Design smartBetter processes
Better processes
In addition to choosing more sustainable materials, together with our suppliers, the chemical industry and our environmental management team, we examine ways to improve the production processes behind the materials we use.
More sustainable processes are based on a reducing the amount of water, chemicals and energy used during production and processing, and ensuring that each step is safe for our workers as well as the environment.
Water based synthetic leather
Target: 100% water based synthetic leather by 2025
Remark: We have just started in FY17/18 to change from conventional Polyurethane to water based Polyurethane
Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Synthetic leather, which is generally polyurethane-based, allows us to create leather-like products without using material derived from an animal. However, manufacturing of conventional polyurethane (PU) requires a solvent called dimethylformamide (DMF), which can be hazardous for workers and can pollute the environment. We are working to shift our production from conventional polyurethane to water-based polyurethane which does not require DMF.
To learn more about our research work on DMF-free synthetic leather, please read our case study.
Chrome-free tanned leather
Target: 30% of our leather is tanned using a chrome-free tanning process by July 2021
Remark: We have just started to transition to alternative tanning methods; our first chrome-free tanned styles were available in spring 2018
Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Leather tanning is a chemically complex process. Around 85-90% of leather undergoes chrome tanning. However, if this process is not carried out properly, chromium (III) may, in certain circumstances, give rise to chromium (VI), which is hazardous to the environment and potentially to customers. We are working toward safer leather tanning in several ways.
- We are supporting our suppliers to conduct proper chrome tanning, which reduces the risk of chromium (VI) development. We have developed special capacity assessments for leather tanneries and provide guidelines for the prevention of chromium (VI) to ensure that the tanneries understand how to conduct proper tanning.
- We are also working to introduce chrome-free alternatives to tanning, such as vegetable tanning and reactive tanning; we continue to monitor these processes for proper and safe implementation while ensuring the leather quality expected by our customers.
We conducted intensive research on alternative tanning processes. The results can be found in our case study.
PFC free products
100 % of our products are PFC free. We are PFC-free since December 2014.
Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Since December 2014, we have eliminated poly- and perfluorinated carbons (PFCs) from the manufacturing process of our water-repellent products. All water-repellent products are made without per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) since then.
PFCs are used for producing water-repellent surfaces on garments. As they decompose very slowly, they are known for polluting the environment. Therefore, through intensive research and trials, we have succeeded to switch to safer alternatives.
You can read more about our research in our PFC substitution case study.
Less water, less chemicals, better denim
Target: 50% of our denim is rated "low impact"* by 2021
Baseline FY 17/18: 33 % of our denim range is rated “low impact” because it has a lower footprint in terms of water, chemicals, and/or energy.
*We are using the Environmental Impact Measuring software by Jeanologia(™)
Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals
We are working very closely with our suppliers together to develop more sustainable denim. Our suppliers use innovative techniques, such as laser, ozone and “nano bubble” technology, to reduce the use of water, chemicals and energy during production. We also use a software system developed by Jeanologia(™), the Environmental Impact Measuring (EIM) system, to help us assess and reduce the footprint of our products. EIM evaluates water consumption, energy consumption, chemical use and worker health during production. We use the information from this program to identify more sustainable washes and to create more sustainable denim garments.