Collaborating with industry peers to drive sustainable change
Leena Kähkönen, Manager, external communication:
Together, we have a greater impact than we could ever achieve alone. This belief is a north star guiding our collaboration within our own sector at the European Textile Services Association (ETSA). As the chair of ETSA’s Communication Steering Committee, I work closely with colleagues from other textile service companies, suppliers and national associations to raise awareness about our industry’s value and impact.
Driving industry-wide change through collaboration
I believe the textile service industry could serve as a benchmark for the wider textile sector’s shift to circular economy practices. Textiles remain one of the most resource-intensive industries and a key focus of the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan. Yet, our sector has long operated on circular economy principles, making us a pioneer and a so-called “essential industrial ecosystem.”
Naturally, communication is just one part of our collaborative efforts. At Lindström, we have always taken a leading role in driving sustainable practices across the industry. My colleagues actively benchmark best practices, influence upcoming EU legislation, and set shared goals through ETSA’s working groups. For example, in the Environmental & Laundry Technology Working Group, we have advanced energy and water efficiency and minimised chemical discharge for several years. More recently, our Senior Vice President, Kati Pallasaho, began co-leading ETSA’s Sustainability Working Group with Carmela Crippa from Jensen. This group aims to set common sustainability goals and promote actions that balance sustainability with competitiveness.
Committed to a sustainable and people-centred future
Looking back, one of my personal highlights of the year was winning half of the awards at ETSA’s biannual conference in May. This recognition reflected the incredible work happening across our organisation. Specifically, it included our triple-win collaboration in corporate sustainability, enhancing customer experience and launching an innovative platform for employee learning and development.
In addition, the conference marked the launch of our sector’s manifesto, which emphasises our critical role in society. Most hospitals, hotels, food and pharmaceutical production facilities would be forced to close within days without clean textiles. When leading manifesto workshops, I was inspired by my industry colleagues’s shared commitment to sustainability and diverse workplaces. For instance, 41% of the people working in our industry come from non-native backgrounds. This diversity is clear here at Lindström’s Head Office, where employees from 30 nationalities work together, blending decades of experience with fresh ideas from recent graduates.
Looking ahead, I am confident that our collaboration with ETSA will help us tackle the many challenges facing our industry. Whether it is new technologies to meet climate targets or complex EU regulations, our collective efforts will be essential. Even as competitors, we share common goals. These include improving sustainability, attracting skilled workforce, and setting the benchmark for the textile sector’s circular transition.
Related
Lindström is proud to launch a new ETSA manifesto for the textile service industry ahead of the European elections.
The European Textile Service Association (ETSA) recognised excellence in the textile services industry at their congress in Prague in May.
