Sustainable Business Podcast by Innovation Forum

Weekly podcast – Beyond the football shirt: Puma on the real state of textile-to-textile recycling 30.06.2026 10dk

This week: Cornelius Wolf, senior director development apparel at Puma, talks with Ian Welsh about the brand's progress on textile-to-textile recycling. They discuss the challenges of sourcing post-consumer waste, why World Cup shirts are putting circularity in the spotlight, and how Puma is managing the cost premium on recycled material. Plus: UK invests £50m in critical minerals to cut import reliance; G7 seeks to halve dependence on China as Beijing strengthens BRICS ties; human rights abuse allegations at critical minerals mines jump 73%; and, experts debate mineral alliances and a just energy transition at London Climate Action Week, in the news digest by Innovation Forum's Babette Pages. Host: Ian Welsh

3% trust marketing claims, so where does supply chain trust actually live? 30.06.2026 9dk

Paul Bentham, chief product and technology officer at Oritain, talks with Ian Welsh about the findings of the company's first annual supply chain intelligence report, including the surprise rise in prohibited-origin products on shelves. They also discuss the growing gap between brands' traceability claims and the physical reality of their products, and how tariffs and converging regulation are creating new blind spots in global sourcing.

Weekly podcast – How sustainability reporting went from storytelling to evidence 23.06.2026 21dk

This week: Danai Mangana, LCA consultant and consumer goods sector lead at SimaPro, PRé Sustainability, talks with Ian Welsh about how corporate sustainability reporting has evolved from communications exercise to evidence-based intelligence. They discuss why companies retreating to compliance-only mode risk falling behind. Plus: a new global symbol to identify reusable packaging; German consumers underestimate national recycling rates; refill packaging now well established in personal care; and, food and beverage plastics dominate global shorelines, in the news digest by Babette Pages.

Nestlé Dairy Plan in Action: Better for farmers, cows, the planet and people (virtual event recording) 23.06.2026 58dk

Listen to the unveiling the first global progress report from the Nestlé Dairy Plan — a holistic approach to dairy transformation that brings together climate action, regenerative agriculture, animal welfare, farmer resilience and innovation across the value chain. We heard practical solutions are already delivering results at scale: helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting productivity and farmer incomes, strengthening nature on and around farms, and building more secure supplies of high-quality dairy ingredients for the future. From digital tools and feed innovation to manure management, biodiversity projects and agri-preneurship programmes, this session will spotlight the partnerships and on-the-ground action making a difference across markets. We explored what’s working today, what we’re learning, and what it takes to build a more sustainable and resilient dairy system for the long term.We heard from: Antonia Wanner, Chief Sustainability Officer, Nestlé Katja Seidenschnur, Head of Sustainability Nutrition and Health SBU, Nestlé Wilson Bras, Dairy Farmer from Brazil Robert Erhard, Group Dairy Lead, Nestlé Marlies Overbeeke, Director for Sustainability Strategy and Customer Partnerships, FrieslandCampina Damian Oettli, Head of Markets, WWF Andrea Porro, Secretary General, World Farmers' Organisation The session was moderated by Tom Idle, Founder, Narrative Matters.

What the cotton industry can learn from a Mississippi farmer 22.06.2026 13dk

Liz Hirshfield, executive director at COTTON USA™ and US Cotton Trust Protocol, and Sledge Taylor, a cotton farmer in Mississippi, talk with Ian Welsh about regenerative agriculture in the US cotton sector. They discuss from the practices Sledge has been using since the 1970s to how COTTON USA™ is building traceability and economic incentives to help other farmers make the transition.

Nestlé Income Accelerator 2026 Annual Progress Report Webinar: Accelerating change at scale 22.06.2026 1sa 2dk

Launched in 2022, the Nestlé Income Accelerator is a family centred approach designed to help close the living income gap for cocoa farming families and reduce child labour risks. The program encourages change at household and farm level and rewards practices that contribute to improved livelihoods, environmental stewardship and community resilience. During this webinar, Nestlé shared the latest results of the program that is accelerating impact at scale, drawing on an independent impact assessment by the KIT Institute, insights from participating households, and feedback from partners implementing the initiative on the ground. The discussion brought together independent expert, an implementing partner, a cocoa farmer and a community advocate offering an opportunity for open exchange on what is working, what needs improvement, and how lessons learned can inform future approaches across the sector.

Apparel sector net zero: no shortage of ambition 16.06.2026 11dk

This week: While in New York for this year’s Sustainable Apparel and Textiles USA, Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell spoke with Jimmy Summers, vice-president for EHS and sustainability at Elevate Textiles. They talked about net zero ambitions in the apparel sector and why it’s necessary to get away from the race-to-the-bottom approach that has become the norm. Plus: World Cup emissions set to soar; SBTi's updated corporate net-zero standard; how to transform agricultural waste into carbon-negative products, in the news digest with Babette Pagès. Host: Ian Welsh

The myth that's holding frozen food back 15.06.2026 8dk

Lauren Woodley, head of nutrition and sensory science at Nomad Foods, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about how Europe's largest frozen food company balances consumer demand for health, taste and affordability. They discuss from tackling persistent myths about frozen food to navigating the trade-offs in reformulation and segmenting products by their role in the diet.

Innovation beyond compliance: The commercial case for sustainable packaging 10.06.2026 1dk

Packaging is gaining increasing boardroom attention, driven by extended producer responsibility fees, legal exposure around environmental claims, and rising material costs from recycled content requirements. This webinar explored how these regulatory pressures interact with consumer demand to influence packaging strategy. We looked at how to build a business case that connects sustainable packaging choices to innovation and commercial returns, not just compliance. We were joined by a panel of experts from across the packaging value chain, to discuss: • Compliance as a starting point, not a destination — How EPR obligations can be a strategic foundation to generate cost savings, long-term resilience, and new market opportunities • How to link innovation to commercial returns — From the paperisation of packaging to circular systems, how leading brands are translating sustainability investment into cost savings, consumer trust, and competitive differentiation • The ingredients for a future-proof packaging strategy — How to anticipate regulatory changes, fees and bans on formats, and shifting consumer expectations before they become business risks This webinar was curated by Innovation Forum in collaboration with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, knowledge partner for the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum 2026 (Chicago, Oct. 27-28).

Weekly podcast – Grid revolution: powering the future 09.06.2026 17dk

This week: Tanja Lischka, senior director for government affairs at Siemens Energy, talks with Ian Welsh about the power grid evolution required as electrification continues to be rolled out, and the challenges and opportunities this represents. And, Ian also speaks with Ginny Maceda senior manager for mission and stability at Danone about regenerative agriculture and climate strategy. Plus: how green roofs can boost resilience; more inclusive climate action in Latin America; climate change’s impact on displacement in Africa; and, a spotlight on soils in the wine sector, in the news digest with Babette Pages Prange.

The business case for AI in fashion: hit rates, waste and profit 09.06.2026 9dk

Daniel Di Benedetto, geo lead for northern Europe at Centric Software, talks with Ian Welsh about how predictive intelligence can help the apparel sector reduce waste and improve margins. They discuss from AI-driven trend forecasting and shorter decision cycles to repurposing surplus materials before they reach landfill.

How tariffs impact supply chain decisions 02.06.2026 13dk

This week: Oritain’s chief product and technology officer Paul Bentham talks with Ian Welsh about some new apparel supply chain intelligence that highlights visibility gaps, and why risk management best practice is evolving from assurance to an evidence-based approach. Plus: EUDR simplification measures explained, evidence that forests do promote well-being and Indonesia’s tighter state control on commodity export, in the news digest with Babette Pagès Prange. Host: Ian Welsh Click here for the new report from Oritain.

Soil as a tool for building climate-resilient supply chains (webinar recording) 27.05.2026 48dk

Today, soil rarely appears on a balance sheet, a boardroom agenda, or even a climate strategy. This webinar explored why that needs to change. Drawing on perspectives from leading food companies, we explored how regenerative agriculture is being put into practice, how soil health can become a credible part of climate and brand strategy, and what farmers want from these boardroom discussions. We discussed… From soil carbon to soil health: Understanding soil as a system, and why a holistic approach is critical for resilience and productivity The emerging link between soil health and crop quality, taste, and nutrient density – and what this means for the business case for regenerative practices Scaling action: The role of cross-industry collaboration and value chain engagement in driving impact The urgency, and opportunity, of embedding soil health into strategies for a low-carbon, resilient future

Weekly podcast – How regenerative agriculture is taking root in US cotton 26.05.2026 18dk

This week: Ian Welsh speaks with Liz Hershfield, executive director of Cotton USA and the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, and Sledge Taylor, a cotton farmer from Mississippi, about the real-world benefits and challenges of regenerative agriculture in the US cotton sector. And, global carbon pricing revenues top $107 billion; why circular economy interventions could transform the EU's environmental impact; forty major food companies commit to regenerative agriculture; and, why the green transition may be accelerating rainforest destruction, in the news digest by Innovation Forum's Babette Pages-Prange.

Why your label choice is a sustainability decision 26.05.2026 19dk

Monica Gross, ecosystem engagement manager at Avery Dennison, talks with Ian Welsh about the multiple functions of packaging and why labelling is central to all of them – from brand identity and operational efficiency to recyclability and regulatory compliance under PPWR and EPR frameworks. They also discuss connected packaging and the shift from paper to filmic labels.

Weekly podcast – Why perfect is the enemy of good in food reformulation 19.05.2026 14dk

This week: Lauren Woodley, head of nutrition and sensory science at Nomad Foods, talks with Ian Welsh about how Europe's largest frozen food company balances consumer demand for health, taste and affordability. They discuss from tackling persistent myths about frozen food to navigating the trade-offs in reformulation and segmenting products by their role in the diet. And, Ian talks with Aidan Davy, co-chief operating officer at ICMM, about what critical minerals actually means and why no mineral is inherently critical. Host: Ian Welsh

Design, waste and scale: breaking the circularity cycle 19.05.2026 9dk

Eduardo Alvarez, associate director for packaging EMEA at Dow, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about what packaging circularity really means – from designing for recyclability and developing waste-to-feedstock pathways to the challenge of scaling monomaterial solutions. They discuss why collaboration and a willingness to take risk are as important as regulation in accelerating the transition.

Culture as a catalyst: Todd Corley on embedding people-first thinking into Carhartt's sustainability strategy 19.05.2026 44dk

As sustainability conversations increasingly center on regulation, compliance deadlines and investment in new data systems, something risks getting lost: the need to invest in people who drive the change. Todd Corley's perspective emphasizes the importance of inspiring and developing individuals across all levels of an organization. Rooted in a career shaping social, philanthropic, sustainability and belonging initiatives in corporate workplaces, he now holds one of the most distinctive roles in the industry as Chief People and Impact Officer at Carhartt. From that vantage point, he builds strategy bottom-up, and asks a different question: What happens when you treat people and culture not as a support function to your people and impact strategy, but as its foundation? Integrating this strategic framework within global organizations requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to accept that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a purpose-driven culture. In this webinar, we explored: - How Todd's journey to Chief People and Impact Officer shapes his approach to sustainability- What it looks like to structure teams and governance for real impact, and why capacity building is a strategic investment- Carhartt's people-first approach in practice: examples of community connection, skilled trade development and accessible circularity- Making the internal business case: navigating pushback and keeping purpose at the core- Reasons for optimism, and what the industry needs to do next to act on them

Weekly podcast – Less waste, better margins: the case for AI in sustainable apparel 12.05.2026 17dk

Daniel Di Benedetto, geo lead for northern Europe at Centric Software, talks with Ian Welsh about how predictive intelligence can help the apparel sector reduce waste and improve margins. And, Ian talks with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell about the key themes from the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference in Amsterdam, including the desire for regulatory certainty, the push for inclusive circularity and why heat stress and governance emerged as the standout topics for attendees. Host: Ian Welsh Continue the conversation in New York City for the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference USA on 3-4 June. Registration information can be found here. Tune into our partnered episode on the Supply Chain Revolution podcast with Christine Goulay, focusing on the state of apparel in North America. You can listen as a podcast or as a video interview.

The science, the policy and the US food system 11.05.2026 15dk

Anupama Joshi, vice president of programs at the Center for Science and the Public Interest, talks with Anamya Anurag about the realities on the ground, in comparison to the Make America Healthy Again programme and its policy actions. They uncover contradictions in guidelines, federal inaction and what business can do amid budget cuts.