For Chemitex, social responsibility is not just the balance between growing and caring for society and environment. It's our long-term economic strategy.

our WAY OF GIVING BACK

Since Chemitex founding in 1970, we have redistributed a significant part of our profits to various initiatives in the social, medical, cultural and educational sectors every year. 

Health and safety first

Chemitex cares for Human Rights. In order to guarantee dignified, healthy and safe working conditions for the people who manufacture our yarns and textiles, we regularly carry out social audits in all of our suppliers’ plants. 

 

Our Ethical Charter is binding for us, as well as, for all of our suppliers while guiding us in our daily purchasing decisions.

Our strategic partners

We see our suppliers as strategic partners and strive to maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with all of them. 

 

We do everything in our power to make sure their businesses and workforces advance alongside ours.

Your Partner in

Sustainability

Our social responsibility goes beyond caring for the environment.

As we grow, so does our responsibility. We guarantee that Chemitex impact continues to be positive every day. Whether by reducing our ecological footprint, constantly trying to better the conditions of our employees and by donating a part of our profits to philanthropic initiatives.

CERTIFICATES AND BRANDS

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100% Organic Product

Gots since 2010

Organic cotton is grown from non-genetically modified plants, without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides.

 

There are currently two independent organic certifications for organic cotton:

  • Organic Content Standards (OCS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
  • CHEMITEX GROUP is working with both standards.

 

The Global Organic Textile Standard is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria (which is not the case for OCS).


The aim of the standard is to define world-wide recognized requirements that ensure the organic status of the final textile product (garment, bedsheet, …), from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.


GOTS stipulates full physical traceability by Transaction Certificates for each delivery.
 

Only certified suppliers can request for a Transaction Certificate via “Approved Certification Bodies” (e.g. Control Union Certifications b.v.). Without an approved Transaction Certificate, the goods are not GOTS certified.
 

CHEMITEX GROUP is GOTS certified for yarns and fabrics cotton, flax and hemp (Registration No CU 815041). 
 

Since 2016 we deliver yearly more than 1000 tons of certified goods to our customers and this quantity is increasing every year.

More info: www.global-standard.org

Better for people and future environment

OCS Certified since 2010

The Organic Content Standard 100 (OCS 100) and Organic Content Standard blended (OCS Blended) applies to any non-food product containing 5-100% organic material.


It verifies the presence and amount of organic material in a final product and tracks the flow of a raw material from its source to the final product.

This process is then certified by an accredited third party. Control Union is a leading certification body. The OCS 100 covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of a product that contains at least 95% organic cotton fibers.

 

By using OCS certified products we are using an eco-friendly fiber compared to regular cotton, organic cotton does not need toxic chemicals, less consumption of water, less consumption of energy and less emissions of CO2 than regular cotton, is also hypoallergenic, protecting the eco-systems and the local farmers.

 

 

CHEMITEX GROUP is certified for yarns and fabrics (Registration No CU 815041).

0 Waste Linen

European Flax since 2016

Linen a natural fiber coming from Flax, a specific culture with low environmental impact, uses fewer resources and can grow in poor soils, the flax plant also has a high rate of carbon absorption.


Flax is a specific culture and supply chain. Its use involves textiles, household textiles as well as high-performance technical products such as composite materials.

To improve products and meet consumers/buyers’ expectations in terms of fibre quality and traceability, a label has been created: European Flax®. EUROPEAN FLAX® is the qualitative visa of premium European linen fibre for all applications. It preserves, highlights and safeguards a uniquely European agriculture and industry, its regional origins and its inherent non-relocatable know-how. An ambitious global label that aims to be recognized by the final consumer. To preserve and develop this sector, environmental issue is key.

 

The EUROPEAN FLAX® Charter, signed by all the linen producers, guarantees a level of local farming that respects the environment: ZERO IRRIGATION, ZERO GMO (genetically modified organisms), ZERO WASTE. It fits flawlessly into the cycle of good environmental practices promoted by the label Cradle to Cradle.

 

European Flax® is an audit-based process. It requires the complete supply chain from producers to retailers to be audited. For companies producing flax and flax fibre, the certificate is delivered by CELC (European Confederation of Linen and Hemp). European Flax® fibre is certified by the Bast Fibre Authority. For companies processing or trading linen/flax at all stages, until manufacturers of finished products, the certificate is delivered by Bureau Veritas Certification.

 

European Flax®’s objectives are:
 

  • To preserve the agricultural product;
  • To establish the role of flax as a natural vegetal fibre helping;
  • To protect eco-systems through the best cultivation practices;
  • To certify traceability through each stage of production and offer consumer the added value of European fibre origin in flax/linen final products;
  • To be a brand open to all prospective potential: a qualitative visa that anticipates and participates in the opening of new markets for fashion, lifestyle, home and technical opportunities;
  • To participate in the entry into new geographical markets.

 

Cotitex, a company of the Chemitex group, is an European Flax member since 2016, certified for trading of yarns, fabrics and knits (Certificate n° BVBE30027)

Cleaner, Greener Cotton

BCI since 2016

The Better Cotton Initiative exists to make global cotton production better: for the people who produce it, for the environment it grows in and for the sector’s future, by developing Better cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.

 

The farmers are trained to follow the “Better Cotton Production Principles and Criteria” and assessments are done on regular base to follow-up the BCI-farmers.

The Better Cotton Production Principles and Criteria lay out the global definition of Better Cotton, by upholding the following 6 principles: 

 

  • Minimizing the harmful impact of crop protection practices
  • Using water efficiently and caring for the availability of water
  • Caring for the health of the soil
  • Conserving natural habitats
  • Caring for and preserving the quality of the fibre
  • Promoting “Decent Work”

 

By adhering to these principles, Better Cotton farmers produce cotton in a way that is measurably better for the environment and farming communities.

 

For 1 kilo physical Better Cotton, the BCI farmer gets 1 BCCU (Better Cotton Claim Unit). Those BCCU’s are being transferred through the supply chain, and finally are claimed by the Retailer and Brand Members. BCI aims to have 5 million Better Cotton farmers producing 8.2 million metric tonnes of Better Cotton by 2020. That’s around 30% of global cotton production.

 

CHEMITEX GROUP has his own BCI account (N° 1002462) to receive the BCCU’s from his BCI suppliers and to transfer the BCCU’s to his customers on their demand.

In this way, CHEMITEX GROUP is supporting the Better Cotton Initiative.

More info: www.bettercotton.org

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

GRS certified since 2020

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) was originally developed by Control Union Certifications (CU) in 2008 and ownership was passed to Textile Exchange January 1, 2011. The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is an international, voluntary, full product standard that sets requirements for third-party certification of Recycled Content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions.

 

The goal of the GRS is to increase use of Recycled materials in products and reduce/eliminate the harm caused by its production.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GRS ARE:

 

  • Alignment of definitions across multiple applications;
  • Track and trace Recycled input materials;
  • Provide customers (both brands and consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions;
  • Reduce harmful impact of production to people and the environment;
  • Provide assurance that materials in the final product are actually Recycled and processed more sustainably;
  • Drive innovation in addressing quality issues in the use of Recycled materials.

 

The Global Recycled Standard is intended for use with any product that contains at least 50% Recycled Material. Each stage of production is required to be certified, beginning at the recycling stage and ending at the last seller in the final business-to-business transaction. Material Collection and Material Concentration sites are subject to self-declaration, document collection, and on-site visits. In addition to the requirements of the Content Claim Standard, all organizations involved in the production or trade of GRS products shall meet the following requirements:

 

  • All Recycled materials entering the supply chain shall have a valid Transaction Certificate (TC) issued by an approved Certification Body.
  • Pre-Consumer and Post-Consumer Material Content percentage shall be recorded separately for each batch at every certified site and recorded on the transaction certificate.

 

CHEMITEX GROUP is GRS certified for yarns and fabrics (Registration No CU 815041).

The right to know

OEKO-TEX® certified since 2008

The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels, as well as accessory materials used.

 

Since its introduction in 1992, the central focus of the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® has been the development of test criteria, limit values and test methods on a scientific basis for several hundred regulated individual substances, taking in account:

  • Important legal regulations, such as banned Azo colourants, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, nickel, etc;
  • Numerous harmful chemicals, even if they are not yet legally regulated;
  • Requirements of Annexes XVII and XIV of the European Chemicals Regulation REACH as well as of the ECHA SVHC Candidate List insofar as they are relevant for yarns, fabrics, textiles, garments or accessories;
  • Numerous also environmentally relevant substance classes.

 

The OEKO-TEX® tests for harmful substances are fundamentally based on the respective purpose of the textiles and materials. The more intensive the skin contact of a product and the more sensitive the skin, the stricter the human-ecological requirements that need to be complied with.

 

Accordingly, a distinction is made between four product classes:
 

PRODUCT CLASS I

Articles for babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age (underwear, rompers, clothing, bed linen, terry products etc.)

 

PRODUCT CLASS II

Articles that are worn close to the skin (underwear, bed linen, t-shirts, socks etc.)

 

PRODUCT CLASS III

Articles used away from the skin (jackets, coats etc.)

 

PRODUCT CLASS IV

Decoration/Furnishing materials (curtains, tablecloths, upholstery covers etc.)

 

CHEMITEX GROUP has following certificates:
 

PRODUCT CLASS I - APPENDIX 6

· N° 1210041: Yarns made of 100% polyester – raw

· N° 1210040: Yarns made of 100% cellulosic fibres (cotton, viscose, viscose made of bamboo, linen) and mixtures with polyester or lyocell or elastane – raw or bleached

· N° 1210042: Woven fabrics made of 100% cellulosic fibres (cotton and viscose) and mixtures with polyester or elastane in loomstate (raw)

· N° 1210043: Woven and knitted fabrics (including 3D airmesh fabric) in 100% polyester – bleached, dyed, printed and finished and woven fabrics in polyester/polypropylene mixtures with or without a polypropylene nonwoven interlining – white

 

PRODUCT CLASS II - APPENDIX 4

 

· N° 1212053: Woven fabrics made of cellulosic fibres (cotton, viscose, linen) and mixtures with polyester, polyamide and/or elasthane, in loomstate, bleached, dyed and finished.

 

In 2022 more than 1000 customers of the CHEMITEX GROUP have used one of our certificates for their own certification.


Soon, we will push our suppliers to upgrade their certificate with DETOX TO ZERO.

DETOX TO ZERO

Zero discharge technology

DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX® is a comprehensive verification and reporting system that prepares facilities along the textile chain for the requirements requested by the Detox campaign of Greenpeace. DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX® continuously screens and offers you a transparent solution to meet the Detox goals.

 

The DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX® system is focused on:

  • The establishment of a transparent chemical management system
  • A continuous improvement plan to reduce hazardous substances in the production process, e.g. comprehensive MRSL examination
  • Wastewater and sludge measurements
  • Improvement of protective measures for the protection of the environment
     

DETOX TO ZERO provides an annual status report about chemicals used, evaluation of waste and wastewater treatment analysis and environmental protection measures so the facility and its buyers have a continuous monitoring tool focused on achieving Detox campaign alignment.

 

In addition, OEKO-TEX® pays particular attention to the following:

 ELIMINATION

 Eliminating all release of toxic chemicals and recognising that there are no environmentally safe levels for hazardous substances according to Greenpeace's priority list of 11 hazardous chemicals / chemical groups.
 

PREVENTION AND PRECAUTION

Review and analysis of processes and measures for continuous improvement regarding preventive measures for the handling and the use of „hazardous“substances.
 

RIGHT TO KNOW

Documentation of the company‘s operations including training, environmental reporting, internal and external communications. One of the targets is a publicly available register on the www.oeko-tex.com website.

 

Within the scope of DETOX TO ZERO by OEKO-TEX®, tests are conducted to check against the requirements of the Detox campaign, but OEKO-TEX® has added incremental elements such as, for example, resource efficiency, health protection, environmental protection and prevention of water pollution, and occupational safety

Branded Eco-friendly fiber

Little efforts, have a big impact

Committed to an environmentally Eco friendly fiber use, we present LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose, a trademark from the company Lenzing AG for the viscose fibers.

 

LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose is made from certified and controlled forests, growing without the use of pesticides, fertilizers, or irrigation, contributing to a cleaner environment and low impact on the natural resources.

The fibers are certified with the EU Ecolabel, the LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose fiber can be traced upon the final product, assuring a good and responsible purchase

Some important facts:
 

  • Less 50% lower emissions & water compared to generic viscose
  • LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose is using sustainable wood and pulp sourcing
  • Supply chain transparency
  • Eco-responsible and certified forests
  • More info: www.ecovero.com

Branded Eco-friendly fiber

Positive earth

Committed to an environmentally Eco friendly fiber use, we present TENCEL ,  a trademark from the compay LENZING AG for the Lyocell fibers.

 

TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are made from sustainably grown woods and environmental friendly forests, without the use of pesticides, fertilizers or irrigation, minimizing the environmental impact.

Lyocell is 100%biodegradable, is more eco-friendly compared to the production of modal and viscose, recycling almost all the chemicals used during the fiber production process.


With unique benefits and properties soft to the skin, smooth to the touch, luxurious in shine and flow.

 

More Info: www.tencel.com

FSC® certification

Forest Friendly

 FSC® stands for Forest Stewardship Council®.

The FSC certification covers forest management and tracing the wood products through all stages of production and distribution.

Viscose, Lyocell, Tencel® and other forest-based textiles carrying the FSC label are derived from wood coming from responsibly managed forests, excluding deforestation and promoting the welfare of workers worldwide.

Chemitex Group is FSC® certified under nr. CU-COC-815041

More Info: www.fsc.org

 

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