Registration is now open for the 2025 Southern Textile Research Conference (STRC). An Early Bird registration rate of $549 is available through 3/17/2025; afterward, the rate will be $649. Details can be found at https://thestrc.org/register/.
The theme for STRC 2025 is “Transforming Textiles, Preserving the Future”. The STRC Planning Committee is excited to announce a format change designed to bring you a 2025 program you don’t want to miss! STRC will begin May 18 with the traditional Keynote Address given by Dr. Isabella Tonaco, Executive Director SCTI (https://scti.org/), headquartered in Germany, followed by the networking reception. The Monday program will be a roundtable discussion / Q&A session that will include 8 panelists representing a diverse cross-section of the global textile supply chain. The panel will engage with attendees, providing exceptional insight into sustainability initiatives, navigating restricted substances, process and design improvements, materials, recycling, etc. being implemented globally focused on “Transforming Textiles, Preserving the Future”.
Panelists will include:
- Global Sustainable Chemistry NGO – Dr. Isabella Tonaco, Executive Director SCTI
- USA Large Retailer – TBD
- Brand – TBD
- Chemical Supplier – Dr. Gunther Duschek, Managing Director Rudolf Group
- Standards Organization – Ben Mead, Managing Director USA, Hohenstein Institute Americas, Inc.
- Textile Manufacturer – Thomas Braun, Technical Director Swisstex
- Fiber Industry Representative – Michele Wallace, Director Sustainability Standards Development Cotton Incorporated
- Textile Industry Supply Chain Executive – TBD
The Tuesday morning program will follow the traditional STRC format, focused on moving the industry towards circularity through product design, waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and conversion of waste into useful materials. The following presentations are planned for Tuesday morning:
PRESENTATION #1: “COTTON TO SUGAR UPDATE”, Dr. Matt Farrell, Manager, Textile Chemistry Research Cotton Incorporated
PRESENTATION #2: “STATE OF TEXTILE RECYCLING: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE PATH FORWARD”, Stephen Aber, Marketing & Communications Manager EREF (Environmental Research & Education Foundation)
Presentation #3: “Custom Circularity Models and Understanding the Process”, Bob Carswell, Research and Development Director Material Return
PRESENTATION #4: TBD
STRC 2025 will be held at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach. Hotel registration is separate from the STRC registration: https://thestrc.org/hotel-information/
We are excited about the terrific STRC 2025 program and look forward to a great turnout!
