Sustainability
OUR VISION
Environmental and social responsibility are the cornerstones of our corporate activity. We assume this responsibility across the entire supply chain and are guided by the effectiveness of the respective measures.
Sustainability is an integral part of our acting and thinking. Our aim is to be best–in-class.
Our Sustainability Strategy
Since we are convinced that sustainability is the right thing to do, we have made sustainability an integral part of our corporate philosophy in our Code of Conduct. For that matter, we pursue a holistic approach to our sustainability strategy. Accordingly, we understand sustainability as a process that balances social, environmental and economic activities and minimises the negative effects that arise.
Inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, we have defined these five cornerstones of our sustainability strategy:
P PEOPLE | P PLANET | P PROFIT | P PRODUCT | P PRODUCTION
We analyse and evaluate our impact in all 5Ps and develop measures to achieve continuous improvement in our sustainability performance.
In order to bundle our numerous activities and measures, we launched the "Project 4D Sustainably" in 2020. This project will coordinate all sustainability tasks, set targets, measure progress and analyse the effectiveness of our measures.
Analyse. Act. Achieve. Repeat.
Our Sustainability Principles
In addition to the overarching orientation of our sustainability commitment along the 5P, we have zoomed into the content and defined 10 core dimensions.
Transparent and sustainable Supply Chain
Respect, non-discrimination, fair remuneration and education for motivated employees
Focus on sustainable and renewable raw materials
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Conscious and resource-friendly product development and production
Economic success is based on sustainability and innovation
Healthy and safe workplaces along the whole supply chain
Diminution of water consumption and reduction of water pollution
Prevention of harmful chemicals
Compliance with animal welfare
Transparent and traceable
Our self-image is characterised by an open and transparent corporate culture, which means that we offer our customers the complete traceability of our products. To this end, we rely on established and long-standing supply relationships with our upstream partners, i.e. all those in the supply chain before us.
Field / Farm
cultivation / farming
Harvest
picking / shearing
Ginning / Washing & Combing
remove impurities / smoothe fibers
Spinning
fibres are spun into yarn / thread
Design
defining colours and patterns for fabrics
Dyeing
dye / bleach yarn
Weaving
yarns and threads become fabrics
Finishing
treatment to smoothen and finish fabrics
Printings
printing motifs / patterns on fabrics
Tailoring
fabrics become fashion
Brand & Retailer
for purchase in stores
Waering
wearing / washing / drying / ironing
End of Life
give away / selling / donating / disposing
Premium Products
In keeping with the principle of sustainability, all our products are made exclusively from natural fibres and fibres of natural origin.
Our main materials are cotton and merino wool. We also use silk, cashmere, lyocell and linen.
Already since 2018 we have been running fields in Egypt with exclusive GIZA 45 cotton, which is cultivated according to the EU Eco-Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007). We therefore produce the highest quality organic cotton ourselves.
To protect the soil, the cotton in these fields is harvested exclusively by hand. Since 2019, we have expanded the cultivation by two more premium varieties: GIZA 86 and GIZA 96.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Species-appropriate and respectful animal husbandry is indispensable. We require standards such as the Responsible Wool Standard, which guarantee animal welfare.
With our association for sustainable sheep husbandry, the «Sponsors of weba-Merinos in Appenzell», we want to promote species-appropriate and respectful animal husbandry.
Green Production
True to the company philosophy, WEBA has been STeP by OEKO-TEX certified with both production sites since 2013. This means that the WEBA sites were the first two STeP-certified weaving mills worldwide.
STeP by OEKO-TEX certifies production companies in six sustainability dimensions and evaluates the company accordingly within three categories.
- Chemicals management
- Environmental performance
- Environmental Management
- Social responsibility
- Health and safety at work
- Quality Management
WEBA is rated Level 3 Best-Practice with both weaving mills.
outstanding performance
- 100% renewable energy (hydropower in Switzerland / solar energy in Egypt)
- 50 % CO2 by converting the heating system in Switzerland
- 53 % water consumption through process optimisation
- Conversion of the NOS programme to organic cotton
- Merino wool only with RWS certification
- Effective management systems in the fields of chemicals, occupational health and safety and the environment