PCIAW® will be hosting the first of the Textiles for Defence Round Tables Series in partnership with our Trusted Member, Uplift360 on Thursday 14th April at 2:30pm – 4:30pm via Zoom.
The Round Tables Series is an exclusive opportunity for PCIAW® Trusted Members who supply into the defence sector or who are innovating with sustainable solutions adaptable for driving the circular economy for the future of defence textiles. For any PCIAW® Trusted Members who wish to participate, please get in touch to register your interest or speak to the team to join the professional clothing association at info@pciaw.org.
Overview of the Textiles for Defence Round Table Series
The Textiles for Defence Round Table Series will explore the challenges and opportunities in the circular economy for textiles and advanced materials in the defence sector. As the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) recognises climate change as the number one threat, the Round Table Series will help identify solutions and strategies to implement the circular economy for defence textiles.
The objective is to identify solutions implementable in the short term for future tenders and to highlight strategies that show potential to support pilots. Finally, the discussion seeks to shine a spotlight on high impact ‘black holes’ to accelerate R&D to provide new technologies to overcome obstacles to the circular system. The Round Table Series will help chart the direction of future defence tenders and create an aligned sustainability strategy moving forwards for international players in the defence textiles markets.
Event Partner: PCIAW® Trusted Member, Uplift360
PCIAW® Trusted Member, Uplift360 is an innovation start-up comprising military spouses, veterans and militarily-linked individuals working with stakeholders from the MoD and defence sector to R&D new advanced materials compatible with the circular economy. Seeking to create value out of waste, Uplift360 is a sustainability and circular textiles consultant seeking to innovate, pilot and commercialise.
Format of the Round Table
- 2:30pm – 2:35pm: Introducing the Textiles for Defence: Round Table #1
- 2:35pm – 2:40pm: Defining the circular economy and the value of waste
- 2:40pm – 2:50pm: Providing insights into MoD stakeholders, stats, social value increase
- 2:50pm – 3:05pm: Discussion of the MoD insights and practicalities
- 3:05pm – 3:35pm: Member’s presentations of defence portfolio and sustainability
- 3:35pm – 3:45pm: Opportunities for PCIAW® members in showcasing solutions
- 3:45pm – 4:10pm: Discussing challenges in the circular economy in defence textiles
- 4:10pm – 4:20pm: Understanding the appetite for collaboration on shared problems
- 4:20pm – 4:25pm: Considering the relevance of a green charter like the military covenant
- 4:25pm – 4:30pm: The next steps
Agenda
2:30pm – 2:35pm: Introducing the Textiles for Defence: Round Table #1
Welcoming the audience to the Textiles for Defence Round Table #1 and its purpose. Introducing Uplift360 and the fellow PCIAW® Trusted Members attending the discussion on the circular economy for defence textiles.
2:35pm – 2:40pm: Defining the circular economy and the value of waste
Speaking on the circular economy and the different aspects which comprise the system of keeping materials in use for as long as possible, whilst designing for the end in mind. Explaining the benefits to the textiles industry from the circular economy and how to create value out of waste.
2:40pm – 2:50pm: Corporate social value weighting and what it means for defence suppliers
Uplift360 shares insights into the current considerations and atmospherics regarding CSR requirements within defence tenders. Exploring how weighting to different factors including social values and embedding circularity is expected to change.
2:50pm – 3:05pm: Discussion of the MoD insights and practicalities
Opening the floor to participants of the round table to discuss, challenge and explore the impact changes in defence tender scoring may have on professional clothing supply chains, manufacturing and the tender process.
3:05pm – 3:35pm: PCIAW® member’s presentations of defence portfolio and sustainability
Participants briefly present their portfolio of products in the defence sector, alongside a summary of sustainability initiatives currently underway or planned. These sustainability strategies do not currently need to be implemented in defence textiles currently, as candidates for pilots in the short to medium term.
3:35pm – 3:45pm: Highlighting opportunities for PCIAW® members in showcasing solutions
Sharing insight on understanding how single services and broader defence are seeking to encourage innovations in textiles. Uplift360 will shed light on the trends in thinking and operating, providing unique opportunities for showcasing fabric, garment, and production technologies.
3:45pm – 4:10pm: Discussing challenges in the circular economy in textiles and defence textiles
Manufacturing textiles, garments and equipment for the defence sector is highly regulated and thus includes more difficult challenges in achieving sustainable production. PCIAW® members discuss the challenges in producing circular textiles and how these are different or amplified when designing for the defence market. Together, recommend solutions for prioritisation so that suppliers can align their focus.
4:10pm – 4:20pm: Understanding the appetite for collaboration on solutions to shared problems
Cost is often a barrier to change. PCIAW® and Uplift 360 seek to understand the level of willingness for defence textiles suppliers to collaborate to overcome shared challenges to the circular economy and to glean which areas could benefit the most through partnerships to achieve economies of scale.
4:20pm – 4:25pm: Considering the relevance of a green charter like the military covenant
Uplift360 explores the possibility of a Green Charter in which defence textiles suppliers sign up to show commitment and intent. Objectives would be aspirational rather than contractual, providing standardisation on sustainability and CSR.
4:25pm – 4:30pm: The next steps
Following the interactive discussion on the challenges and opportunities of circular textiles for the defence sector with suggested strategies and solutions to prioritise, Uplift360 will explain the next steps for Round Table #2 and Round Table #3.
