Event

Industry-scale circular textiles and business models: Scaling circular solutions, innovations and partnerships in ASEAN

This event is hosted by the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC), the Embassy of Finland in Bangkok and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra as a side event to ACEF2026 and WCEF.

Location

Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand

Schedule

Wednesday 07.10.2026 at 13.00-17.00

Accelerating circular business opportunities between ASEAN and Europe

Circular economy solutions are creating new opportunities for competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth across Southeast Asia. Since collaboration across value chains is at the core of circular business models, this event brings together businesses, policymakers, investors and experts from ASEAN, Finland and across Europe to explore practical solutions, exchange ideas and build new partnerships.

The programme focuses on industry-scale circular textiles and scalable circular business models in other sectors, that create economic value while reducing resource use. Through business cases from Finland and Southeast Asia, expert discussions and networking, participants will gain insights into emerging opportunities, learn from leading practitioners and explore ways to scale circular solutions across markets and value chains.

The event will feature inspiring examples from companies and organisations that are advancing circular economy solutions in practice, alongside discussion on the opportunities and enabling conditions needed to accelerate the transition.

Join us to discover proven solutions, connect with potential partners and strengthen circular economy collaboration between Southeast Asia and Europe.

The event is organised as a side event to the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF) 2026, which will take place at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn in Bangkok on 5-7 October 2026. ACEF brings together policymakers, businesses, financial institutions, development partners and experts to advance circular economy action across Southeast Asia. This side event builds on a series of Finland-led ACEF events since 2023, creating opportunities for collaboration between ASEAN and European stakeholders and supporting the transition towards more circular and resilient economies. The event is also an official WCEF Side Event. The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) is a landmark event of the year that brings together business leaders, policymakers and experts to present the world’s best circular economy solutions.

This invitation-only event is targeted at companies and stakeholders working with circular businesses, with special focus on industry-scale circular textiles and commercially proven circular business models.

12.30

13.00

Registration and coffee

13.00-13.10

Opening and welcome remarks


H.E. Kristiina Kuvaja-Xanthopoulos, Ambassador of Finland
Marleena Ahonen, Circular economy specialist, Sitra International Programmes

13.10

13.30

Context setting

Fireside chat: Circular economy in ASEAN: Where do we stand in 2026?
ACSDSD, NSTDA, UNIDO

13:40

13.50

Presentation: Industry-scale circular textiles: Lindström’s model for the region

Mr. Ankit Shah, CFO Asia, Lindström Group

13.50

14.00

Presentation: The ASEAN Circular Textile Ecosystem – connecting waste, technology, manufacturing and global markets

Mr. Jirarot Poyanavaraphan, MD, SC Grand Textiles

14.00

14.10

Presentation: Circular Textile Opportunities in Cambodia

Mr. Massimiliano Tropeano, Garment Sector Sustainability Expert and Consultant, GIZ

14.10

14.20

Presentation: Make Circular Economy a Reality for Fashion Industry

Ms. Amorpot Huvandana, CEO, Co-Founder, Moreloop

14.20

14.50

Panel Discussion: Scaling circular textiles across ASEAN: barriers, enablers, and industry leadership

Mr. Ankit Shah, CFO Asia, Lindström Group

Mr. Massimiliiano Tropeano, Consultant, GIZ

Mr. Supoj Chaiwilai, VP, Thai Taffeta & FTI

Mr. Jirarot Poyanavaraphan, MD, SC Grand Ms. Thamonwan Virodchaiyan, Moreloop

Ms. Thamonwan Virodchaiyan, Moreloop

Q&A – Open questions from the floor

Moderator

SESSION 2: CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS IN PRACTICE

15.10

15.20

Business Case Spotlight & QA: From Textile Waste to Construction Panels

Ms. Pinyada Ninkamhang, Founder, Stelapop

15.20

15.30

Business Case Spotlight & QA: Circular Economy as a Bridge Between Ocean Plastic Pollution and Community Prosperity

Mr. Roshan Bandari, Director for Sustainability and Partnerships, RiverRecycle

15.30

15.40

Business Case Spotlight & QA: Transforming the way textiles are manufactured

15.50

16.00

Business Case Spotlight & QA: Extending equipment lifecycles: building-as-a-service for Southeast Asia

Mr. Penpisith Chunprom, Managing Director, KONE Thailand

16.00

16.30

Facilitated Discussion: What will it take to scale these models in ASEAN?

ACSDSD, NSTDA, UNIDO

16.30

16.40

Closing Session – Closing Remarks

16.40

17.30

Cocktail networking

Organised jointly by the EU CERC and

Sininen pyöreä logo, jonka keskellä on valkoinen leijona-tunnus. Sen alla on harmaalla tekstillä: Suomen suurlähetystö Bangkok..

The EU CERC is funded by

and operated by

The European Union Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) is a joint initiative of the European Commission, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Belgian agency for international cooperation Enabel. The centre aims to promote circular economy collaboration between the EU and partner countries in the Global South and to increase the uptake of circular economy policies and business models globally.

Contact us

Kai Tuorila, kai@netpointsea.com

Pitkä vaaleatukkainen nainen, jolla on vaaleanvihreä pusero ja hopeiset kaulakorut, hymyilee kameralle mustaa taustaa vasten.

Marleena Ahonen

Specialist, Global Circular Economy