Latest news with #ESPR
Fibre2Fashion
09-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Matthew Ekholm DPP and Circularity Specialist
Protokol's DPP solution enables companies to align with upcoming DPP mandates As the European Union moves closer to implementing the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), businesses across industries are under mounting pressure to future-proof their operations and comply with forthcoming sustainability mandates. A key requirement—the Digital Product Passport (DPP)—is set to revolutionise how product data is managed, accessed, and shared across the value chain. In response, Protokol has partnered with Productsup to deliver a seamless solution that enables manufacturers to transform existing product data into fully compliant DPPs both efficiently and cost-effectively. To gain deeper insights into this timely partnership and its implications for the textile and apparel sector, Fibre2Fashion spoke with Protokol's DPP and Circularity Specialist, Matthew Ekholm. In this exclusive interview, he discusses the critical challenges brands are facing, how the new integration streamlines DPP creation, and why early adoption could give companies a competitive edge in the circular economy era. Protokol offers Digital Product Passport solutions tailored to manufacturing. In sectors like textiles, what specific pain points is Protokol solving most frequently today? Protokol's Digital Product Passport (DPP) solutions are allowing fashion and textile enterprises to align with and prepare for compliance with the EU's upcoming DPP mandate—a pillar of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The legislation, which entered into force last year and is set to impact any company placing products in the EU marketplace within the mandated product groups, stands as a key tool in advancing circularity in the EU. In regard to pain points, many companies are both unaware and unfamiliar with the upcoming circularity regulations. Our DPP consultancy services help companies understand the requirements, while our DPP Solution offers a tool for companies to create DPPs for their products in preparation for the upcoming DPP mandate. Another pain point many in the fashion sector face is the frequent challenge of data management—from product data and sustainability metrics to environmental impact information and more. This data is often generated by various actors across the value chain and is typically stored in disparate or siloed systems. For companies looking to comply with DPP regulations, collecting and organising this data can be a big challenge. That is why we are pleased to announce the news of our partnership with Productsup. As an overview, our recent partnership with Productsup, the feed product data management and syndication platform, allows companies to collate their product data, pulling in data from a variety of different sources. They can then quickly and easily map this data against DPP templates to ensure that the required data is both present and displayed in a valid format. DPPs can then quickly and easily be created from this mapped data—solving the challenges related to collecting and organising data from disparate sources. How does Protokol ensure interoperability between its Digital Product Passport systems and legacy manufacturing systems that are still widely in use? With our API-enabled DPP solution, customers can import product data directly from external sources (legacy systems) to populate their DPPs. Ultimately, this means that the DPP solution will work in tandem with legacy systems, rather than simply replacing them. The benefits of this are that product data can remain in existing systems and be utilised for DPPs; ERP and SCM systems may also be able to support this data-gathering process. As our API-enabled DPP solution continues to gain traction, there is no need for the replacement of legacy systems, and the time or resources required for implementation are lowered. When it comes to our integration with Productsup more specifically, customers can not only import product data from single sources, but also instead import, merge, and map data fields from existing product data against required data fields for the DPP. In practice this means that data can be gathered from not just a single source, but a multitude of legacy systems across the supply chain. This has distinct advantages for organisations where the product data they may be required to include in their Digital Product Passports is collected and stored by suppliers, manufacturers, partners or external systems. How does your partnership with Productsup position Protokol to support brands in meeting broader sustainability reporting directives like the CSRD? The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) aims to make businesses more accountable for the sustainability of their operations and supply chains by enhancing transparency. While the deadline has faced delays—likely into late 2025—certain businesses operating within the EU will soon need to report their sustainability and social data in line with the European Sustainability Reporting Standard (ESRS), which includes greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and even working conditions. Instead of seeking to 'plug' these gaps manually, DPPs can be used to support fashion brands in meeting this regulatory demand. When furnishing DPPs, typically the data collected comes from the broader supply chain (e.g. suppliers, external manufacturers), in addition to the company itself. This makes the inclusion of Scope 3 data and many other environmental impact data points much easier. With data needing to be verifiable and transparent for the ESPR, this has the potential to also be utilised to meet many of the CSRD reporting requirements (such as the Scope 3 data reporting requirement) by providing a verifiable audit trail necessary for CSRD compliance. Therefore, as DPPs can be utilised to support both CSRD and ESPR compliance, businesses will need to collect and standardise detailed product data, such as material composition, repair guidelines, and certifications, in secure, machine-readable formats accessible to stakeholders across the supply chain. Our integration with Productsup will help fashion brands seamlessly collect and organise data, embed it into DPPs efficiently, and ensure comprehensive compliance with multiple circularity requirements. Can you walk us through a recent implementation of Protokol's technology in a textile or apparel manufacturing firm and the measurable impact it had? While not yet announced, Protokol is currently working on a pilot with a customer in the fashion resale space who has taken steps to implement DPPs not just for compliance but also to empower the sustainable consumer. Garments entering the resale market will be issued with a unique DPP that provides a transparent overview of key product lifecycle data. By providing consumers with transparent product insight, they can become more confident in the authenticity, sustainability, circularity and history of the product they are buying. This is vital in encouraging consumers to become more 'eco-conscious' when it comes to purchasing decisions, empowering them with the information needed to make sustainable choices and actively impact what items remain in circulation or stop being produced. Supply chain transparency is a key challenge—how does your technology enable real-time traceability and trust across stakeholders? With the Product Lifecycle Event Registration feature, the Protokol DPP enables users to accurately track events throughout a product's lifecycle, from creation, to repair to recycle. By allowing user-generated or system-generated events to be created as part of the DPP, all permissioned stakeholders involved in a product's lifecycle can create events related to manufacture, repair, end-of-life and more, ensuring no major lifecycle event is unaccounted for. Such trails are created to foster enhanced traceability and reporting. In simple terms, Protokol's DPP solution can capture data insights relating to how a product is used, its lifespan, and more; and not just from the manufacturers, but from stakeholders across the value chain and even directly from the customers who use it. Textile and apparel manufacturers are under pressure to meet ESG goals—how is Protokol helping such clients track and report environmental or ethical compliance using DPPs? Protokol's Digital Product Passport solution enables companies to align with (and eventually comply with) upcoming DPP mandates, which are being put forward by the EU as a tool for encouraging the circularity and sustainability of products. DPP solutions will allow companies to meet ESG goals by demonstrating the sustainability and circularity of a product to stakeholders across the value chain, including end-users such as the consumer. Data included in DPPs can include the environmental impact of products, including metrics such as water usage, carbon footprint, and more. With some DPP solutions, this data can be exported for auditing or compliance purposes. In this way, DPP solutions such as Protokol's are enabling textile and apparel brands to track and report the environmental impact of their products. With the EU's upcoming ESPR and Digital Product Passport mandate, how is Protokol enabling fashion and textile businesses to turn existing e-commerce data into compliant DPPs efficiently and at scale? We are aware that gathering product data to create DPPs is often a significant and strenuous undertaking, usually requiring teams to source data from a range of disparate systems prior to even considering standardisation or organisation. At a time when deadlines are closing in, this process is a huge burden on companies that need to begin their ESPR compliance journey. Our integration with Productsup is wholly focused on making this process seamless for their customers, including fashion retailers, who now need to gather their data and implement it into DPPs ahead of the ESPR's DPP mandate coming into force. Productsup allows for direct integration with e-commerce platforms or various other sources, allowing data to be imported into the platform in one smooth and streamlined effort. This data can then be quickly and easily mapped against purpose-built DPP templates to allow companies to create DPPs efficiently and at scale. How are textile and apparel manufacturers leveraging DPPs to boost operational efficiency, sustainability, and traceability in supply chains? Beyond compliance and efficiency with EU regulations, DPPs are unlocking new value for textile and apparel brands. They enable better storytelling by letting consumers scan a data carrier on a product, such as a QR code, and see a garment's journey. By amplifying an item's sustainability credentials, they empower brands to build loyalty by proving their commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. This is particularly important amidst the phenomenon of 'greenwashing' and the challenges businesses also face, beyond regulatory demands, to prove their sustainability pledges at a time when so many are positioning themselves as 'ethical' to increase sales and garner attraction. Moreover, from an operational efficiency standpoint, DPPs streamline data management across the product lifecycle. Traditionally, businesses have struggled with fragmented information systems and manual documentation. In other words, DPPs consolidate key product data—such as material composition, origin, and disposal advice—into one digital format that is accessible in real time to all stakeholders. Are you seeing more demand from large enterprises or mid-size manufacturers? How are adoption patterns varying globally? Although compliance timelines and regulatory requirements vary, both SMEs and large enterprises remain on edge as they navigate the initial steps towards complying with the EU regulation. Off the back of this, it is unsurprising that we are seeing demand coming from both large enterprises and SMEs when it comes to DPP adoption. Patterns of adoption are largely in line with the ESPR's prioritised industries, with textiles being one of the first. We are also seeing interest from other industries where the companies themselves value the DPP use cases beyond compliance, such as sustainability and circularity use cases. Where do you see the manufacturing industry in the next five years, and what role will Protokol play in shaping that future? Over the next five years, the manufacturing industry is poised for a major transformation driven by tightening sustainability regulations, growing consumer demand for transparency, and technological innovation. One of the most significant shifts will be the widespread adoption of DPPs, which will become an important tool for facilitating enhanced circularity of products across a variety of industries. We expect to see an increase in demand for products that are made from more sustainable materials, for manufacturers that utilise more sustainable materials, produce less waste, and have a smaller environmental footprint. Added to this, we also expect to see increased demand for remanufacturing, and for the reuse of components alongside higher rates of product refurbishment and repair. As regulatory frameworks like ESPR become more stringent and expand globally, manufacturers will be compelled to shift from linear production models towards closed-loop systems. This transition will demand digital infrastructure that can ensure data integrity, interoperability, and scalability. With increasing global focus on ESG compliance, how are manufacturers integrating sustainability and transparency into their operations and supply chains? As the EU's circularity movement and varied regulatory demands work their way down to enterprises across industries, manufacturers across sectors are integrating DPPs to give more visibility of products across the value chain for multiple stakeholders. Due to the detailed data DPPs provide, they can support and inform future (more sustainable) design decisions. Via DPPs, sustainability attributes (e.g., carbon footprint, water usage, biodegradability) can be digitally captured and shared from the outset, enabling better product stewardship and circularity across the item's value chain. Furthermore, concerning increased sustainability, DPPs facilitate new, sustainable business models—such as resale, repair, and recycling—by offering stakeholders (such as resellers or consumers) the product data they need to keep materials in use longer. This aligns manufacturers with circular economy goals and reduces their dependence on sourcing new resources. DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cascale Talks ESPR at Innovation Forum Sustainable Apparel Event in Amsterdam
Elisabeth von Reitzenstein, senior director of policy and public affairs at Cascale, recently took to the stage at Innovation Forum's Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference in Amsterdam to discuss Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and how brands can get ahead of implementation. Carsten Wentink, policy officer at the European Commission, joined her for a conversation moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director at Innovation Forum. Von Reitzenstein noted the significant adaptations that ESPR will require, which will encourage manufacturers and brands to prioritize circularity, transparency, and innovation. She shared key requirements companies must fulfill to comply with ESPR, including proactively integrating eco-design principles, assessing their supply chains, and preparing for Digital Product Passports (DPPs). Von Reitzenstein highlighted the crucial challenges DPPs will present for businesses, particularly those not currently measuring their carbon impact across supply chains. Emphasizing the importance of gathering reliable information from the full scope of suppliers, von Reitzenstein acknowledged the difficulty in collecting comprehensive and accurate data throughout complex global supply chains. She highlighted Cascale's Higg Index tools, exclusively available on Worldly, and how they can support the collection, tracking, and analysis of supply chain data for regulatory compliance. She noted Cascale's continued efforts to support its members along their compliance journeys by providing resources, guidance, and collaborative platforms to navigate the new regulations. Presenting a global perspective, von Reitzenstein emphasized that companies must move beyond compliance to build genuine resilience. She underscored the critical role of education in understanding legislation, highlighting Cascale's 'Navigating Legislation & the Higg Index' webinar series, which explores how Cascale continues to evolve the Higg Index tools to support companies navigating the legislation landscape. She also shared Cascale's ongoing efforts to develop and share resources with its members and Higg Index users to ensure they are well informed and supported in their compliance journeys. Von Reitzenstein reiterated the vital role of industry input, emphasizing the EU's call for businesses to contribute ideas to shape effective eco-design rules and realistic implementation timelines. She reassured members that they are not alone in this journey, as Cascale continues to offer valuable resources and engagement channels for alignment. She also called on the need for collaboration, highlighting the crucial role of industry organizations like Policy Hub — a Cascale ecosystem partner — in uniting the industry's voice to shape the sector's future. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Cascale
Fibre2Fashion
13-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Inside the Indian textile sector's sustainability shift
Sustainability in the textile industry is more important now than ever before! Sustainability gaining in importance like never before, Fibre2Fashion spoke to the experts and those working in the realm of sustainability to understand better the diverse facets and changing dynamics of sustainability. In today's landscape, sustainability directly influences market access, brand reputation, and operational resilience, as per Akhil Sivanandan of Green Story. The sector annually consumes around 93 billion cubic metres of water while also being responsible for up to 8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and generating nearly 9 per cent of microplastic pollution flowing into the oceans, as per some estimates. These staggering figures emphasises the textile industry's central role in addressing the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Yet, while environmental protection is often the most visible component of sustainability, it must be viewed in tandem with equally important pillars of social responsibility and economic development. Fibre2Fashion spoke to a few manufactures, experts and those working in the realm of sustainability to understand better the diverse facets of sustainability, its changing dynamics, the ground realties-opportunities and challenges, and the way forward. 'In today's landscape, sustainability directly influences market access, brand reputation, and operational resilience,' held Akhil Sivanandan, Co-founder & CEO, Green Story, adding, 'Sustainability is no longer a choice—it is a business imperative. From regulatory frameworks like the EU's ESPR and CBAM to shifting consumer expectations, the entire textile value chain is being called upon to demonstrate measurable impact reduction.' Green Story is a leading sustainability intelligence platform exclusively crafted for the apparel, accessories, and textiles industry. The platform helps brands unlock the potential of their sustainability data and achieve a better way of doing business. Akhil's perspective highlights the shifting global business climate, where sustainability is increasingly embedded in operational models, not only as a matter of ethics but also of competitive survival. Echoing this sentiment, Sabhari Girish, chief sustainability officer at Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills (Tiruppur), offered his insight into sustainable manufacturing, stating it involves the 'creation of products that use processes which are non-polluting, conserve energy and natural resources and are economically sound and safe for employees, communities and consumers,' thus portraying sustainability as a holistic concept rooted in both planetary and human welfare. Adding further depth to the conversation, Anil Jadhav, regional director of Ecocert for South Asia and the Middle East, pointed out in an earlier discussion that sustainability is built on three fundamental pillars: environmental, economic, and social. He clarified that the focus placed on each of these pillars tends to vary depending on the product and industry, be it textiles, food, or other consumer goods, and hinges on consumer values and how brands choose to position themselves. Ecocert has been a global leader in sustainability certifications and consulting for over three decades, originally beginning with organic farming and later diversifying into various other sectors including textiles. The organisation now provides comprehensive services that include certification, training, and strategic advisory, making it a critical player in driving systemic sustainability. While there is noticeable progress, especially among Indian manufacturers who are striving to meet the international sustainability benchmarks, Sivanandan cautioned that 'the journey is uneven.' He elaborated that 'large export houses are making significant strides, especially in areas like traceability, carbon measurement, and circular design. However, many SMEs still face resource constraints and lack access to the tools needed to meet global requirements like the EU Green Deal or GHG Protocol.' This variance in progress underlines the unequal playing field that small and mid-sized enterprises often encounter, complicated further by the lack of infrastructure and funding. 'At Green Story, we have seen success when manufacturers adopt a phased, data-driven approach,' Sivanandan claimed. Beyond infrastructure and resources, mental and cultural barriers also pose considerable challenges towards sustainable endeavours, pointed out by Girish, who identified the 'mental barrier' as a primary obstacle. Consumer awareness is also a matter of concern, felt the chief sustainability officer of Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills. 'The sustainability focus depends on the product being sold and the narrative that the brand wishes to promote. Whether it is addressing social issues or environmental challenges, the sustainability strategy is shaped by both the nature of the product and the values consumers expect from the brands,' underlined Jadhav. From a strategic standpoint, Sivanandan recommended that brands adopt a dual approach: reduce environmental impact at the source while simultaneously extending product lifecycles. 'On the operations side, this includes transitioning to renewable energy, optimising logistics, and improving demand forecasting to reduce overproduction. In terms of product strategy, it is about using recycled materials, designing for durability, and implementing take-back and resale programmes,' elucidated Sivanandan, adding, 'In India, we are seeing growing interest from both domestic and export-focused brands who want to showcase their circular practices with credible data. That's where our platform plays a pivotal role—translating intent into measurable, verifiable outcomes.' However, achieving such goals is not without its complications. N Thirukkumaran, chairman of Ess Tee Exports India Pvt Ltd (Tiruppur), laid out a broad range of challenges in this regard. He identified carbon emissions due to energy-intensive process, cost pressures (since sustainable materials and processes often cost more than conventional ones), lack of access to sustainable technologies/waste treatment facilities (in some developing regions), as some of the major challenges towards achieving sustainability in manufacturing. Notwithstanding the growing awareness about sustainability, a certain section of consumers still prioritised price and style over sustainability, felt Thirukkumaran as well, adding the lack of globally accepted standards and certifications further contributes to inconsistent practices and confusion in the marketplace. Esstee Exports is an established name in manufacturing and export of trendy and quality knitted readymade garments. Meanwhile, the matter of sustainable raw material availability also sparked divergent opinions within the industry. Thirukkumaran pointed out that eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fibres are often in short supply and that the supply chain for these resources can be highly fragmented. He also noted that such materials are generally more expensive due to increased production costs, certification fees, and lower economies of scale. 'Yes, there are real challenges—supply constraints, cost volatility, inconsistent certifications, and sometimes a lack of performance parity with conventional materials,' agreed Sivanandan! But he also expressed hope, saying that the situation is improving as demand increases and the technology evolves. Meanwhile, Thirukkumaran offered a practical solution by advocating for stronger collaboration between brands and farmers/manufacturers to develop more stable and predictable supply chains, while also calling for Government support in the form of fiscal incentives and tax rebates for companies that invest in environmentally friendly technologies and materials. 'Government subsidies can help offset costs and accelerate the transition,' Thirukkumaran added. Girish, on his part expressed a more optimistic view on raw material availability, asserting that 'with more and more players in the industry showing interest in manufacturing eco-friendly raw materials, there is no dearth of sustainable materials.' However, Girish urged the industry and consumers alike to distinguish between genuinely sustainable products and those that are merely the result of greenwashing. 'Increased awareness and the ability to differentiate between a Green and a Green-washed product,' he feels, is essential to ensure the credibility and impact of sustainability efforts moving forward, to wind up on a positive note! Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Esperion Therapeutics: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Esperion Therapeutics Inc. (ESPR) on Tuesday reported a loss of $40.5 million in its first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company said it had a loss of 21 cents. The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 18 cents per share. The biopharmaceutical company posted revenue of $65 million in the period, beating Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $57.7 million. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights ( using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ESPR at
San Francisco Chronicle
06-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Esperion Therapeutics: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Esperion Therapeutics Inc. (ESPR) on Tuesday reported a loss of $40.5 million in its first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company said it had a loss of 21 cents. The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 18 cents per share. The biopharmaceutical company posted revenue of $65 million in the period, beating Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $57.7 million.
