The half-day forum is designed to help textile and garment manufacturers, particularly from South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East, navigate the European Union’s evolving sustainability regulations, and access to green financing opportunities to support their transition. Held alongside ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025, the forum brings together EU policymakers, financial institutions, and industry leaders to facilitate cross-border dialogue and knowledge exchange.

EU’s circular textile strategy in focus

A key highlight of the forum will be the keynote presentation by Ms Kristin Schreiber, Director, European Commission DG Grow. She will provide a comprehensive overview of the EU’s sustainability roadmap and upcoming regulations driving the shift towards circular textile production. Under the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, by 2030, all textiles placed on the EU market must be durable, recyclable, largely made from recycled fibres and free from hazardous substances. Manufacturers worldwide must act now to meet these requirements and remain competitive.

Programme highlights

• Shaping sustainability: responding to EU policy changes

Moderator: Ms Nicole van der Elst Desai, Founder, VDE Consultancy

Speaker: Mr Robert van de Kerkhof, CEO, ReHubs

• Profit meets purpose: financing sustainability

Moderator: Mr Brandon Courban, Senior Advisor (Climate), Openspace Ventures

Speakers: Dr Rene Van Berkel, Senior Circular Economy Expert, Switch Asia, EU Policy Support Component, Ms Iris Ng, Head, Emerging Business & Global Commercial Banking, OCBC Bank, Mr Michael Rattinger, Senior Climate Change Specialist, Asian Development Bank

To register, please visit www.itmaasiasingapore.com.