Textile design crucial for environmentally friendly textiles
Producing environmentally friendly textiles starts with textile design. By considering factors such as material choices, energy efficiency, production processes, packaging, use phase, and eventual disposal or recycling of the product during the design process. This is also known as eco-design. Additionally, to assess how we can reduce the impact as a furniture fabric supplier and wholesale distributor in Europe, we evaluate the impact of our fabrics. Therefore, an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) is conducted for each fabric in our collection. We would be happy to provide more information about this.
Environmentally friendly textiles contribute to sustainability in the wholesale fabric suppliers in Europe
To assess the savings of FABRAA furniture fabrics, we measure the environmental effects of the fabrics through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by external partners. We measure according to the Cradle to Gate principle, which means we know the fabric’s impact until it leaves our warehouse. Independent organization bAwear performs these analyses for us. The methodology of bAwear is developed in collaboration with SimaPro, based on over 35 years of textile expertise, with the aim of creating an objective and specific impact calculation method for the textile industry. We receive all the data needed to calculate an LCA from our suppliers. Once we know the impact of our fabrics, we can work on reducing the impact as a furniture fabric supplier and wholesale distributor in Europe.
What is an LCA?
An LCA evaluates the environmental impact of a product or process throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to waste management. The LCA considers all aspects of the life cycle, such as raw material production, transportation, manufacturing process, use and maintenance, and disposal or recycling.
An LCA helps determine the environmental impacts and the factors contributing to them, thus identifying ways to reduce those impacts and make better decisions regarding the production, use, and disposal of products. LCA is considered a reliable method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product or process due to its completeness, transparency, standardization, independence, and continuous improvement.
Transparent calculation of environmental impact for environmentally friendly textiles
The bAwear model encompasses all processes in the supply chain, from material origin to packaging and transportation, including spinning, weaving/knitting, finishing, and production. The methodology utilizes relevant data on fibers, water consumption, energy consumption, climate impact, chemical usage, and land use from credible sources such as scientific research and external LCA databases. Through this comprehensive approach, bAwear can determine the complete environmental impact of the product. Customers deserve to know the full story of the textiles they purchase, and sustainable calculation and reporting require expertise and investment.
Benefits of an LCA
An LCA helps identify key environmental issues
By analyzing the entire life cycle of a product or service, an LCA can help identify the key environmental issues associated with the product or service. This can assist businesses in textile design for environmentally friendly textiles.
It promotes transparency and accountability
An LCA provides a transparent overview of the environmental impact of a product or service, which can contribute to the accountability of businesses. This can be important, for example, for complying with environmental regulations and meeting the requirements of customers and other stakeholders.
It facilitates comparisons between products and services
An LCA offers a standardized way to compare the environmental impact of different products and services. This can help consumers and businesses make more informed decisions about which products and services they want to buy or offer.
An LCA helps identify improvement opportunities
By analyzing the entire life cycle of a product or service, an LCA can help identify improvement opportunities and reduce the environmental impact of the product or service. This can lead to more efficient production processes, less waste, and lower CO2 equivalent emissions.
It aids in formulating environmental policies
An LCA can assist businesses in formulating environmental policies and determining priorities for environmental performance. It can also help businesses make decisions regarding sustainability investments and improving relationships with stakeholders.
Sustainable textile design can reduce environmental impact at wholesale fabric suppliers in Europe
Once the outcomes of an LCA are known and we understand the impact, we explore with our suppliers how to reduce the environmental impact of our sustainable furniture fabrics. Textile design and/or ecodesign promote the transition to a circular economy and contribute to environmentally friendly textiles.