Latest news with #valuechain
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New study examines value chain of used clothing and circularity impact
The study titled, 'From Collection of Used Clothes in Sweden to Reuse in Kenya: A Case Study of Humana Lt's Value Chain for SecondHand Clothes', was commissioned by Humana Lithuania. The report's objective is to conduct a case study that details and examines the value chain of second-hand clothes collected in Sweden, destined for the Kenyan second-hand clothing market. It aims to outline the 'markets' dynamics' and assess the potential economic activities, job creation, and socio-economic effects stemming from this trade. The focus is on the 'post-consumer textiles'. The document outlines the various stages of the value chain, including sorting processes in Lithuania and Oman, leading up to the importation and resale within Kenya's second-hand clothing market. According to the report, the common critique that equates the export of second-hand clothes to Kenya with dumping is 'not supported by evidence'. Kenya imposes substantial import duties on mitumba, a term used in East Africa for second-hand clothes, making it financially impractical to import textiles only to dispose of them in landfills, the study said. The report highlights challenges faced by textile collectors due to new EU waste regulations under the Waste Framework Directive. The mandatory separation of textiles from household waste in Sweden, which started in January 2025, has already begun to increase volumes while simultaneously decreasing the proportion of textiles suitable for reuse. According to findings, this change is exerting financial and operational pressures on collectors who already operate on narrow margins. Cristofer Ståhlgren from Human Bridge, a Swedish used textiles collector, said: "As textile collectors, we support better textile waste management, but the new rules are placing logistical and financial strain on our operations. Collectors are being overburdened without adequate support, while systems enabling effective reuse are being disrupted. If we're serious about circularity, we must protect and strengthen the existing reuse infrastructure.' The IVL report stresses the importance of having separate collection systems for reuse and recycling in order to maintain quality streams for reuse. Sweden's experience serves as an example of how EU directives can have unintended negative consequences if not carefully planned. Key insights from the report: - Differentiated collection systems are necessary for reuse and recycling: Sweden's mandatory textile collection has led to more collected textiles but also a greater number of items unsuitable for reuse. - Significance of sorting and quality control: In 2024, Humana Lithuania sorted approximately 38,000 tonnes (t) of used textiles, with 76% earmarked for reuse and 16% for recycling. - Creation of economic and social value: The second-hand clothing trade fosters employment opportunities from European collection points to Kenyan retail outlets. - Unprofitability of dumping: With Kenya's high import taxes on mitumba, discarding imported textiles would not be economically viable. - Support for humanitarian efforts: The sorting and resale of second-hand clothing in the Global North often support charitable work and social causes in the Global South. Humana Lithuania CEO Orjan Osterdal said: 'As EU countries introduce new collection and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements under the Waste Framework Directive, it's crucial to recognise that global clothing reuse, built on quality exports, is a key part of the solution to a circular textile economy.' This report comes after Mitumba Consortium Association of Kenya (MCAK) called on global stakeholders promote evidence-based research and policymaking in January this year to tackle misinformation about the second-hand clothing industry. A report by Consulting For Africa (CFA) and Abalon Capital Limitada, in March this year revealed that second-hand clothing (SHC) sector emerged as a significant economic driver in Mozambique, sustaining over 200,000 jobs in both formal and informal sectors. "New study examines value chain of used clothing and circularity impact " was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
03-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Shock To Strategy: Rethinking Supply Chains For The Next 30 Years
The Future of Supply Chain If the last few years have taught us anything, it's that uncertainty is the new normal. Supply chain leaders have navigated a relentless series of shocks—geopolitical upheaval, climate extremes, and rapid technological change. In the World Economic Forum's latest white paper, 'From Shock to Strategy: Building Value Chains for the Next 30 Years,' the message is clear: Why Supply Chains Must Change Let's start with the big picture. The WEF's Global Future Council on Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains has mapped out a future where 'the only certainty is uncertainty'. Gone are the days when manufacturers could rely on a predictable, globalized model. Today, 90% of industry leaders are shifting toward regionalization and dual sourcing strategies. Headlines about trade wars, cyberattacks, and climate disasters aren't just background noise, they're the new operating environment. The Council's white paper frames the conversation around three time horizons—2030, 2040, and 2050—each with its own challenges and opportunities. The goal? To help companies move from reactive shock management to proactive, strategic value chain design. Eight Forces Shaping the Future At the heart of the report there are eight powerful forces that will shape supply chains through 2050: Three Pillars for Future-Ready Value Chains So, what does it take to build a value chain that can thrive amid all this change? The WEF report highlights three strategic pillars: What Does the Roadmap Look Like? The near-term focus is on tangible, actionable steps. The report highlights real-world use cases where companies are already making progress—whether it's implementing circular economy models, building regional supply hubs, or using digital twins for scenario planning. The message is simple: start now and build a foundation for the future. Looking ahead to 2040, the WEF uses scenario planning to explore how these eight forces might interact. Will regulatory complexity spur innovation or stifle it? Will technology create new divides or bridge old ones? These scenarios aren't predictions—they're tools for stress-testing strategies and building agility into long-term plans. The 2050 outlook is a call to action. It challenges leaders to think beyond incremental improvement and envision a world where value chains are not only resilient and sustainable, but also inclusive and equitable. Achieving this vision will require bold decisions, cross-sector collaboration, and a willingness to rethink old assumptions. Key Takeaways for Supply Chain Leaders As someone who's spent decades in supply chain and manufacturing, I see the WEF's 'From Shock to Strategy' report as both a wake-up call and a roadmap. The next 30 years will be defined by those who can turn uncertainty into opportunity. The time to act is now—because the supply chains we build today will shape the world of tomorrow.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
High-Impact Workshops and Lecture Series Announced for World of Coffee Geneva 2025
Actionable Learning Opportunities Focus on the Specialty Coffee Value Chain GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / / June 16, 2025 / The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is proud to unveil the education program at World of Coffee Geneva, taking place June 26-28, 2025, at Palexpo SA. Over 60 free lectures and 25 hands-on workshops empower professionals across the specialty coffee value chain and provide the tools and knowledge they need to innovate, adapt, and lead in the global coffee industry. "This year's education program is all about practical, forward-thinking learning that meets the moment," said Kim Elena Ionescu, Chief Strategy & Insights Officer at the SCA. "Our Lecture Series, which is free of charge to attendees, is designed to inform, inspire, and connect the global coffee community, while our fee-based workshops offer a deeper dive into key topics and skills that complement SCA's certificate programs."Early registration for the World of Coffee Geneva Workshops is strongly encouraged. The 25, 2.5-3.5 hours workshops include the following: Thursday, June 26, 2025 Crafting Connections: A Market-Readiness Workshop for Green Coffee Producers & Exporters Regenerative Thinking: A Design Thinking Toolkit for Specialty Coffee Crafting Exceptional and Sustainable Coffee Blends Hiring and Training: Building Strong Foundations for a Growing Team Your Coffee Data Made Easy: Build your Business Intelligence Dashboard for Better Decisions Beyond the Beans: How to Craft Stories to Connect with Your Buyer Boost Your Social Ventures: Sustainable Project Funding through Crowdfunding Sensory Training: Unlocking Coffee's Full Potential Friday, June 27, 2025 Mastering Sensory Skills: A Hands-On Approach to Specialty Coffee Evaluation Taste with Your Eyes: How Color Impacts Flavor (and Willingness to Pay?) The Evolution of Coffee Brewing: Geography, Flavor, and Culture Taste, Describe, Create: Applying the CVA Descriptive Form to Coffee Blend Creation Coffee Business Growth Masterclass: Navigating Consolidation with Strategic Action Savoring Diversity: A Workshop on Coffee Species Genetics and Flavor Exploration Building your Own Pricing Impact Assessment to Support Smallholder Livelihoods Where Did That Charge Come From? A Roaster's Guide to Coffee Costs Saturday, June 28, 2025 Fundamentals of Green Coffee Buying Level Up Your Leadership: Management for Multi-Site Operators Infused at Origin: Understanding and Experiencing Infused Coffees The World of Coffee Geneva complimentary Lecture Series will explore urgent and emerging topics across three thematic tracks: Science, Business, and Sustainability. Science sessions include a diverse range of topics exploring chemistry, sensory qualities, and innovations in coffee research. These sessions are: Unraveling Cup Quality of Wild Varieties and Half-Wild Hybrids Conserved at the Coffee Genebank by the Agronomic Institute (IAC) in Brazil; Electrochemical Measurement and Modification of Coffee; Past, Present, and Future of Cupping; Impact of Decaffeination on Coffee Quality - A Chemistry Perspective; Sensory and Chemical Impact of the Presence of Black and Sour Physical Defects; Hot & Cold Value Assessment: Comparative Sensory Profiling of Cold, Hot, and Gentle Brewed Coffees Using Descriptive Techniques; An Exploration of Coffee Brewing Habits Through Netnography and Means-End Chain Analysis; Exploring the Impact of Nitrogen Injection on Cold Brew Quality: Extraction Levels, Caffeine, and Chlorogenic Acid Concentration; and Exploring Coffee Acidity: A Flavoromics Perspective. Business sessions include a variety of topics that address both the current landscape and future direction of the specialty coffee industry. These sessions are: What is Specialty Coffee?; Coffee Consolidations: Smart Strategies for Small Companies to Scale Up (ver. 2.0); Staying Ahead of the Curve: Leveraging Coffee Industry Trends for Success; The Great Coffee Price Breakaway; Building Customer Loyalty: Lessons From Scaling Nairobi's First Specialty Coffee Subscription Service; Global Coffee Supply Chain: Overcoming Logistics Disruptions; Global Trends in Specialty Coffee: How Shops Around the World Engage Consumers Through Design, Experience, and Communication; and The Evolution of Coffee Culture in Ukraine: Challenges, Adaptation, and Future Prospects. Sustainable sessions include a range of impactful topics focused on environmental responsibility, social equity, and collaborative strategies within the coffee industry. These sessions are: Results from the Latin America Coffee Carbon Footprint Baseline Study and the Impact of Industry-Wide Collaboration for Carbon Footprint Baselining; Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture: Toward Living and Prosperous Incomes; The Role of Women in the Sustainable Development of the Coffee Industry: The Case of Rebuild Women's Hope Cooperative in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Carbon Footprint in Brazilian Coffee: Measurement and Reduction Strategies; Toward Equitable Compliance: Making Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Work for All; Closing the Living Income Gap: Collaborating on Prices, Efficiency, and Value Distribution in the Honduran Coffee Sector; and Agroforestry Coffee and Participatory Guarantee Systems Initiatives: How the Slow Food Coffee Coalition Members Build an International Network Based on Biodiversity, Transparency, and Collaboration. To view the full education schedule and register, visit of Coffee Geneva is Europe's largest international specialty coffee trade show, anticipating approximately 13,000 professionals from 160+ countries. With approximately 450 exhibiting companies, the event offers unparalleled opportunities to showcase products, network with industry leaders, and access qualified global coffee buyers-25% of whom plan to invest over $1 million this year. Event sponsors include Host Sponsor: BWT water+more; Platinum Sponsor: Barista Attitude; Diamond Sponsor: Nestlé Professional; and Gold Sponsor: Alpro. The Portrait Country: Café de Colombia, will feature exclusive cultural activations and a pop-up café experience Registration for World of Coffee Geneva 2025 is now open at SCA members receive exclusive registration discounts. Interested in exhibiting or sponsorship? Contact Margaret Andreucetti at margareta@ or sponsorships@ Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the largest global coffee trade association dedicated to making coffee better by fostering a global coffee community and supporting initiatives that drive specialty coffee as a thriving, equitable, and sustainable industry. Through collaboration and progressive approaches, the SCA supports the industry through research, standards, education, and events. Working worldwide, the SCA elevates coffee quality standards while connecting a growing global community. Learn more at or follow @specialtycoffeeassociation on social media. # # # For further information, contact:Amy Riemer, Communications Director978-502-4895 (mobile)amy@ SOURCE: World of Coffee View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Herald
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Proposed smoking regulations ignore 'illicit trade crisis', says consumer body
'The bill also draws an unfair distinction between the formal and informal sectors. The informal sector is not held to the same compliance standards and that imbalance is not fair. We ask that this gap be closed by ensuring that all businesses, formal or informal, are required to hold the necessary licences, registrations and compliance documentation.' CGCSA proposed that separate consultative legislative processes should continue. 'Illicit trade in tobacco has increased by between 60% and 70%, and we are demanding urgent prioritisation of this issue, because what we are witnessing is a full-blown crisis,' Tyikwe said. She said the value chain faced mounting pressure from the bill. 'While it aims to improve public health outcomes through stronger tobacco control, it also carries implications for the entire tobacco and nicotine value chain. The total farming yields have declined, worsened by the 2020 lockdown, which reduced employment from 11,000 to 6,000 workers, who are supporting at least 80,000 dependents. 'These farmers contributing to the national fiscal without government aid exemplifies the value chain's fragility. Retailers must also reconfigure points-of-sales at significant costs to conceal products, while specialists, tobacconists and vaping stores face customer loss. Informal traders, such as spaza shops, lack the infrastructure to comply, facing criminalisation and exclusion from legal trade.' CGCSA legal, regulatory and sustainability executive Neo Momodu said the statement constantly being made was that business wanted to make a profit.
