Thermore, a Milan-based company and leader in the field of thermal insulation for clothing, announces the launch of Ecodown Fibers Sync – a revolutionary free fibre whose core is made of dual performance fibres, carefully designed to offer impalpable softness and exceptional resilience. The result is a new generation of padding that prevents the fibres from clumping together – a rare combination that ensures volume and comfort even after numerous washes, and which suits both technical garments with clean lines and more structured, voluminous silhouettes. True to its tradition, Thermore also takes a further step towards a more sustainable future with Ecodown Fibers Sync. Made entirely from 100% recycled fibres from post-consumer PET bottles, this innovative material testifies to the brand’s ongoing commitment to more responsible design. Ecodown Fibers Sync is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified, guaranteeing the authenticity of recycled materials and traceability throughout the production chain. In addition, it boasts Bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifications, which ensure the absence of harmful substances and compliance with the strictest environmental and human health safety criteria.

As the brand name itself recalls, Natuura™ searches in nature and its respect for creative innovation, for sustainable production in the field of fashion. Always characterised by a focus on innovation, sustainability and commitment to the environment, the company has more than 30 years of experience in the production of plant-based natural rubber products for the world’s leading brands and today is a leader in the vertically integrated production and distribution of 100% FSC™-certified, regenerative and sustainable plant-based natural rubber leather.

Natuura™’s mission is to provide sustainable and creatively flexible plant-based materials that have the look, feel and performance of leather, with the goal of making sustainability scalable and accessible in the apparel, footwear, accessories, transportation and interior design markets.

Among the top biobased leather products offered by Natuura is Terrene Mat™ (91% USDA Biobased Certification), which meets the highest standards of sustainability while offering a particularly deep embossed texture.

Another top product is Lucida Mat™, which offers high levels of biobased with customised colours, metallics, printed patterns and more in 132 cm wide continuous rolls.

The project stems from Satorisan’s desire to safeguard one of the planet’s most vital and fragile ecosystems, supporting local indigenous communities, custodians of ancient knowledge and a spiritual bond with the forest, and promoting the conservation of the Amazon’s unique biodiversity. The project’s name is inspired by the Chacrona leaf, a sacred plant used by the indigenous tribes of the Amazon to connect body and spirit. A symbol of deep harmony and spirituality that embodies Satorisan’s commitment to restoring the balance between the human being and the Earth, a philosophy that inspired the name of one of the brand’s most iconic models, which is now a best-seller.

Since 2021, Satorisan has been collaborating with the NGO Guardianes de Vida and the indigenous Huni Kuin population of Brazil’s Tarauacá region through a programme that has already seen the planting of over 19,500 trees, including fruit and medicinal species. This concrete commitment aims to regenerate the forest with indigenous plants, protect the culture and values of the local communities and improve living conditions through projects related to water, environmental education and health training.

EcoVadis is one of the most reliable and internationally recognised corporate social responsibility rating systems, measuring the ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance of more than 130,000 companies worldwide. Save The Duck achieved an overall score of 86%, with particularly strong results in the areas of Environment (77), Labour and Human Rights (74), Ethics (62) and Sustainable Procurement (61). The award places the company among the 15% of companies with the highest scores globally among those assessed in the last 12 months by the international sustainability rating platform.

‘The EcoVadis rating represents an important confirmation of the path that Save The Duck has been taking for years to integrate sustainability within every aspect of its business model,’ – comments Silvia Mazzanti, Sustainability Manager of the brand. ‘This result not only honours us, but stimulates us to continue to improve in terms of transparency, traceability and positive impact throughout the production chain.’

With this medal, the company – known for its whistling duck logo – consolidates its position as a sustainability-conscious company, reconfirming its commitment to building a more ethical and circular future.

Founded in 1993 as a family business, Icemen actually traces its roots back much further, to World War II, with the production of handmade shoes at home. In 2000, it abandoned shoe production to focus on foot care products, based on the premise that comfort is the heart of a great shoe.”Since then, we’ve dedicated ourselves to developing insoles that offer the best possible comfort, tailored to different shoe molds and needs. We realized that a shoe must be comfortable above all, and we wanted to be the ones who support that comfort from the inside,” says Mr Cahiz Er, representing the current generation of the Icemen family.

Your business includes insoles, shoe care products and accessories (shoe horns etc.): how did you develop such a diversified range of products?

“After we stopped producing shoes, our long-time customers—our “masters” in the trade—began showing interest in the insoles we were producing. Over time, they started requesting additional shoe-related accessories that were hard to find on the market. Our growth has always been customer-driven: they trust us, and we respond to their needs by developing new, high-quality products that fill gaps in the market”

What are your main markets today?

“Our core market remains the shoe industry—it’s where we were born and raised. As comfort remains our guiding principle, we are increasingly focusing on the medical sector. Pharmacies and healthcare providers have started to prefer our products for their ergonomic and supportive qualities. We’re currently developing new footcare products that target specific areas of the foot needing support, with a strong focus on medical applications”

You have participated for the second time in Expo Riva Schuh in Riva del Garda: why did you choose a finished product fair like this one?

Not attending Expo Riva Schuh in previous years was a missed opportunity. This century-old fair is one of the best platforms to connect with shoe retailers and end-users. Our products belong in shoe shops, and this expo is a key way for us to meet the right customers from all over the world. With over 20 years of experience in local and international trade fairs, we have visited and taken part in many events, but Expo Riva Schuh stands out in the trade fair scene: it attracts high-quality visitors who know exactly what they are looking for, and this makes it a precious tool.  At Expo Riva Schuh we meet buyers from large chain shops with over 10 outlets, as well as re-establish relationships with long-standing partners. In addition to the fair in Riva del Garda, we participate in more than six fairs a year, including AYMOD, AYSAF, EXPOMED and other local fairs”.

What are your future plans?

“Our vision is to expand the Icemen brand and product range, first across Europe and then globally. We aim to increase brand recognition and participate in as many fairs as possible to meet new partners and introduce more people to the comfort of Icemen products.The company aiming to make “Icemen” a go-to name for foot comfort around the world”.

BUFF®, the world leader in headwear and neckwear for outdoor adventurers, announces its first collaboration with VEJA, a trainer brand known for its use of eco-friendly materials and its commitment to the environment. The BUFF® x VEJA reinvents VEJA’s iconic Fitz Roy hiking shoe, combining functionality and vibrant colours that celebrate the spirit of adventure and the authentic beauty of Brazilian nature. The result is a shoe that not only offers durability, comfort and grip on the ground, but also stands out for its bold styling and use of recycled materials, remaining true to the two companies’ values of building a more responsible future: the Trek-Shell upper is made of 100% recycled polyester and has a long-lasting PFC-free water repellent treatment, the midsole features 52% sugarcane and 3% Amazonian rubber, and the outsole is made of 31% Amazonian rubber. To complete the collaboration, BUFF® created a collection of accessories inspired by the vibrant colours of Brazilian nature, consisting of neck warmers, headbands and caps.