CHEMICALS

Our raw fabrics are finished in the dye works, because hotel guests expect clean textiles in brilliant, long-lasting white. We also supply the healthcare sector with boil-proof and chlorine-resistant colours. Proper handling and the use of environmentally friendly chemicals are especially important to us.

WHERE EXACTLY DO PROBLEMS WITH CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT ARISE?

In developing and newly industrialising countries, wastewater from dye works is often discharged untreated into rivers and returned to the water cycle. Chemical residues damage the environment and threaten the ecological balance. This causes diseases to spread among the residents who use the contaminated water as drinking water.

At textile companies, improper handling, inappropriate storage and inadequate labelling of chemicals lead to accidents. Residues of harmful chemicals in textiles are also suspected of causing skin irritation or serious illnesses.

WHAT SOLUTION DO WE ALREADY OFFER TODAY?

The OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label guarantees that materials have been tested for harmful substances and produced in environmentally friendly factories and in safe and socially responsible workplaces. As proof, textiles must fulfil the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and the production facilities must be certified in accordance with Sustainable Textile Production OEKO-TEX® STeP. The latter also offers a high level of transparency, as the production companies and countries can be traced via a product ID.

As part of a joint project with a Pakistani supplier, training courses in chemicals management were held. The aim of the project was the successful OEKO-TEX® STeP certification of the production partner, which the supplier received with good results. The OEKO-TEX® STeP certification system enables us to take an integrated view of production, combined with a dynamic improvement process.