Coats, a leading industrial thread manufacturer, has been recognised for its outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability and diversity in leadership.
The Just Style Excellence Awards honor the most significant achievements and innovations in the apparel and textile industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognise the people and companies leading change and shaping the future of the industry.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The company won the Environmental award for its significant advancements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrating sustainable practices across its operations. Additionally, Coats received the Diversity award for its successful initiatives in increasing female representation in senior leadership roles and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
Environmental sustainability initiatives: A commitment to a greener future
Coats has made impressive strides in its sustainability initiatives, setting a new standard for the apparel and textile industry with its comprehensive approach. The company has achieved a remarkable 51% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing its 2026 target ahead of schedule. This accomplishment highlights Coats’ commitment to lowering its carbon footprint and moving towards a more sustainable energy model. In 2024, 74% of the electricity used by Coats was certified by Renewable Energy Certificates, reflecting its dedication to renewable energy and paving the way for the goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
Coats has made significant progress in integrating low impact materials into its products. The company has increased its use of low impact textile materials from 31% in 2022 to 46% in 2024, and it aims to reach a target of 60% by 2026. This transition not only reduces dependence on virgin oil-based inputs but also aligns with global efforts to minimise environmental impact.
Additionally, Coats is investing in bio-based materials and has established a Sustainability Hub in India. This hub serves as a centre for developing new materials that are both environmentally friendly and commercially viable, ensuring that Coats stays at the forefront of sustainable innovation.
Water management and waste reduction are also key pillars of Coats’ sustainability strategy. The company has implemented advanced water recycling systems, achieving a 17% increase in the recycling rate and reducing water consumption by over 7 million cubic meters over five years. These efforts ensure responsible consumption and minimal impact on local water resources. Coats is also on track to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2025, having reduced landfill waste by 87% from the 2022 baseline. This commitment to circularity is further exemplified by the development of circular product and packaging solutions, aiming to eliminate products derived from virgin oil-based materials by 2030. Supported by long-term science-based emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, Coats demonstrates an unwavering commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Advancing women leadership: Pioneering diversity and inclusion
Coats has been recognised for promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly regarding women in leadership roles. The company has made significant progress in increasing female representation in senior leadership positions, rising from 19% in 2022 to 30% in 2024. This achievement has allowed Coats to meet its 2026 target ahead of schedule. It serves as a testament the company’s commitment to gender equity and its strategic initiatives to empower women within the organisation.
The company has implemented comprehensive diversity programmes, such as Coats for Her and Coats for All, ensure equal opportunities and support for women and diverse employees. These programmes include initiatives like the Female Recruitment Campaign, Women in Leadership Fast-Track Programme, and Return to Work Programme, which have been instrumental in creating pathways for women to thrive in leadership roles. For instance, the Women in Leadership Fast-Track Programme identifies high-potential female employees and provides them with the necessary training and mentorship to ascend to senior roles. This initiative not only prepares women for leadership positions but also enriches the company’s talent pool with diverse perspectives.
Coats has also prioritised fostering an inclusive culture through campaigns, training, and storytelling, ensuring that all employees feel valued and included. The company’s efforts to promote gender diversity extend beyond internal initiatives. By actively promoting the visibility and achievements of women leaders through company-wide storytelling, leadership panels, and industry engagement, Coats is inspiring the next generation of female leaders within the company and beyond. The company’s commitment to maintaining diverse candidate pools with 50:50 gender representation for leadership openings further underscores its dedication to mitigating unconscious bias in the selection process. This approach ensures that every leadership opportunity is accessible to a diverse range of candidates, reinforcing Coats’ commitment to an inclusive workplace.
“Winning these two prestigious awards for sustainability and diversity is a proud moment for Coats. They reflect the dedication of our teams who are driving real change—reducing emissions, expanding renewable energy, and advancing circularity, all while fostering a more inclusive workplace where women in leadership thrive. This recognition reinforces our commitment to building a sustainable and equitable future. These achievements would not be possible without the contributions of our colleagues, partners, and customers worldwide, whose support and collaboration continue to drive our progress.”
– David Paja, Group CEO, Coats
Company Profile
Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear, as well as an innovative pioneer in performance materials. These critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data and the environment. Headquartered in the UK, Coats is a FTSE250 company and a FTSE4Good Index constituent. Revenue in 2024 was $1.5 billion.
Trusted by the world’s leading companies to deliver crucial, innovative, and sustainable solutions, Coats provides value-adding products including apparel, accessory and footwear threads, structural footwear components, fabrics, yarns and software applications. Customer partners include companies from the apparel, footwear, automotive, telecoms, personal protection, and outdoor goods industries.
With a proud heritage dating back more than 250 years and a spirit of evolution to constantly stay ahead of changing market needs, Coats has operations across some 50 countries with a permanent workforce of more than 16,000, serving its customers worldwide.
Coats connects talent, textiles, and technology, to make a better and more sustainable world. Worldwide, there are four dedicated Coats Innovation Hubs, where experts collaborate with partners to create the materials and products of tomorrow. It participates in the UN Global Compact and is committed to validated Science Based sustainability targets for 2030 and beyond, with an aspiration of achieving net-zero by 2050. Coats is also committed to achieving its goals in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, workplace health & safety, employee & community wellbeing, and supplier social performance. To find out more about Coats, visit www.coats.com.
Contact Details
E-mail: communications@coats.com
Links
Website: https://www.coats.com/en/
