For Vitale Barberis Canonico, sustainability is not a fashion or a trend to follow because the market requires it, but it is something deeply rooted in the company culture and in the values that have been handed down from generation to generation.
In 2019, we decided to “move from action to words” with our first Sustainability Report, a tool which has enabled us to study the results achieved, not to celebrate ourselves, but to raise the bar and set even more challenging goals.
Now, when publishing the second edition relating to our 2019 activities, we are very satisfied to note that we have successfully achieved all objectives set last year. Most importantly, the awarding of the ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015 in addition to the already obtained ISO 9001:2015. This has equipped Vitale Barberis Canonico with an integrated QSA Management System.
Our commitment is ongoing, because it is values, people and the environment which make our fabrics so special. They are our strength and the resilient warp and weft around which we weave our future.
- 1982
- Reuse of the contents of the dyeing tanks to recuperate dyes and auxiliary chemicals and the reduction of water consumption.
- Purchase of first Greenhills farm in Australia
- 1987
Purification system for effluents with biological, active mud treatment and tertiary active carbon treatment
- 1989
Noise level reduction in weaving shops as a result of the study and installation of first generation sound-isolation cabins covering every loom.
- 1996
New finishing department with a number of system improvements for reduction of water consumption and energy.
- 2000
2001New highly-automated dyeing department with a number of system improvements for energy consumption reductions and reuse of contents of dyeing tanks
- 2003
New regenerative thermal afterburner for the treatment of waste gas smells caused by singeing.
- 2005
No Mulesed/Ceased Mulesed declaration system in collaboration with New England Wool.
- 2008
Model 231, including Company Code of Ethics.
- 2009
- Life Insurance for all employees pursuant to Company supplementary agreement.
- ISO 9001 Quality certification.
- New gas central heating system with low-emission steam generators and recuperation of energy from fumes and condensation.
- 2012
- New Company welfare system including supplementary health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, tax-free annual shopping voucher, pension hours time bank fostering ad hoc arrangements for serious or long-term sickness.
- Tessile e Salute (Textiles and Health) Certification.
- 2014
Wool Excellence Club and Wool Excellence Award dedicated to breeders.
- 2015
SustainaWOOL Integrity Scheme to promote the supply of sustainable raw materials.
- 2016
Second line of purification treatment using MBR membrane bioreactor and ozone decolourisation to recycle part of the effluents from finishing department.
- New Company supplementary agreement for maintenance of preceding agreements and improvement of provisions therein, amongst which safeguarding of salaries in events of serious or long-term sickness and implementation of an exclusive network of discounts with local businesses.
- Formalisation of CSR office.
- First Sustainability Report and the launch of H.O.P.E.
- 2019
- ISO 45001 certification: Occupational Health and Safety
- ISO 14001 certification: Environmental Management Systems
- 100% electric energy bought from certified renewable sources
- Transfer of SustainaWOOL to an independent third party
- H.O.P.E. sustainable fabric range
- Adoption of ZDHC protocol