Seminars

Sustainable by Design: The Green Thread – Evolution of Hemp Fiber and Its Entry into High-Value Apparel and Home Textile

Speaker: Sharon Deidre Leyson (Dydy), Secretary-General, Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TiHTA), Secretary-General, Asia International Hemp Federation (AIHF)

This topic highlights the transformation of hemp fiber into a premium, eco-friendly material for modern fashion and home textiles. It explores key technological advancements, sustainability advantages, and industry milestones that enabled hemp to enter high-value markets. The session emphasizes hemp’s role in driving circular design, reducing environmental impact, and meeting global demand for responsible, innovative textile solutions.

Where Sustainability Meets Style: The GOTS Label – Assurance of Sustainability and Fairness in Textiles 

Speaker: Felicia Shi, Representative in APAC, Global Standard gGmbH

The presentation will begin with an overview of global textile trends and regional opportunities within Vietnam’s sustainability strategy. It will then introduce the technical foundations of GOTS, followed by an exploration of the key forces shaping the global regulatory landscape — from emerging regulatory pressures to evolving stakeholder expectations. The session will also highlight upcoming initiatives from Global Standards, including the new GRTS standard and the BehindTheSeams campaign.

The Future of Sustainable Supply Chains with OEKO-TEX® STeP

Speaker: Tuyen Pham, Country Manager, Hohenstein Laboratories Vietnam 

The future of sustainable supply chains relies on transparency, responsible manufacturing, and measurable impact. OEKO-TEX® STeP supports this shift by assessing facilities on environmental, chemical, and social performance while promoting continuous improvement. With its scoring system and integration with OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN traceability, OEKO-TEX® STeP provides brands and manufacturers a reliable path toward building more accountable, resilient, and future-ready supply chains.

CovationBio™ Sorona® — 25 Years of Sustainable Innovation for the Next Generation

Speaker: Kiki Chen, Global Apparel Marketing Communications Manager, CovationBio™Sorona® 

For over 25 years, Sorona’s bio-based textile innovation has been in the market, proving that high-performing, beautiful, and responsible materials can truly transform the textile industry. Through this work, Kiki shares how the textile industry is not only creating better fabrics but also inspired to see sustainability as a story we all can be part of.

Strengthening Traceability in Global Textile Supply Chains: Responding to Evolving Regulatory and Due Diligence Requirements

Speaker: Vinay Kumar, Senior Membership & Supply Chain Coordinator, Better Cotton Initiative

As global regulatory landscapes continue to evolve, apparel and fashion brands are under increasing pressure to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical compliance throughout their supply chains. This session will explore the growing momentum behind supply chain traceability in the apparel sector, focusing on how brands can respond proactively to emerging legislative requirements while ensuring that traceability delivers meaningful value at every level of the supply chain, including at the farm level.

Unlocking U.S. Hemp Textile Markets: Strategic Marketing & NIHC-Verified Hemp Fibre Assurance

Speaker: Patrick Atagi, President & CEO, The National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC)

This session explores emerging opportunities in the U.S. hemp textile market, highlighting strategic cross-country marketing approaches and the growing demand for transparent, reliable fibre quality. Participants will learn how NIHC’s verification system strengthens trust, standardizes industrial hemp fibre, and supports global suppliers in entering high-value U.S. textile supply chains.