Portuguese Soul has returned to RTP2 for its third season. Hosted by Gisela João, the documentary series, produced by APICCAPS in partnership with RTP, once again invites viewers on a journey of discovery through the materials of the future and the people driving their development, exploring innovation, sustainability and the expertise that define Portuguese Fashion and footwear industries in each episode.

What defines a material and what impact does it have on society? How will the materials of the future be produced, and what transformations are reshaping the industry? These are some of the questions explored throughout the four episodes of the new season, with sustainability serving as the common thread.

The first episode, which premiered on June 28 and is now available on RTP Play, reveals how food waste, such as chestnut shells and olive stones, together with forest resources including pine resin, can be transformed into raw materials for the footwear industry.

The second episode airs on Sunday, July 5, at 9.00 pm, and focuses on leather, exploring how this material can be reimagined to reduce its environmental footprint through chemical-free tanning processes and the development of solutions that could make it biodegradable once again.

The third episode, scheduled for July 12, at 9.00 pm, centres on rubber, a material widely used in the footwear industry for its durability and resilience. It examines the solutions being developed to reduce the environmental impact of this raw material and explores how rubber can once again become bio-based.

The fourth and final episode concludes this journey through the materials of the future and the role of the bioeconomy in the Fashion and footwear industries. Its theme will be announced by RTP and APICCAPS in due course.

“Portuguese Soul is one of the most interesting projects I have ever been involved in. Sharing knowledge is incredibly rewarding. I like to think that we are introducing audiences to the hands and faces behind the industry, helping us all become more aware of the impact of our everyday choices. Portuguese Soul is for everyone, not just for a few, and that is something truly special,” says Gisela João.

“Our partnership with RTP is an excellent example of successful collaboration between the public and private sectors.”, says Paulo Gonçalves, Executive Director of APICCAPS. “Through this series, we have secured around ten hours of television programming dedicated to bioeconomy-related topics, helping to increase both the visibility of and the public debate around this strategic agenda.”, he adds.

Supported by Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) through the Bioshoes4All project, Portuguese Soul continues to showcase the innovation, research and expertise that are driving Portuguese Fashion and footwear industries towards a more sustainable future.

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