In a joint statement issued today the two companies said that the LCC project aims ‘to help them consolidate their role as pioneers in the mission of finding new production and distribution processes which, thanks to their quality, can at the same time be efficient and respectful of the environment'.

Carvico and Jersey Lomellina say the LCC project is a suitable response to the market demand for more social awareness and responsibility. The project is based on the use of recycled raw materials and on the reduction of waste in the deployment of human, technological, financial and professional resources in the creation of sustainable fabrics for swimwear, underwear, sportswear and outerwear.

Recycled hollow polyamide yarn

The two Bergamo, Lomardy based companies aim to manufacture a better future and have developed Econyl, a new recycled hollow polyamide yarn called Econyl in close collaboration with Aquafil a leading Italian manmade fibres producer. 

Econyl is said to be ideal for the production of new generation fabrics and is derived from post consumer discarded products such as fishing nets, voile and fibre from old carpets which would otherwise be destined to the rubbish dump. The waste materials are firstly turned into a new polymer and then into a new yarn to be employed in the production of ultra light, comfortable, high performance fabrics.

"Taking materials away from the garbage dump to give them a new life: a simple and feasible principle that is bound to have a significant impact on the environment thanks to a different way to exploit waste materials, which are not intended as a problem to be solved but as a possible solution to the problem," the Carvico statement said.  

The Carvico Group companies say they strongly believe in the application of new technologies in the creation of a sustainable future and this is the reason why they have chosen a fibre that can meet their customers' requests in terms of performance and respect of the environment and that can be employed in the production of a range of fabrics that guarantee better performance than more traditional ‘solid' fibres : light weight fabrics with no see-through effect, which are also highly UV protective, breathable and insulating.  

Social role

"Our choice stems from a long analysis of the social role that companies are called to play, regardless of the market they operate in, in order to help spreading the culture of sustainability," said Laura Colnaghi Calissoni, Carvico Group Chairperson.

"This is how we can protect the future of the next generations. Engineering innovative, eco-compatible products is definitely hard work and it also means having to face tough challenges but we are proud to have already achieved several, relevant results brought about by the collaboration and professionalism of our employees and collaborators," Ms Colnaghi Calissoni said.  

Carvico Group says the LCC project stems from a culture of awareness and sustainability that has always characterized the activity of both companies, which, over the past 50 years have helped Carvico evolve into one of the biggest names in the international textile market, specializing in the research of cutting-edge technological solutions, coherent with their ethical code, and leading to a more sustainable, eco-friendly production. 

Supported by relevant figures

Carvico says its style and philosophy are supported by relevant figures: "20 million litres of harvested rainwater,  300,000 Kwh of energy and 135,000 Sm3 of methane saved in one year, along with a reduction by 20% in the CO2 emissions per each Kg of fabric against the figures related to 10 years ago (ETS Kyoto)."

"In addition to this, we have reduced emissions to values ten times lower than those set by the law, decreased wastes by using recycled raw materials, cut down on packaging volumes and recovered non hazardous wastes," the Italian companies said, adding:  

"We have also recently tested a heat recovery system, aimed at reusing the heat coming from the production process in order to feed the heating system of the offices, the dressing rooms, the dying and knitting departments, the colours lab and the maintenance workshop."

By implementing such a system the companies intend to reduce by 50% the consumption of methane gas currently used to heat up the aforesaid premises (112,800 Sm³ in 2010) preventing 100 tonnes/year of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

"The LCC project therefore represents for Carvico and Jersey Lomellina a public declaration of intent, a long term commitment to protect our eco system in order to ensure a better future to our planet and its inhabitants," Carvico and Jersey Lomellina concluded.

The tenth edition of MarediModa IntimodiModa, the international "Made in Europe" tradeshow dedicated to the preview of beachwear and intimates collections presented by the leading companies, opened today and closes on Friday 25 November.