WEINHEIM - Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel has launched its House of Sustainability, a new initiative designed to assist customers in enhancing the sustainability of their products.
With this initiative, Freudenberg says it is making its entire portfolio of sustainable solutions visible and transparent with customers able to find more than 500 sustainable and innovative solutions for a comprehensive range of applications in the apparel industry.
“Sustainability is a mission and driving force for us," said John McNabb, chief technology officer, Freudenberg Performance Materials. "We initiate sustainable programs at global and regional level and are constantly innovating globally available sustainable solutions. Many examples bear witness to our forward-looking efforts. To name just a few highlights, we are, for example, pioneers in recycling PET bottles, and commissioned our first recycling plant back in 1991. We developed the first biodegradable nonwoven interlinings in 1995. And today, we recycle more than 2.5 billion post-consumer PER bottles per year.”
The foundation for the Freudenberg House of Sustainability is made up of four elements: Certifications & Regulations, Raw Materials, Technology and Carbon Footprint along with support for seven pillars
The 4 elements making up the foundation are
Certifications & Regulations - Freudenberg is certified to definitive standards. These include the following: BCI, bluesign, C2C Gold, ECO-CHECK, Global Recycled Standard, Higg Index, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 9001, Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, REACH and Restricted Substances List.
Raw Materials - Freudenberg uses sustainable raw materials to develop solutions. These materials are, for example, free from environmentally harmful substances (Azo & APEO, PFC), recycled, natural-based or biodegradable.
Technology - Freudenberg uses cutting-edge technologies in its manufacturing processes in order to minimize the impact on the environment, such as energy harvesting technologies, zero liquid discharge, and monitoring systems.
Carbon Footprint - Based on its Values & Principles, Freudenberg is committed to reducing its carbon footprint worldwide. The company plans to generate some 25% of its sales in the apparel industry from sustainable products by 2025.
The 7 pillars of the Freudenberg House of Sustainability
Recycled general interlinings - Interlinings made from recycled polyester. By recycling post-consumer PET bottles, Freudenberg is not only minimizing its carbon footprint, but is also helping its customers to manufacture more sustainable garments by choosing sustainable components.
Recyclable interlinings - Interlinings made from 100% polyamide 6. These interlinings can be recycled indefinitely for a consistent closed-loop economy.
Energy-saving interlinings - Interlinings with an innovative adhesive that reduces the fuse-line temperature. This saves energy during fusing and speeds up the fusing process, thereby increasing output.
Biodegradable interlinings & thermal insulations - Thermal insulations and interlinings that are made of cellulose and cotton and are 100% biodegradable in soil. The energy-efficient production process for these interlinings is free from water-endangering raw materials and toxic substances.
Sustainable cotton interlinings - Interlinings made from certified sustainable cotton. Certifications include Cradle to Cradle, Global Organic Textile Standard, Organic 100 and others.
Nature-based interlinings - Interlinings wholly or partly derived from renewable and sustainable sources such as trees, wool, silk, and animal hair such as horsehair.
Recycled thermal insulations & linings - Thermal insulations and linings made from recycled polyester offering premium softness, warmth retention and extreme wear comfort for sportswear.
The House of Sustainability will be launched worldwide over a 12-week period. Each week, Freudenberg will post in-depth information about the elements and pillars on several channels. The complete House of Sustainability will be presented at ISPO Munich 2022.
