Gabriel_Annual_Report_2024-25 - Flipbook - Page 52
CONTENTS // SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT // ENVIRONMENT – RESOURCE USE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Activities related to resource use and circular economy
Gabriel’s target customers are market leaders whose
requirements centre on product lifetime and durability,
and quality and environmental management must be
documented. Gabriel works on resource use and circular economy and in compliance with its sustainability
strategy and policy, which are integral to business model
and product development.
fibre and wool the preferred natural fibre. Gabriel is
expanding its range of products made with recycled
and all-natural fibres. Both wool and polyester possess
many properties that suit them very well to upholstery
and hard wear, for example because they retain their
colour and shape over time and can be used for various
shapes and structures.
The main product categories are fabrics, furniture (FurnMaster) and sample and decision-making tools (SampleMaster).
Gabriel focuses on textile-to-textile recycling in the transition to circular economy. Gabriel LOOP is the circular
business model by which textile waste is turned into
new fabric through take-back systems that contribute
to closed loops and reduced resource use.
Fabrics
Gabriel designs fabrics with a focus on materials selection and product design. Environmental impacts are assessed in the product development phase.
The selection and use of materials are critical to product
function and lifetime. Gabriel focuses on usable life
when developing fabrics. Standard collection furniture
fabrics are therefore delivered with a ten-year guarantee; their expected durability is longer. Gabriel recommends maintaining fabrics during use as this can
extend their usable life. If fabric gets stained, Gabriel’s
spot removal guide can be used. If the fabric is damaged
by a sharp object, for example, and cannot be mended
adequately by stitching, it is preferable to re-upholster
the furniture or component rather than discard the entire
piece of furniture.
Using recycled materials is a priority in Gabriel’s product
development process. Polyester is the preferred technical
It is part of Gabriel’s strategy towards 2029/30 to continue to develop fabrics that are highly durable, recyclable
and made of recycled fibres. This strategy includes communication of maintenance possibilities. Gabriel thereby
supports the EU textile strategy which promotes a circular
textile industry. The strategy requires that textile products
must be more durable, recyclable, repairable and made
from recycled fibres from 2030. Gabriel embraces its
responsibility to contribute actively to this development
through voluntary activities and goals.
In 2024/25, Gabriel launched three designs in 100%recycled and recyclable materials. One is Cura LOOP,
which contains 100% textile-to-textile recycled fibres.
Gabriel's global standard portfolio offers 36 designs
containing recycled materials, of which seven contain
textile-to-textile recycled fibres. Gabriel has set targets
for recycled fibre use in 2029/30.
FurnMaster
Gabriel’s FurnMaster subsidiaries make furniture to customer specifications. This limits Gabriel’s influence on
materials selection and design but work is in progress
to foster circular alternatives in partnership with the
customers.
FurnMaster offers materials for furniture production.
The key resources are furniture fabrics, wood, furniture
foam, plastic components and metal. FurnMaster offers
a range of recycled and ecolabelled components. All
units hold a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) licence
and offer FSC MIX-certified wood.
Materials usage is optimised to reduce or eliminate
waste as a targeted effort in the development process.
The customers are responsible for preparing repair
guidelines and documenting product durability.
SampleMaster
SampleMaster offers sample resources and solutions to
decision-making. SampleMaster contributes to circular
economy by providing solutions that extend product
lifetimes. The products are scalable and parts can be
replaced if needs change or a component is damaged.
SampleMaster develops customer-specific solutions
where the products’ physical lifetimes depend on the
chosen construction and materials. The company
designs and produces physical presentation solutions
like sample cards and sample collections constructed to
resist intensive use in sales and marketing environments.
If handled normally, these products’ physical lifetime is
up to 15-20 years. However, the commercial lifetime of
collections is typically shorter as trends, fashion and materials change over time. SampleMaster’s solutions are
therefore optimised for long durability and replacement
in step with new collections.
SampleMaster recommends the use of ecolabelled
materials. Customers are offered water-based paint
and lacquer for metal, plastic and wood and only
water-based glue is used. SampleMaster offers certified wooden components and uses certified cardboard
and paper. Excess leather from other productions is
offered for straps and handles. Materials consumption
is optimised in the development process to eliminate or
reduce waste.
Documentation
Documentation is a central tool in Gabriel’s commitment
to responsible materials consumption and sourcing. The
company is certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001,
which ensures that processes are in place for quality and
environmental management. These include materials
selection, resource efficiency and environmental impact.
The EU Ecolabel, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, FSC etc.
are also used to document the environmental impact,
chemical content and durability of products. In addition,
Gabriel is increasingly providing EPDs to inform customers and users of the environmental impacts of fabrics.
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