From the Sector

ReHubs, the European textile recycling alliance, is announcing today a change in its daily leadership: Robert van de Kerkhof is taking over as interim CEO from Chris Deloof, who returns to Ghent University after 2 years of successful engagement with the organisation.
 
ReHubs chairman, Alain Poincheval thanked Chris for bringing the organisation up to speed, which now includes over 30 member companies, including European brands, textile manufacturers, collectors and recyclers. Robert brings 30 years of experience from the textile industry, and has shown commitment to build a circular textile value chain in Europe through his earlier assignments. His engagement secures the continuity of ReHubs to scale up textile recycling capacity in Europe.

HeiQ announces the appointment of Robert van de Kerkhof as Non-Executive Director, with effect from 1 January 2024 to the board of HeiQ plc and as Chairman of the Environmental, Occupation, Health & Safety and Sustainability Committee. Robert will also be appointed to the board of HeiQ AeoniQ Holding AG (in Switzerland), a subsidiary of HeiQ plc.

Robert van de Kerkhof has over 30 years of experience in general management and sustainability leadership and extensive knowledge of the textiles industry, including cellulosic fiber technology. He founded PEPPER-i2, an advisory company specializing in sustainability and circularity. Robert also serves as the Chief Sustainability Officer and as a Board Member of Lenzing AG, a position he has held since 2014. Robert will be leaving Lenzing and its Board on the 31st. December 2023.

Robert joins HEIQ AeoniQ™ with the firm belief that the novel HEIQ AeoniQ™ man-made cellulosic fibers (MMCF) are one of the most promising solutions to transform the textile industry, now the second-most polluting in the world, into one of the most sustainable, by rendering fossil fuel-based fibers like polyester obsolete.

Robert has also held senior positions as President of the Austrian Fiber Institute, President and Board Member of CIRFS – the European Man-made Fibres Association, and Chairman of the ReHubs Business Council for Euratex, which is the voice of the European Apparel and Textile Industry.