate neutrality by 2030. Its combination of academic history, strong business climate, and progressive environmental policies made it a fitting host for this year’s meeting.
Delegates were also treated to a cultural deep dive as historian Professor Dick Harrison explored the early history of Skåne. His lecture provided valuable context to the region’s political and cultural evolution, enriching the conference with a historical dimension seldom highlighted in industry gatherings.
Sustainability, circularity and certification
Environmental responsibility ran through the entire programme:
Ann-Sofie Hviid, founder of hviid.nu, updated participants on progress within the green transition and the regulatory measures driving circular textile practices.
Karin Lindmark from TESTEX offered insights into certification schemes and tools that help companies track and communicate sustainability performance with greater accuracy.
PDNA Champions Supply Chain Transparency:
Robin Cornelius and Thibaut Poncin shared how PDNA (Product DNA) is redefining supply chain transparency. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Lausanne, PDNA equips companies with tools to transform raw data into clear communication, regulatory compliance, and strategic advantage. Their solutions span industries such as construction, consumer goods, and textiles.
Cornelius and Poncin emphasised PDNA’s integrated approach: the traceability software Respect SaaS, the communication platform Respect Code, and expert consultancy that shapes the scope and direction of each project. With offices and active operations across the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Germany, PDNA combines global reach with hands-on local support—living up to its founding principle: “The consumer has the right to know.”
Through their presentation, the speakers illustrated how PDNA empowers organisations to build trust, ensure accountability, and turn transparency into a strategic business advantage.
Energy, Technology, and Tomorrow’s Textile Care
The day also showcased trends influencing both operations and strategic planning:
Henry Eskola of Scandbio AB illustrated the environmental and economic benefits of converting to fully renewable pellet-based energy.
Max Ziermann from Sankosha Europe presented technological developments in automated textile care, highlighting new machinery, efficiency gains, and international market signals.
