Authentico® at Natural Fibre Connect Conference 2024

The 2024 edition of the Natural Fibre Connect (NFC) conference, held from September 16 to 20 in Biella, Italy, concluded with great success. This annual event, which included both a conference and mill visits, brought together stakeholders from across the natural fibre industry to discuss innovations, sustainability, and future strategies.

Key Highlights and Events

Gala Dinner at Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto ONLUS

The conference featured a memorable gala dinner at the Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto ONLUS. Attendees enjoyed a tour of the artist’s work, which emphasizes sustainability and is deeply connected to natural fibers.

Elena Schneider’s Introduction

Elena Schneider, a shareholder and board member of the Schneider Group, delivered an inspiring introduction. She emphasized the importance of pre-competitive cooperation among growers, brokers, clients and other industry stakeholders. She stated: “NFC 2024 edition marks a dream that comes true. When we launched our Group strategy the aim was exactly this: to promote a pre-competitive cooperation between growers, brokers, clients and all the relevant stakeholders of our industry. And here we are! Let’s give us a big applause because this is really a strong achievement. The idea is very simple: to work together for a future with more natural fibres, sharing ideas and strategies, connecting all the stakeholders and promoting best practices.”

Exchange Between Gunter Pauli and Baptiste Carrière-Pradal

One of the most engaging moments of the conference was the exchange between Gunter Pauli, an entrepreneur and author known for his work on the Blue Economy, and Baptiste Carrière-Pradal, a sustainability expert from 2BPolicy. Pauli’s keynote focused on innovative approaches to sustainability, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in the industry. Carrière-Pradal followed with a discussion on the Product Environmental Footprint, highlighting the importance of measuring and mitigating the environmental impacts of natural fibres. Their dialogue underscored the critical need for collaboration and innovation to drive the industry towards a more sustainable future.

Mill Visits in Biella

A significant part of the NFC program was the visits to key mills in Biella. The tour began at Pettinatura di Verrone, one of the three Schneider Group plants processing Authentico® wool. Over 30 attendees witnessed the high quality and passionate work at the mill, with growers expressing pride in seeing their products as integral parts of the process. Other mills visited included Reda, Ermenegildo Zegna, Piacenza, Cerruti, Maglificio Maggia, Zegna Baruffa and Guabello.

Schneider Group Highlights

The Schneider Group, a family-owned company supplying animal fibre tops, showcased its global network and commitment to quality. The event provided an excellent opportunity for staff from various continents to share experiences and engage with NFC stakeholders.

The Authentico team got the chance to give important updates related to the year after NFC 2023, when the worldwide Authentico by Schneider Group team first introduced  it  to the audience.

The growing Authentico family with growers from Argentinian and U.S.A., the exhibition at Pitti Filati, the launch of the first Authentico partner at Milano Unica, the attention to regenerative agriculture and new certifications at Schneider’s plants processing Authentico wool are just some of them.

Progress Since NFC 2023

Since the previous year’s conference, the Schneider Group has made notable advancements:

• Argentinian growers have joined the Authentico® family, with the US and South Africa following soon.
• The first Authentico® partnership was launched at Milano Unica with the Marzotto Group.
• There has been a strong focus on regenerative agriculture.
• New certifications have been obtained for Schneider’s plants processing Authentico® wool.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The 2024 Natural Fibre Connect conference successfully fostered collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for a sustainable future in the natural fibre industry. The stage is now set for the 2025 Natural Fibre Connect conference, which will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, during the month of October.

This upcoming event promises to build on the successes of 2024, offering even more opportunities for industry leaders, potential customers, and collaborators to connect and innovate in the historic and vibrant setting of Edinburgh.