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Sustainability

Sustainable and responsible innovation

We believe we have the duty to show how a company can flourish while respecting the environment in which it operates.

We adopt voluntary standards to ensure that we’re always improving

Certifications

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Transparency is the starting point for sustainability

Transparency

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A trusted supply chain is an added value

Traceability

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Sustainability report

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Shaped by our territory

We are located in the Parco del Ticino Nature Reserve, an area that has always been renowned for its rich biodiversity. The regulations implemented in Parco del Ticino have had, and continue to have, an impact on who we are, driving us to seek innovations that benefit the environment, as well as fashion. We work every day to create innovative fabrics and enhance the welfare of our people – without negatively affecting the area in which we are based. We have been on a path towards sustainability ever since it was called ‘industrial efficiency’ and we will continue to proudly evolve in this direction.

​Sustainability Manifesto

Shaped by our territory

We are located in the Parco del Ticino Nature Reserve, an area that has always been renowned for its rich biodiversity. The regulations implemented in Parco del Ticino have had, and continue to have, an impact on who we are, driving us to seek innovations that benefit the environment, as well as fashion. We work every day to create innovative fabrics and enhance the welfare of our people – without negatively affecting the area in which we are based. We have been on a path towards sustainability ever since it was called ‘industrial efficiency’ and we will continue to proudly evolve in this direction.

​Sustainability Manifesto

The most precious asset? Our natural resources

Water management

This topic addresses our commitment to minimizing its impacts on water, by favouring practices that allow to reduce consumption and increase reuse. This topic also includes the company’s commitment to ensuring high standards in the quality of industrial water effluents.

Chemical management

This topic represents our commitment to a holistic approach to chemical management that prioritizes eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals in our entire production and apply a systematic approach to procuring, storing, using and disposing of chemicals within our entire operations.

Management of biodiversity

This topic addresses our commitment to safeguarding biodiversity, by preventing and mitigating negative impacts on biodiversity and on the ecosystem, and by taking proactive actions to protect plant and animal species.

Management of raw materials

This topic addresses our commitment to promoting the responsible consumption of the natural resources used for its products, and to investing in research and development activities aimed at testing the possibility to use alternative materials that have a more positive impact on the environment.

Energy efficiency

This topic addresses our commitment to minimizing its negative impacts on the environment and contribution to climate change, by pursuing an energy efficiency strategy, promoting the adoption of renewable energy, and reducing/ offsetting emissions. This topic also includes the company’s commitment to protecting air quality.

Health and safety

This topic addresses our commitment to ensuring the highest standards in health and safety for its workers, and to create a positive and enabling work environment.

Labour conditions and human rights

This topic addresses our commitment to respecting the labour rights of its employees, contractors, and workers, in particular their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, as well as the company’s commitment to undertake positive and constructive relations with its workers and labour unions.

Diversity and inclusion

This topic addresses our commitment to ensuring diversity and inclusion, by treating all potential and current employees equally, by adopting non-discriminatory practices and by offering equal opportunities to people of any gender, age, religion, political view, ethnic origin and ability.

Product quality and safety

This topic addresses our commitment to ensuring that its products meet the highest standards of quality and safety for end consumers, by ensuring that they are produced according to applicable laws and regulations and by carrying out all necessary tests to ensure products’ quality and safety.

Responsible supply chain management

This topic addresses our commitment to guaranteeing the highest social and environmental standards along its supply chain, by undertaking a structured approach to supply chain management which includes the selection, monitoring and evaluation of potential and current suppliers according to their social and environmental performance. It also includes the commitment to full traceability of raw materials and manufacturing.

Eco-design and Circular Economy

This topic addresses our commitment to design new products considering the potential impacts on the environment and society at all stages of the life cycle and to discovering product and production solutions that contribute to a circular economy.

Traceability of raw materials

This topic addresses our commitment to practices for guaranteeing traceability of our raw material supply chains and providing this level of visibility to our customers.

Creation and distribution of economic value

This topic addresses our commitment to create and distribute value with an aim to positively contribute to the socio economic development of our stakeholders.

Transparent and anti-corruption governance

This topic addresses our commitment to ensure business is conducted in an ethical manner, by undertaking a proactive approach in the fight against corruption and bribery, ensuring compliance with all applicable socio- economic and environmental laws and providing truthful information in the marketing and labelling of the company’s products and services to the clients and final consumers.

Support of institutions and local community

This topic addresses our commitment to positively contribute to the socio-economic development of the territory in which it operates, by creating jobs and market opportunities for the local population and suppliers and by actively engaging with local stakeholders.

Business practices and fair competition

This topic addresses our commitment to business development while respecting competitors and suppliers.

Circularity

At Candiani, circularity is a model that links the industrial production of denim to regenerative agriculture. Raw materials are first transformed into denim fabric, then into garments that, instead of being thrown away when they reach the end of their life, can be turned into a nutrient-rich fertiliser, which can be used in regenerative agriculture in order to grow the next crop of raw materials and thus establish a sustainable recycling cycle for fashion items. This vision starts by looking at the end of the life cycle, prioritising low-impact raw materials, without toxic substances and, preferably, of organic origin, which allows for virtuous solutions when products reach the end of their life.

Circularity

At Candiani, circularity is a model that links the industrial production of denim to regenerative agriculture. Raw materials are first transformed into denim fabric, then into garments that, instead of being thrown away when they reach the end of their life, can be turned into a nutrient-rich fertiliser, which can be used in regenerative agriculture in order to grow the next crop of raw materials and thus establish a sustainable recycling cycle for fashion items. This vision starts by looking at the end of the life cycle, prioritising low-impact raw materials, without toxic substances and, preferably, of organic origin, which allows for virtuous solutions when products reach the end of their life.

Our sustainability journey

1974/79
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1974-1979

1974
The territory in which Candiani is located, the Parco del Ticino, is designated a nature reserve, which means stricter restrictions and regulations for the production of denim.

1976
Realization of a circular system that allows the saving of water used for fabric dyeing.
We begin to recycle 100% of the cotton waste from our production.

1979
We replace conventional indigo with pre-reduced indigo.

1995-1999

1995
To save as much water as possible in the yarn rinsing process before and after dyeing, we created a water recycling system that reuses the water from the Sanfor machines.

1999
The beginning of a long series of investments in the finishing department that is still ongoing.

2001-2005

2001
Creation of a new system that uses a portion of the emitted CO2 to neutralize the PH value of our waste water replacing totally the use of hydrochloric acid.
Installation of a heat exchange system at the Thermal Power Station in order to reduce energy consumption.

2002
First installation of a heat recovery system in the finishing department to generate steam.

2004
Loom Sphere installation at the new Malvaglio plant. This investment allowed us to save 74% of energy and 63% of water in the weaving department. Replacement of polysulphides with glucose in the dyeing process.

2005
Become ISO14001: 2004 Environmental Management System certified.
Begin participating in the EU Emissions Trading following the ratification of the Kyoto protocol.

2008-2010

2008
Expansion of the heat recovery system in the finishing department.

2010
Achievement of the SA8000 Social Accountability certification.
Replacement of Rameuse machinery in the finishing department with energy saving alternatives.
The pre-reduced indigo used by Candiani is recognized with the Oeko-tex Eco Passport.

2011-2013

2011
The first denim producer in the world to join the Better Cotton Initiative, which today replaces our entire supply of conventional cotton.

2012
First experiment with post-consumer jeans recycling.
Introduction of Tencel ™ fiber by Lenzing.

2013
Candiani becomes GOTS, Global Organic Textile Standards certified.
Construction of the Candiani Development Center, a laundry that aims to create the most efficient combination of fabric and wash to reduce the environmental impact while reaching the aesthetic targets of our customers.
Loom Sphere installation at the Robecchetto plant. This investment allowed us to save 74% of energy and 63% of water in the weaving department.

2014-2015

2014
Launch of the N-denim dyeing technology that reduces the dyeing vats from 7 to only 2. A dyeing technology that allows for a deeper penetration of the color into the yarn in order to create no-fade aesthetics.
Launch of Indigo Juice® dyeing technology that keeps the indigo superficial on the yarn in order to facilitate the wash down in the laundry and an easy to achieve vintage aesthetic.
Introduction of Archroma EarthColors®, natural dyes derived from agricultural or herbal industry waste.
Begin the replacement of outdated motors with a more efficient IE3 electric version in the finishing and weaving departments to increase energy efficiency.
Installation of LED lights to increase luminosity by 30% and at the same time reduce energy consumption by 50%.

2015
Candiani becomes the majority shareholder in the most important industrial waste and liquid waste treatment plant, Ecologica Naviglio, in the Parco del Ticino.
Candiani signs Greenpeace DETOX commitment.

2016-2017

2016
Candiani obtains the exclusive use of the Kitotex® patent for the production of denim fabric.
Creation of the Candiani Development Center in Los Angeles dedicated to supporting the American premium denim industry.
Publication of the first sustainability report.
Installation of Selvedge Saver system resulting in an estimated savings of 62% in raw materials annually.
Replacement of the remaining rapier looms with new projectile looms to increase energy efficiency.

2017
Candiani joins the ZDHC program.
Introduction of the new Shaper finishing technology that enhances the aesthetic, tactile and performance characteristics of stretch denim fabrics without the use of water and chemicals.
Replace wash tanks on mercerizing line to optimize water recovery.
Upgrade Thermal Power Plant with high efficiency measures.

2017-2018

2017-2018
Replace inverter on the Benninger line with a closed-loop system.

2018
Adopt OCS (Organic Content Standard) Certification
Adopt GRS (Global Recycled Standard) Certification
Adopt RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) Certification
Launch of our innovative, 80th anniversary Re-Gen fabric.
Collaborate with Archroma to create EarthColors® Earth-Cotton dye.
Launch of the first Open Mill Day at the Robecchetto and Malvaglio plant.
Optimize Sanfor water recovery system.
Upgrade QC assessment system to increase precision in quality control and minimize the production of second choice fabric.
First HIGG FEM verification audit.

2019-2020

2019
Establish Blue Collars Srl as Candiani's exclusive in-house branding, marketing and retail operations.
The Candiani Denim Store opens its doors in the heart of Milan.
Candiani wins TextilWirtschaft Forum Prize.
Candiani wins ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award for the ReGen fabric conceived in partnership with Lenzing.
Launch ReLast collection with partner Roica.
Candiani becomes ZDHC contributor.

2020
Obtain the patent for Candiani's COREVA™ technology, the World's first compostable stretch denim.
COREVA™ is awarded with Positive Luxury Award for Innovation of the Year 2020.
COREVA™ is awarded with Drapers Sustainable Textile Innovation 2020 award.
Candiani becomes founding members of SDA Bocconi's Monitor for Circular Fashion working group.

2021

Inaugurate Candiani Custom, the World's first micro-factory that produces made-to-measure jeans in the historic city center of Milan using industrial processes in a boutique space.
Candiani acquires the Kitotex® patent.
Adopt the UNECE Sustainability Pledge guidelines as founding elements of the Monitor for Circular Fashion.
Collaborate with Humana People to People Italia to create Candiani's PCR program that allows to scale the recycling of jeans at their end of life.
Collaborate with Product DNA to build a digital traceability platform.
Offset 1000 tons of CO2 by supporting a renewable energy project in Santa Vitória do Palmar in Brazil.
Adopt the ISO 9001 certification.
Candiani becomes the first company in the World to be certified according to the Regenagri® Chain of Custody standard.

We recycle 100% of our cotton waste

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Pioneering through technology

Evolution is an integral part of our DNA. We work in order to continuously push our limits, constantly discovering and developing cutting-edge solutions that will minimise our environmental impact.

Pioneering through technology

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