GURUGRAM (ivs) How can economic success be linked with product responsibility and more sustainability? More than 300 players and Hohenstein customers in the Indian textile industry accepted Hohenstein India's invitation to attend the Global Sustainability Conference in Gurugram, India, on November 10, 2022, and to obtain possible solutions to this question. The following day, numerous invited guests gathered at the Hohenstein laboratory site in Gurugram for the ceremonial inauguration of a new leather & footwear laboratory, the first of its kind in the global Hohenstein Competence Network. 

True to the motto Local by Global, the agenda of the Global Sustainability Conference was perfectly tailored to the needs of the Indian textile industry. "This event is a great opportunity for the Indian textile industry to benefit from the global expertise of Hohenstein, OEKO-TEX® and Industry experts (from Landmark Group , Colourtex Industries , Shahi Exports, Resil Chemicals and German Environment agency) to optimize their products and processes, and ultimately achieve their sustainability goals in global competition," said a delighted host Vinod Kumar, Managing Director of Hohenstein India & SL. Prof. Dr. Stefan Mecheels, CEO and owner of the testing service provider Hohenstein, welcomed the participants in his opening speech and referred to upheavals: "Times are changing rapidly in the global textile industry - sustainable products and processes are the order of the day. I'm sure you can take away a few things today that will support them in their efforts to become more sustainable." The event focused on the modular OEKO-TEX® system, which provides solutions for the practical implementation of all aspects of sustainable business, presented by Hohenstein experts and specialists from the OEKO-TEX® Association.

With the ceremonial opening by Prof. Dr. Mecheels, Dr. Christof Madinger, COO Hohenstein HTTI and Dr. Helmut Krause, Hohenstein Technical Director Softlines & Shoes, the starting signal was given for the new leather & footwear laboratory at the laboratory site in Gurugram on November 11, 2022. During tours, visitors were able to get a personal impression of the future focus of work on site: testing for harmful substances in accordance with the LEATHER STANDARD RSL and the subsequent certification of leather and footwear products in accordance with the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD will in future ensure a lower market risk for brands, retailers and suppliers and comprehensive and reliable safety for consumers.