SensitivEcosystem - warp knitter leads way at Premiere Vision

September 2008, Paris – Leading Italian warp knitter Eurojersey, a pioneer in eco-sustainability showcased its Sensitive fabrics at PV and confirmed its green commitment by highlighting its SensitivEcosystem programme.

On the technological frontline and fully committed to research, Eurojersey was established in 1960 at its current production centre in Caronno Pertusella in the Milan suburbs. Over the last ten years the company has invested in the most sophisticated machinery, software and latest technology, to promote the efficient management of the large scale integrated production of its Sensitive fabrics range, from knitting to dyeing and printing.

In 2001 Eurojersey launched a comprehensive environmental policy to make its business eco-sustainable and it has already seen significant tangible results in the reduction of consumption and waste in the production cycle. This was the background for the creation of SensitivEcosystem, an ambitious ‘green’ programme that distinguishes the new Eurojersey era, where its commitment to the sustainability of its business places it at the cutting edge of the warp knit textile industry at a global level. A 360° commitment that involves not only production but also the entire Sensitive product lifecycle, and which involves every single person within the company in active participation in the project to encourage responsible awareness of their social behaviour.

Careful resource management has become an integral element in corporate processes and the behaviour of every individual and for Eurojersey this is a challenge that is tackled every day to encourage constant overall improvement.

The results already achieved include an important reduction of energy, gas and water consumption, paper and cardboards waste, and optimising consumption of dyestuffs and chemical products.

Energy efficiency and saving water

From 2008, in its new plant, warehouses and offices, Eurojersey committed itself to using only energy derived exclusively from renewable sources – wind, water and sun. Moreover, Eurojersey has invested in the construction of its own solar energy plant. As Alessandro Colombo, member of the SensitivEcosystem team explained:

”We are very satisfied with our solar energy plant; it represents real proof of our SensitivEcosystem programme and our ‘green commitment’. Colombo continued: “The new solar panel installation has been installed on a purpose-built iconic canopy in the interior parking zone. It is capable of producing 20,000 kWh annually.”

Another element in the initiative is that Eurojersey is strongly committed to energy efficiency, saving water and reducing industrial waste created by the production cycle. For this purpose the company has installed a sophisticated HRS fume cleaning plant. Using a smaller volume of water, the plant can recover the heat from the fume cleaning process more efficiently. The hot water recovered is re-used in the production cycle and the heating system for the new manufacture and quality control section.

Certified commitment

In the context of the SensitivEcosystem project, Eurojersey’s constant commitment to eco-sustainable development and the quality and integrity of the implemented processes are guaranteed by the strictest and most authoritative international certification, voluntarily adhered to by the company for environmental protection and consumer health.

In 1995, Eurojersey obtained OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certification for the entire range of Sensitive fabrics. It certifies that the textile products do not contain or release substances harmful to human health.

In April 2008, Eurojersey obtained International ISO 14001 Certification from the Certifying Body Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Italy for the Company’s environmental management system. Today, as the first company to do so among those producing fabrics for lingerie and swimwear on an international level, Eurojersey has made an active commitment to the creation of a supplementary certification which would be a clear recognition of the Sensitiveproduct. The Company identified the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) as the most significant and comprehensive Product Certification.

 “After an extensive research, the EPD Certification, developed by the Swedish Ministry of the Environment, is the only existing Certification that aims to quantify a product’s precise environmental impact independently of composition, type, use and its position in the production chain”, emphasized Tiziano Moro, SensitivEcosystem team leader.

Eurojersey is making all the requested measurements to obtain the EPD Certification that is based on the creation of an assessment system for the environmental impact of a square metre of a product, monitoring all the production stages individually according to a series of specific parameters, including energy consumption, contribution to the greenhouse effect, acidification and water eutrophication.

This is made possible through the company’s intense daily commitment – its entire workforce of 200 people take an active, highly enthusiastic role in the SensitivEcosystem project.

Andrea Crespi, Managing Director of Eurojersey says: “All of us accepted the challenge with so strong determination that it has influenced every action, becoming a true shared ethical attitude deeply rooted in our daily job, a real ‘Sensitive Attitude’. In a world market much more competitive, we think that the environmental attention and the business eco-sustainable commitment are an important added value offered to our clients, contributing to planet’s health and involving the consumer all around the world. Today, they are becoming more sensitive and more aware of the environmental impact of their choices. “

Finally the Sensitivelabels, featuring the SensitiveEcoSystem logo, are a genuine certificate of authenticity and confirm the eco-sustainability of Sensitivefabrics as guarantee of the product’s intrinsic value, which creates a distinctive profile across the world and makes it highly appreciated for its qualities and ethical content.