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Circular Knitting

Turnover and profits up at Maglificio Ripa

Lombardy based knitter triples profits and relaunches iconic Light fabric range in 80 colours.

24th February 2023

Knitting Industry
 |  Spino D’Adda (CR), Italy

Sports/​Activewear, Swimwear/​Beachwear

Lombardy, Italy based Maglificio Ripa, a producer of high end circular knitted fabrics, which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, closed fiscal year 2022 with turnover up 25% (over EUR 25 million) and tripled profits.

A path of constant development that focuses on heritage, real sustainability and corporate welfare, supported by continuous technological and structural investments, lead the company to expand this year with a new ultra-technological and low environmental impact 2000 square metres plant. The new production hub, designed like a ‘vertical garden’, will be surrounded by greenery and powered by energy from geothermal and photovoltaic plants.

"Since 1952 we have never stopped innovating," emphasises Luca Bianco, Director of Maglificio Ripa. "Both in terms of product and in the entire value chain as well as in the business system. Our progression is the result of these factors and of a certain way of relating to customers, of growing with them. It is no coincidence that we are registering vertical growth in reshoring, bringing back small and large brands toward certified, qualified and sustainable production with the fundamental contribution of our creativity.”

“We were among the first to seriously address the issue of environmental responsibility and today, as yesterday, our vocation is the same but with the support of more modern materials and technologies that allow us to propose sustainable fabrics produced in a sustainable way. The rest is marketing," says Luca.

"On the product side," adds Elisabetta Bianco - Head of Research and Development at Ripa - "We have set up a very ambitious project with the re-launch of our iconic Light fabric, which not only revolutionised the textile industry 20 years ago, but also represents a new concept of proposing itself with dedicated performance and service. A new generation that comes to life from our heritage of knowledge but updated with contemporary technologies. We have designed eight new items declined in eighty colours for the beachwear, athleisure and sports world."

Maglificio Ripa uses only the best sustainable yarns available. © Maglificio Ripa

In addition to complying with current laws and regulations, Maglificio Ripa has been able to develop techniques and methods of control and recycling that allow it to lower pollution levels and ensure the protection of the outdoor environment.

Maglificio Ripa is OekoTex certified and Global Recycle Standard (GRS) compliant, promoted by Textile Exchange, an important international non-profit organization for responsible and sustainable development in the textile sector. This important recognition, Ripa says, enshrines a model of production throughout the value chain and sustainable consumption, with the aim of encouraging the reduction of resource consumption (virgin raw materials, water and energy) and increasing the quality of recycled products.

The search for integral sustainability has pushed Maglificio Ripa to use the most cutting-edge sustainable yarns (preconsumer, post-consumer and biobased) on the international level, always attentive to the most interesting innovations in favour of a circular textile economy.

Maglificio Ripa website

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