Desso® Participates in Circular Economy Debate at World Economic Forum's 'Summer Davos' in China

WAALWIJK, The Netherlands, September 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Desso, a leading global carpets, carpet tiles and sports pitches company is participating in discussions on the transition to the circular economy at the 'Summer Davos' meeting held in Dalian, the People's Republic of China, organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) during 11-13 September.

It is the seventh World Economic Forum meeting held in China since the 'Summer Davos' was launched. The Chinese 'Summer Davos' now is a regular annual feature alongside the European annual summit organised by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland at the beginning of every year.

This year the delegates will be discussing the benefits and challenges of making the transition to the circular economy - considered increasingly by many experts as a more sustainable and restorative economic model suited to the 21^st century.

The Annual Meeting of the New Champions was developed by the World Economic Forum to build on its successful annual meeting in Davos and extend the global discussion among business and political leaders to one of the fastest growing economic regions in the world. It is today the foremost global business gathering in Asia. It creates a unique opportunity for discussion between leaders from top-ranked multinationals and CEO's of dynamic and fast-growing companies, including key decision-makers from government, media, academia and civil society.

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Desso executives Alexander Collot d'Escury (CEO) Roland Jonkhoff (Managing Director) and Andrew Sibley (Regional Managing Director) will participate as delegates and speakers.

As a Cradle to Cradle^® practitioner of the circular economy, Desso will be able to offer practical insights into making the transition to the circular economy at two key discussions on the topic, one of which will be led by CEO Alexander Collot d'Escury.

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to share our knowledge with other business leaders and thinkers, helping all of us move closer to a more environmentally responsible and commercially sound business model," says Desso CEO Alexander Collot d'Escury. "Discussion of the circular economy is particularly timely given the need to tackle major environmental issues in China such as extreme air pollution^[1]," Collot d'Escury adds. "China's rates of asthma, for example, have shot up in recent years due to indoor air pollution^[2] and it will be good to be able to discuss how businesses can contribute to better health and wellbeing through product innovations like the DESSO AirMaster^® - created with the specific purpose of reducing fine dust in the air indoors."

On Thursday, 12 September there will be a private session on "Scaling up the Circular Economy" at which Desso and other business leaders will discuss a new report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Economic Forum (produced with the support of McKinsey & Co) that looks into how to catalyse the circular economy at scale.

Following this on Friday, 13 September, Desso CEO Alexander Collot d'Escury will be one of the discussion leaders at a meeting on "The Circular Economy in Application", exploring how organisations are making the transition. Other speakers include Peter Lacy (Managing Director, Strategy & Sustainability Services, Asia Pacific Accenture); Ma Jun (Director, Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs); and Tim Wang (Senior VP & GM, Greater China, Ecolab (China) Investment Co. Ltd.). It will be facilitated by Dominic Waughray, Senior Director, Head of Environmental Initiatives, World Economic Forum.

For more information go to: http://www.weforum.org/events/annual-meeting-new-champions-2013

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1. The East is Grey, The Economist, August 10th, 2013.

2. Lua Wilkinson, China's Asthma Problem Is Bad - and Growing Worse, The Atlantic, June 2013.

SOURCE Desso Group BV