FILA turning sportswear green with sustainable initiatives
FILA, the Italian sports fashion brand, is investing in sustainable technologies to tap into China's carbon reduction agenda, according to a senior executive.
During the just-concluded fourth China International Import Expo, the company showcased its three-pronged sustainable strategies in recyclable shoe wear, biodegradable material and future-facing technologies such as waterless dyeing, as it upholds China's goal of reaching carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.
"The 'double carbon' target set by the Chinese government has taken China's green economy to a whole new level, and the realization of this target also requires FILA's full participation," said Brian Yiu, CEO of FILA China. "For us, 'sustainable fashion' is not a slogan, but a concrete action."
For instance, compared with traditional dyeing, waterless dyeing has the advantages of using no water and saving steam, fuel and auxiliary agents, which can reduce 50 percent of energy consumption and 50 percent of chemical emissions.
Yiu said FILA will also officially launch an environment, social responsibility and corporate governance sustainability project, and plans to lead low-carbon development of the sports fashion industry in three dimensions including product research and development, production and retail.
The company also provided an immersive skiing experience for the expo as more Chinese consumers brace for winter sports. FILA will sponsor China's national freestyle aerial skiing team to compete in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Yiu said the Chinese government has announced the goal of encouraging 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports, which is "a clear sign of the government's commitment to the all-round development of ice and snow sports in China".
"Great efforts have been put into promoting sports nationwide as a crucial policy in the 14th Five-Year Plan," he said. "We hold a positive view on the huge potential of future growth in the Chinese market."
