Photo: Mitutoyo

Sustainability Manager at MCH A/S, Maria Galmstrup, with one of the Ice Hockey World Championship banners, which are now being turned into bags to be used at EuroSkills. Photo: MCH.

An unconventional yet eco-friendly collaboration is turning waste into value: 500 used banners from the Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning are now being transformed into volunteer bags for EuroSkills Herning 2025.

When EuroSkills Herning 2025 takes place at MCH Messecenter Herning from 10–12 September, it will not only be the European Championship for 597 young skilled professionals from across the continent. It will also stand as a concrete example of how large-scale events can take responsibility for the environment.

In partnership with MCH, the Ice Hockey World Championship, and local business Heartbeat Studio, EuroSkills Herning 2025 is reusing colourful banners from the recent ice hockey tournament – turning them into 500 unique and durable bags for use by the event’s volunteers.

An example of the Ice Hockey World Championship / EuroSkills bags created by Heartbeat Studio. Press photo.

“Each bag serves not just a practical function but also tells a story of collaboration, reuse, and environmental awareness. It’s a tangible example of how major events can think differently and take responsibility,” says Henrik Kjeldsen, Director of EuroSkills Herning 2025.

The bags are being produced locally by Heartbeat Studio, based in Herning/Bording, using materials donated by MCH and the Ice Hockey World Championship organisers. The project represents a fusion of sustainable innovation and local engagement.

The initiative reflects both EuroSkills Herning 2025’s green values and MCH’s commitment to prolonging the life of materials and reducing waste through creative solutions.

“Instead of letting materials go to waste, we find new ways to use them – to benefit both the environment and the communities we build around our events,” says Maria Galmstrup, Sustainability Manager at MCH A/S.

The bags will be in use during the event itself, but they will also stand as lasting symbols of this green collaboration – and of how circular economy thinking can make a real difference when sustainability is integrated from the very beginning.

Photo: PPG

At PPG, sustainability is not just a goal – it’s embedded in how they operate, innovate and grow. With more than 140 years of expertise in paints, coatings and specialty materials, PPG is committed to delivering solutions that protect and beautify the world. From supporting the communities where we live and work, to developing products and processes that help mitigate environmental impacts and solve customers’ biggest challenges.  

As a ”Premium Sponsor of WorldSkills Europe” at EuroSkills Herning 2025, PPG is proud to support the next generation of skilled professionals through sustainable innovation and local engagement. During the competition in the Painting and Decorating Competition, participants will work with SIGMA COATINGS™ paints by PPG – products specifically selected for their performance and sustainability credentials – and PROGOLD™ sundries. 

“Supporting EuroSkills Herning 2025 reflects our strong commitment to sustainability, workforce development and helping young professionals thrive,” said Torben Beck, PPG general manager, North Europe and China, Architectural Coatings. 

Water-based, eco-certified products 

All paints and primers used during the competition are water-based – a standard aligned with PPG’s commitment to environmental responsibility and professional performance. These sustainably advantaged products from Sigma Coatings portfolio include Wallprimer Plus, an EU Ecolabel-certified base coat packaged in containers made from 90% recycled plastic, and Sigmacryl 5, also EU Ecolabel-certified, is a high-opacity matte topcoat ideal for a clean, washable finish.  

As a global company, PPG recognizes that sustainability must be both scalable and local. In Denmark, PPG employs more than 300 people across multiple sites, including their manufacturing facility in Søborg, near Copenhagen. This strong local presence ensures that customers benefit from shorter supply chains and regionally made products that reflect global innovation and local needs. 

In 2023, PPG committed to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The PPG 2024 Sustainability Report highlights significant progress against these and other targets, including a 41% of sales from sustainably advantaged products*, an 18% reduction in GHG emissions in PPG’s own operations, and a 28% reduction in water intensity at priority sites. 

Commitment to education and workforce development

PPG is equally committed to building a more sustainable future through education. Through programs like COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® initiative and investments in STEM and workforce development, PPG supports students in discovering rewarding careers in fields such as decorative painting, refinishing and advanced manufacturing. In 2024, PPG Global Giving and the PPG Foundation donated $18.4 million (120 mil. DKK) to nonprofit partners worldwide.

PPG’s involvement in EuroSkills Herning 2025 is a continuation of this commitment – ensuring that young professionals not only showcase their talent, but also gain hands-on experience with high-performing, sustainably advantaged products. By partnering with WorldSkills Europe, PPG aims to inspire sustainable innovation, elevate vocational education, and foster lasting local impact – exceeding PPG’s three-year, $2 million (13 million DKK) workforce development commitment through the end of 2025 ahead of schedule.

* Sustainably advantaged products which are defined using PPG’s internal methodology that validates product attributes and their contribution towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. While many of our products have sustainable attributes in their end-use that promote longevity of customer assets, we consider products sustainably advantaged when they contribute to improved environmental outcomes or provide relative improvements over industry benchmarks.

When EuroSkills Herning 2025 takes place in September, it will do so with a strong focus on sustainability. With the new sustainable initiative, LOOP, material waste from the competitions will be reduced, and waste will be handled more responsibly before, during, and after the event.

The Volunteer ‘Loopers’

In addition to recycling and donating materials from the competitions, the LOOP project also actively involves vocational school students from across the country. These students will be recruited as ‘Loopers’ and will go through both a digital learning program and a physical workshop on waste sorting during the event’s setup days. Here, they will gain knowledge and skills in sustainability and proper waste management.

The project is made possible thanks to a grant of DKK 3.38 million from the philanthropic association Realdania, ensuring that EuroSkills Herning 2025 sets new standards for sustainable events. This makes Realdania an official EuroSkills 2025 Event Partner.

Project Manager at Realdania, Vera Noldus, states:

“The skilled trades play a crucial role in the green transition, and it is therefore important for us to support a movement where circularity becomes the norm. With LOOP, EuroSkills Herning 2025 can not only reduce its resource consumption but also inspire participants, contributors, and visitors to rethink material consumption and waste management.”

Circular Economy, Afterlife, and Sustainable Procurement Lists

EuroSkills Herning 2025 recognizes the climate challenges the world faces. Previous Skills events have not placed much focus on the ‘afterlife’ of materials and equipment, but with LOOP, an important step is taken towards a more circular economy.

CEO of EuroSkills 2025, Henrik Kjeldsen, states:

“The LOOP project is an obvious initiative that perfectly aligns with the green direction we have chosen with our slogan: ‘Skilled for a greener future’.

We are very pleased that Realdania has made it possible to realize the project, allowing us to promote sustainability and circular economy at EuroSkills Herning 2025.”

LOOP takes action already in the planning phase by reducing and regulating procurement lists in collaboration with the participating European countries. This ensures that materials are purchased in the right quantities and with a strong focus on sustainability and waste reduction.

In fact, all stakeholders at EuroSkills Herning 2025 will be part of this sustainable approach. Competitors, exhibitors, suppliers, and stand staff will be instructed in the LOOP project’s waste management procedures, ensuring that sustainability becomes a collective effort across the event.

Green Inspiration for Future Events

The LOOP project is not just about making EuroSkills Herning 2025 greener – it aims to set a new standard for sustainable events across Europe.

The experiences and evaluations from the project will be passed on to EuroSkills Düsseldorf 2027, SkillsDenmark, and WorldSkillsEurope, enabling them to benefit from the knowledge generated.

Press release issued on April 1, 2025.