water and effluents

Water is a scarce resource and must therefore be used efficiently, minimizing environmental impact and conserving local ecosystems. In this sense, we are committed to implementing measures to reduce water consumption and ensure adequate treatment and discharge of effluents throughout our operations and supply chain.

In 2021, we introduced Betterwash®, a validated washing process, with the intention of reducing water consumption through more advanced techniques such as the use of ozone, laser and e-flow, instead of more conventional techniques. According to a study carried out with the support of Control Union, we concluded that, between 2013 and 2021, we reduced our average water consumption per piece produced by 42%. This reduction occurred thanks to the use of the techniques adopted when implementing Betterwash®, the investment made in our industrial unit's machine park, the continuous optimization of processes and the close and sharing relationship we maintain with our suppliers.

After identifying and consolidating these techniques and processes in our industrial unit, we decided to move on to the second phase of this project and create a Betterwash® Policy, an extensive technical definition of the best practices we follow in water consumption and effluent production. This Policy must be followed by all our suppliers so that they are also able to improve their water management. Through this collaboration we help suppliers implement more responsible solutions, aligning them with our internal levels of environmental responsibility and promoting positive changes in the textile industry.

The management of liquid effluents in the textile industry is highly important for reducing environmental impacts, as these processes involve generating large volumes of water containing chemicals such as dyes, pigments, and solvents. Therefore, in our industrial unit, we have implemented a system for separating clean and dirty water in all dyeing and washing machines. Clean waters undergo physical and chemical treatments, being reinserted into our production circuit, with a current reuse rate of up to 30%. Our ambition is to ensure that the reuse process is as efficient as possible without compromising the quality of the items produced, and, therefore, we regularly seek new systems and technological innovation projects, such as biological systems, for more appropriate and responsible treatment. Dirty waters are sent, after physical separation of components, to the Rio Ave Waste Water Treatment Station (TRATAVE) for final treatment of effluents and return to natural water courses, respecting the provisions established in legislation.

We adopt strict chemical management policies, including the use of a Restricted Substances List (RSL) and Maximum Restricted Substances List (MRSL), to ensure that only the safest and most responsible products are used in all production stages. Committed to sustainability, we implement effective measures to reduce the use of chromium in leather tanning processes, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring that our products meet the highest quality and safety standards. We are always looking for innovations and practices that promote the minimization of environmental impact.