Sustainability Roundtable

The Vita Group hosted a roundtable focusing on the importance of sustainability in manufacturing. The event which was in celebration of the launch of their first sustainability report – Enhancing Everyday Life was held at the Group’s state-of-the-art Innovation Centre.

With extreme weather affecting all corners of the globe, it is more clear than ever that we are in the midst of a climate emergency, and we have a moral duty to our children and grandchildren to protect the planet. There’s also a quiet revolution occurring – people are interested in more sustainable, greener, and more renewable products that enable them to pursue their consumer needs with less of an impact on the world around them.

It’s something the industry has been aware of for a while – but that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone in the manufacturing sector has a meaningful and well-defined sustainability strategy in place.

In the UK’s furniture industry, for instance, sustainability still doesn’t rank as a top three priority for a third of companies – according to a 2022 survey conducted by the British Furniture Confederation (BFC). So, what’s holding them back? What are the challenges they face and where can opportunities be exploited when it comes to sustainable manufacturing?

The roundtable discussion prompted a range of insights that point the way forward for how manufacturing can successfully deliver upon its aims for sustainability.

Attendees:

Host: Simon Robinson, Editor of Urethanes Technology

Round table guests:

• Brigitte Amoruso – Climate Change, Energy and Environment Senior Specialist – Make UK
• David Adams – Associate Director, Client Development – Schneider
• James Baker – CEO – Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, University of Manchester
• Jason Block – Upholstery Technologist – John Lewis

The Vita Group:

• Ian Robb – CEO
• Mike Murray – CTO
• Julie Walker – Technical Manager