Behind The Label: Materials Have a Story. Data Tells It.
Every material has a story. Where it came from, how it was made, how it performs and where it ends up.
As product rules, customer expectations and supply chains evolve, that story is becoming just as important as the material itself.
Delivered in partnership with Clothing Connected and CircKit, this curated Future of Materials roundtable will bring together founders, product teams, manufacturers, brands, designers, material innovators and researchers to explore how material data is transforming traceability, circularity and product decision making.
Following on from our Slow Fashion Week event with Brighton Fashion Collective on 24 September, Behind The Label goes deeper into one of the biggest questions facing product businesses today: how do we understand the full story behind the materials we use?
Together, we’ll look at how businesses can better understand what sits behind their products, prepare for future requirements such as Digital Product Passports, and turn material intelligence into practical action.
Applications close on Wednesday 21st October 2026
About this roundtable
This roundtable is designed to connect businesses and organisations working across products, materials, fashion, manufacturing, design, supply chains, data and circularity.
Through small group discussions and expert-led conversation, attendees will explore why material data is becoming increasingly important, how traceability is changing product and supply chain decisions, and what businesses need to consider as circular design, product transparency and Digital Product Passports become more relevant.
Together, we will explore:
- Why material data is becoming as valuable as the material itself
- How businesses can build better traceability across products and supply chains
- What Digital Product Passports and emerging product rules could mean in practice
- How data can support circular design and end-of-life decision making
- Where collaboration is needed between brands, manufacturers, recyclers and technology providers
- How material intelligence can create commercial and competitive advantage
Why attend the roundtable
This session is designed to move beyond broad sustainability conversation and create a practical discussion about what material transparency, product data and circularity mean for businesses in practice. Attendees will:
- Explore how material data is changing the way products are designed, made, managed and kept in circulation
- Understand why traceability is becoming increasingly important across products and supply chains
- Discuss what Digital Product Passports and emerging product rules could mean for brands, manufacturers and product teams
- Share challenges and compare approaches with peers working across materials, products, fashion, circularity and supply chains
- Identify where collaboration is needed between brands, manufacturers, recyclers, researchers and technology providers
- Build relationships with Plus X Innovation, Clothing Connected, CircKit and the wider Future of Materials community
Agenda
13:45 – 14:00 | Arrival and welcome
14:00– 14:10 | Welcome and introduction, overview of the session, format and purpose
14:10 – 15:00 | Roundtable discussions, interactive discussions across themed tables
15:00 – 15:15 | Reflections from the room, key insights and shared takeaways
15:15 – 15:45 | Panel discussion with expert led conversation exploring key themes and opportunities
15:45 – 16:00 | Q&A
16:00 – 16:30 | Next steps and networking
Roundtable discussion topics
Why is material data becoming increasingly important for product businesses?
How can businesses build clearer visibility across products, suppliers and materials?
What could Digital Product Passports mean in practice?
How can better material data support circularity?
Where do brands, manufacturers, recyclers, researchers and technology providers need to work together?
For more infomation visit Mayor of London and GOV.
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