Kering commends eco-minded startups in Shanghai
Paris-based luxury group Kering recently hosted its second Kering Generation Award ceremony in Shanghai alongside Chinese business innovation platform Plug and Play China.
The prize-giving took place at the newly opened Museum of Art Pudong, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel’s studio, which is located in the central business district to the east of the city’s Huangpu River.
Following a six-month selection process, three Chinese-operated startups were picked. Peelsphere, founded by Youyang Song and based in Berlin, placed first and therefore received €100,000 (just under $115,000) in prize money, while Chengdu’s Otex came second and Beijing’s Zeno Technology was awarded third place.
Peelsphere is well-regarded for its biomaterials engineering, harnessing renewable algae and both plant and fruit waste to create what Kering described as an “innovative material”. Meanwhile, Otex is especially known for its work with organic silk and on soil health, whereas Zeno “uses new generation biotechnology to cover the whole process from dye production to printing”, according to the luxury group.
Chief sustainability and institutional affairs officer at Kering, Marie-Claire Daveu, commented that the company was proud to support what she called a new generation of talent in China with the award. Its Greater China president, Cai Jinqing, added that supporting developments within the sustainable fashion sphere might be considered the business' "duty" as an industry leader.
Ms Cai concluded: “I am happy to say this year’s award has seen a renewed sense of impressive innovations in biodiversity and conservation.”
Image: Kering.
