The Swedish Textile Service Association's annual meeting on May 21st at the Elite Palace Hotel in Stockholm was a great success with around 140 participants from across the industry. The event also attracted international media interest as the German public service channel BR, part of ARD, was present to interview members and document the meeting.
Leadership, sustainability and the future economy in focus
The annual meeting brought together prominent representatives from politics, business, education and international industry for discussions about the economic situation, sustainable development and future cooperation.
The economic situation and the government's priorities
Minister for Financial Markets Niklas Wykman gave the participants an up-to-date picture of the economic situation, the government's priorities and the reforms that affect Sweden's economic future. With his background as a doctor of economics and minister since 2022, he contributed with in-depth perspectives on financial conditions and economic policy.
Niklas Wykman, Minister of Financial Markets and Michael Sandin (Chairman, Swedish Textile Service Association)
International leadership in the industry exhibition and event industry
The new cooperation between Fiera Milano and the Swedish Textile Service Association was presented during the meeting ahead of the autumn return of ExpoDetergo. Marta Triulzi, international sales account, represented one of Europe's leading players in industry exhibitions and congresses and shared her experiences around innovation, growth and international event development.
Stockholm on the world map
Former Finance City Councilor Mats Hulth reflected on Stockholm's development as an international city and his work to strengthen the capital's global profile through, among other things, the Water Festival, the Capital of Culture year and investments in major events.
Communication and sustainability in the textile industry
Rossella De Angelis from Klopman highlighted how strategic sustainability work and communication strengthens the textile industry's development and companies' responsibility within Corporate Social Responsibility.
Swedish business in global cooperation
Business Sweden's CEO Jan Larsson spoke about the importance of international competitiveness, investments and cooperation for Swedish companies in a rapidly changing global economy.
Practical integration into business
Samhall's Chairman of the Board Carola Lemne shared experiences from both the public and private sectors and emphasized the importance of integration, the labor market and sustainable leadership in the society of the future.
The circular textile revolution
Several speakers highlighted the development towards a circular textile industry. Jessica Goguillon from Circulose presented the work on recycling textile fibres and sustainable raw material flows, while Andreas Dorner and Baris Özden from RE&UP Recycling Technologies described how new European solutions and regulations are driving textile-to-textile recycling forward. Susanne Beskow and Caroline von Post have developed a process that makes it possible to scale up textile recycling on an industrial scale. They have made circular uniforms for Hr Björkmans Entrémattor and the National Museum and are now collaborating with the City of Stockholm and Elis on a key project, meal shawls, which will replace disposable bibs.
School cooperation with the business community
Rickard Vinde from Solna Gymnasium emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between education and business to meet future skills needs and create better opportunities for young people. Rickard Vinde is the 2026 recipient of the Swedish Textile Service Association's Sustainability AwardHe donated the prize money to the organization Berättarministeriet.
Honorary member: Peter Havéus
During the annual meeting, attention was paid to Peter Havéus as honorary member for his long-standing and significant contributions to the laundry and textile service industry. His commitment has been of great importance to the industry's development and sustainability work.
Together, this year's speakers and participants reflected a strong belief in the future and a shared ambition to strengthen Sweden's and Europe's position in a rapidly changing world.
