German viscose producer Kelheim Fibres has completed its first CanopyStyle Audit, the results of which show the company’s current supply chain is at low risk of sourcing wood from ancient and endangered forests or other controversial sources.
Key findings of the audit, which was conducted by independent auditing body NEPCon, show Kelheim Fibres has a limited fibre basket and uses a significant proportion of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fibres in its viscose products. The company has also begun supporting forest conservation solutions in key areas of ancient and endangered forests.
In what it calls the “spirit of continuous improvement,” Canopy recommends that Kelheim Fibres increases the proportion of FSC-certified fibre, makes efforts to source 100% FSC, as well as continues to invest in research and development of low-impact alternative fibres, with the goal of launching a fibre line that contain these products.
An international not-for-profit environmental organisation, Canopy collaborates with more than 750 companies to develop innovative solutions, to make their fibre supply chains more sustainable, and to help protect the world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests. Its partners include H&M and Zara.
“Future-oriented fibre materials cannot come at the cost of ancient and endangered forests and other valuable resources. Therefore, we are committed to focus on sustainability at every step from raw material sourcing and state-of-the-art closed-loops production processes,” says Craig Barker, CEO of Kelheim Fibres. “As a small producer, we are proud to have accomplished low-risk audit results. We welcome the recommendations the audit report has given us for further improvements and we will actively work towards implementing them.”
Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s executive director, added: “Producers are increasingly hearing from brands that they will no longer source ancient and endangered forest textiles by the end of 2020. This audit result is a validation of Kelheim’s efforts in that direction and positions it well in a competitive market place.”
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By GlobalDataThe audit is to be conducted annually to ensure that the company continues to meet the expectations of the CanopyStyle initiative.
Viscose is the third most commonly used textile fibre in the world. Not only are brands and retailers are under increasing pressure to ensure the wood pulp source for their viscose is not derived from the world’s ancient and endangered forests, but that the negative impacts of chemical processing and wastewater discharge and pollution are tackled too.
Last month, Canopy has launched a ‘Next Generation Vision’ for viscose to support the investment in, creation, trial, and purchase of rayon and viscose products made from low-impact alternative fibres.
