VIATALENTA GROUP ANNOUNCES ITS FORMAL PARTICIPATION IN THE HORIZON 2020-MSCA-RISE 2018 FISHSKIN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME
The Board of ViaTalenta Group is delighted to announce its inclusion in the Horizon 2020-Marie Sklodowska – Curie Actions (MSCA) – Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) 2018 FISHSkin programme. This is an extension of the Group’s strategy and investments in Sustainable Products and Materials Science.
Fish skin is currently seen as a by-product of the fishing and aquaculture industry that creates large waste management and environmental challenges. However for the past 6000 years, indigenous communities around the world have been transforming fish skin into leather and creating clothing from it. The 2018 FISHSkin programme seeks to develop fish leather as a sustainable raw material for today’s fashion industry to reduce the environmental impact of the industry, strengthen the move towards more sustainable materials, and promote job creation across the supply chain.
The Group will continue to contribute both its scientific expertise through its Turtle Labs Group entity, as well as its practical experience and knowledge through ViaTalenta Collections on designing and producing fish leather products that meet the fashion industry’s requirements. The programme is expected to be completed by 2023.
“We are delighted to welcome ViaTalenta Group as a new partner in the FISHSkin Horizon 2020 consortium, and look forward to integrating their strong scientific and social implementation capabilities. Our goal of using fish skin as a sustainable material for the fashion industry requires the development of new technologies and to creatively work together to find more sustainable practices within the industry. ViaTalenta’s expertise and diversity of knowledge will undoubtedly contribute to making this endeavour an exciting and feasible reality.”
Ayelet Karmon, M.Arch, FISHSkin Project Coordinator, Shenkar – Engineering. Design. Art; and Managing Director, CIRTex – The David & Barbara Blumenthal Israel Center for Innovation and Research in Textiles
“Research and innovation are essential components to address the pressing sustainability changes needed across sectors. The Group believes that the unique opportunities generated by private and public organisations working closely together on practical solutions will move the fashion, tanning and aquaculture industries towards more sustainable practices.”
Georgio Pauen, CEO ViaTalenta Group