Environment & Sustainability
A full 80 per cent of our manufacturing involves recycled fibre or natural fibre and we recycle 10 tonnes of fibre every month!
We recycle 10 tonnes of fibre every month!
Just around the corner from our building are beech forests, meadows and lakes. The road to Sporda winds through agricultural and forest land. We have never been required to obtain any environmental permits, thanks to our focus on sustainable materials since our beginnings in 1939. When setting up a plant on the same land where we live, thinking in terms of the environment is a matter of course. Such considerations have remained with us, giving us an advantage when it comes to both natural materials and recycled fibre. A full 80 per cent of our manufacturing involves recycled fibre or natural fibre, and we recycle 10 tonnes of fibre every month!
Environmental benefits of nonwoven materials
Sweden ranks among the highest in the world for the recycling of PET bottles. In 2019, Sweden’s inhabitants recycled an average of 208 bottles/cans per capita. More than 23,000 tonnes of PET materials was recycled. At Sporda, we began using recycled PET in our production processes from early on.
PET, also known as polyethylene terephthalate, is made of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. PET is classified as a safe plastic by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. At Sporda, recycled PET accounts for a somewhat incredible 80 per cent of our total synthetic fibre production.
Sporda has a green product portfolio of nonwoven materials
Used PET bottles are recycled into synthetic fibre and returned to us as new products.
Some of the empty bottles that you recycle through bottle-deposit schemes are process by our suppliers, to recover polymers for the manufacture new fibres for new products. Although “recycled” products are not always seen in a good light, numerous polymeric materials are ideal for recycling and have the capacity to retain good performance. PET is one such material. Most people have been in contact with such products at one time or another, without realising that they were actually made from recycled materials.
Internal recycling
The same is true for fibre recycling in our own internal processes. Some of our surplus textile materials from proprietary production are recirculated into their respective products. We have been setting up specific logistics and equipment for this purpose over the years, which allows for us to recycle at ever higher levels and recover ever more of our products.
Polyester fibres that may be discarded for different reasons in the course of our production, is processed internally and recirculated into production. Ergo, polyester fibres are an excellent example of a circular economy.
We follow an intentional environmental strategy and select all of the materials used for our product portfolio so as to cause the least possible environmental impact. Furthermore, nearly all of our products are under the Oeko-Tex® 100 label.
Confidence, through the Oeko-Tex® 100 label
OEKO-TEX® 100 is an independent global testing and certification system for textile products at all stages of production, from unprocessed, intermediate to finished. Certification is requisite on textiles in the finished product being free from any harmful chemicals. Download the certificates
All of the items in Sporda’s product range are labelled under Oeko-Tex® 100, with the exception of hemp fibres and industrial textile waste.
Sporda’s commitment to the environment
The history of Sporda began in 1939, which was also the year when our commitment to the environment began. Consequently, we have acquired an extensive experience in maintaining a focus on sustainability. Although from the onset, it was mainly a matter of the Sporda plant sharing the same piece of land as the family who owned it, in subsequent years, environmental issues began to assume an increasing and much needed role in society as a whole – and from a global perspective.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN’s Global Goals have provided a shared sustainability platform for signatory nations throughout the world as of 1 January 2016. Sustainability policies have been jointly effected by government representatives, private sector players, researchers and civil society across the globe. Ten million people made their voices heard through MyWorld2015 and until 2030, you can make your voice heard concerning the Sustainable Development Goals MyWorld2030.
Sporda works with the UN’s Global Goals
Sporda has not only welcomed five of the UN Global Goals, but embraced them as our own.
Gender equality
Employees at Sporda Nonwoven AB are to be treated equally and given the same opportunities for personal advancement, regardless of gender, ethnicity or philosophy of life. Company management is responsible for ensuring that employees are treated and treat each other on equal terms, and that employees are equitably assessed based on their personal capacity and competence with respect to employment, duties, personal development and pay structure. In this regard, we have a gender equality plan according to which we work.
Our operations are strengthened by the diversity within our workforce and management with respect to the variety of experiences and differences in approach – a diversity that contributes to our continuous improvement.
Sustainable energy for everyone
Sustainable operations are contingent on the company purchasing power and heating from renewable sources, such as wind and hydropower. Our machinery is run by electric motors with speed controls to ensure that we do not consume more energy than is necessary. When considering new investments, the assessment of energy consumption is pivotal to our decision making. In line with our policy of continuous improvements, we determine the best offers in the market based on technical production performance and sustainability.
Sustainable industry, innovations and infrastructure
Working with sustainable raw materials made from recycled and natural materials has been the essence of our operations ever since our founding in 1939. This entails being well prepared – in terms of our work methods and our offerings for existing products and new product development – for the transition requirements of our business environment. Our unwavering offering funnels our customers into making sustainable choices when interacting with us.
We impose requirements on freight companies to use vehicles with a Euro 6 standard. Our own vehicle fleet is transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles. We have stepped up our digital presence and are now offering our customers the option of conducting video meetings with us where appropriate, which improves our efficiency and availability, and reduces our contributions to carbon emissions in terms of traffic. We also offer our employees the opportunity to work from home where appropriate.
Sustainable industry, innovations and infrastructure
Our products are free from chemical additives, thanks to our production technologies with manufacturing stages that are strictly limited to heat and mechanical processing. We recycle approximately 80 per cent of our own materials derived from waste products generated through in-house processes, with the firm target of recycling at a rate of 100 per cent. Furthermore, our goal is to enable the conversion of surplus materials in our market, and in the long-term, our portion of the end-consumer product. We use electricity from renewable production sources, such as wind and hydropower.
Climate action
Our achievements and legacy to posterity are contingent upon opportunities for sustainable consumption. Our concept is to develop textile nonwoven products made from sustainable materials and processes, and to influence our customers’ decisions to use our materials to make better products for a better future. We have the expertise and advantage of being in a position to inform our market that this is achievable through recycled synthetic fibres such as recycled PET, regenerated materials, recyclable materials, compostable materials and natural animal and plant material. We are closely monitoring bio-innovative developments with cellulose-based materials, as well as the environmental footprint caused by the procurement and production of natural fibre. Our suppliers share our vision and we are always happy to make new acquaintances. We are well aware that there is always more than meets the eye.
- Gender equality
-
Gender equality
Employees at Sporda Nonwoven AB are to be treated equally and given the same opportunities for personal advancement, regardless of gender, ethnicity or philosophy of life. Company management is responsible for ensuring that employees are treated and treat each other on equal terms, and that employees are equitably assessed based on their personal capacity and competence with respect to employment, duties, personal development and pay structure. In this regard, we have a gender equality plan according to which we work.
Our operations are strengthened by the diversity within our workforce and management with respect to the variety of experiences and differences in approach – a diversity that contributes to our continuous improvement.
- Sustainable energy
-
Sustainable energy for everyone
Sustainable operations are contingent on the company purchasing power and heating from renewable sources, such as wind and hydropower. Our machinery is run by electric motors with speed controls to ensure that we do not consume more energy than is necessary. When considering new investments, the assessment of energy consumption is pivotal to our decision making. In line with our policy of continuous improvements, we determine the best offers in the market based on technical production performance and sustainability.
- Sustainable development
-
Sustainable industry, innovations and infrastructure
Working with sustainable raw materials made from recycled and natural materials has been the essence of our operations ever since our founding in 1939. This entails being well prepared – in terms of our work methods and our offerings for existing products and new product development – for the transition requirements of our business environment. Our unwavering offering funnels our customers into making sustainable choices when interacting with us.
We impose requirements on freight companies to use vehicles with a Euro 6 standard. Our own vehicle fleet is transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles. We have stepped up our digital presence and are now offering our customers the option of conducting video meetings with us where appropriate, which improves our efficiency and availability, and reduces our contributions to carbon emissions in terms of traffic. We also offer our employees the opportunity to work from home where appropriate.
- Responsible production
-
Sustainable industry, innovations and infrastructure
Our products are free from chemical additives, thanks to our production technologies with manufacturing stages that are strictly limited to heat and mechanical processing. We recycle approximately 80 per cent of our own materials derived from waste products generated through in-house processes, with the firm target of recycling at a rate of 100 per cent. Furthermore, our goal is to enable the conversion of surplus materials in our market, and in the long-term, our portion of the end-consumer product. We use electricity from renewable production sources, such as wind and hydropower.
- Climate change
-
Climate action
Our achievements and legacy to posterity are contingent upon opportunities for sustainable consumption. Our concept is to develop textile nonwoven products made from sustainable materials and processes, and to influence our customers’ decisions to use our materials to make better products for a better future. We have the expertise and advantage of being in a position to inform our market that this is achievable through recycled synthetic fibres such as recycled PET, regenerated materials, recyclable materials, compostable materials and natural animal and plant material. We are closely monitoring bio-innovative developments with cellulose-based materials, as well as the environmental footprint caused by the procurement and production of natural fibre. Our suppliers share our vision and we are always happy to make new acquaintances. We are well aware that there is always more than meets the eye.
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