Recycling will be the focus topic at the upcoming edition of Performance Days which runs April 21-22 in Munich under the theme of ‘Recycled? Challenges & Opportunities!’.

“In addition to diverse presentations and workshops, this important topic will be taken up not only at the Performance Gate, but also the Jury's Pick Table in the Performance Forum,” a press release stated.

According to the organisers, the five exhibit halls are already sold and will host 134 exhibitors from 24 nations.

Topics to be addressed include; how does recycling even work; what are the options for saving raw materials and avoiding waste; and what are the benefits of recycling and is there a downside?.

Other topics like what does the ecological balance sheet for recycled fabrics look like and are there any certificates that assure clean recycling too will be presented.

“Using a variety of integrated tools, the trade fair shines light on this hot topic from all angles,” the organisers added in the press release.

At the Performance Forum, the Jury's Pick Table will highlight the most important new fabrics and insulations made of recycled materials for use in sports, sportswear, and workwear collections.

While, the Performance Gate provides background information about the recycling methods and explains, what to look for in the choice of recycled fabrics.

Consultant Anne Pahl will present several ways to use waste, or recyclable materials, but goes a step further in proposing that clothing designers should already be thinking about avoiding waste and saving resources.

The importance of this idea will also be emphasised in a presentation by Lars Gutow, a marine biologist who has researched the pollution of the world's oceans by plastic waste and its impact on the eco-system.

Ian Rosenberger will show meaningful ways to reuse this plastic trash and in the process how to contribute to fighting poverty.

Through his ‘Thread’ initiative, plastic trash in Central America is collected for recycling to the North American textile industry, which apart from slowing pollution, also helps the poor to secure an income.

In addition to this fair’s focus on recycling and the usual professional and free presentations, the show features a new form of seminar for visitors and exhibitors for the first time; exclusive workshops.

According to the organisers, they are scheduled on both days of the fair and are situated one floor above the exhibit area.

Issues and solutions will be discussed in depth in a small group environment, and in addition to the topic of recycling, recoverability and reuse of textiles too will be investigated in depth on both days.

Two of the workshops are moderated by top experts in the area of recycling and sustainability like Anna Rodewald from GreenRoomVoice and Benjamin Marias from the consulting firm AIR.