NEWS RELEASE

SDC Sponsors Sustainability Competition

Supporting students to become more aware of the issues surrounding sustainable textiles

The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) – the world’s leading chartered society, professional body and educational charity devoted entirely to colour – is sponsoring a new competition, organised by the newly-formed RITE Group, to help students become more aware of the issues surrounding sustainable textiles. The sponsorship will support a number of students to attend the RITE Group conference to be held in London 10 October 2007, which will feature speakers from Levi Strauss, Patagonia, Marks & Spencer and Timberland.

The international student competition, entitled ‘A sustainable future for textiles,’ will be based on a 1000 word essay and is open to any student registered as undergraduate or postgraduate. Judges from the RITE Group and the SDC will decide the winners of an overseas prize (worth £700) and a UK prize (worth £500). The overall winner will receive £700 travelling expenses (if from overseas) to attend the conference, plus two nights accommodation. A further 20 places will be available for students as part of the sponsorship package.

Comments Ken McGhee, SDC chief executive and general secretary, ‘The issues of environment and sustainability are themes and topics which are of considerable concern and interest to our members, patrons and supporters throughout the global textile supply chain. We are delighted to be sponsoring this initiative as part of our ongoing encouragement and support for young people in the textiles sector.’

Dr Richard Blackburn, RITE Group treasurer, added, ‘This is a great opportunity for the designers, technologists and academics of the future to have an impact on the future of sustainability right now.’ Prizes will be awarded based on the best papers submitted. For full details and an application form, please visit: www.ritegroup.org. Entries must be sent to Dr Richard Blackburn by post, fax or email by 31 August 2007.

For more information about this release contact the SDC press office.