Sustainability Report 2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 19
Responsible production
Gabriel is working on reducing its impact on the environment in general and particularly where the effect is greatest. The company monitors consumption and emissions
and continually works on solutions to minimise impacts. The production of fabrics
consumes materials, energy and water while the production of furniture and sample
materials primarily requires materials and energy.
Management systems
The Gabriel Group and the wholly-owned companies have
an integrated management system. Gabriel’s head office and
most of the production facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
certified. All FurnMaster production companies have an FSC
licence. See certificates here.
Materials
Raw materials are valuable and account for a large part of the
total impact on the environment and climate. Material waste
must therefore be minimised and constantly monitored. This
has been incorporated into the company’s systems for many
years and waste reduction and recycling options are implemented regularly.
Ensuring the quality of raw materials, products, and processes is an integral part of the company’s production setup.
As a result, waste due to quality issues is minimised. There
is constant focus on producing the right quantity to prevent
overproduction and waste of finished goods. Gabriel’s policy
is not to destroy discontinued goods from the standard collection. If Gabriel has a surplus of its own finished goods, efforts
are made to sell, donate or, as a last resort, recycle them.
Biodiversity
Mapping of the impact on biodiversity in the fabrics’ life
cycle is in progress, focusing first on wool production and
wastewater as they are considered to be significant. Specific
conditions at different geographic locations may cause
varying potential impacts on biodiversity, which is taken into
account. This approach encompasses biodiversity from raw
materials extraction to production, use and disposal. The EU
Ecolabel is life cycle-based and used intensively and increasingly. This restricts the use of pesticides, dyes etc. which are
harmful to the aquatic environment. In addition, life cycle
assessments will be a source of insight and improvements
in the future.
Partners
Gabriel works closely with suppliers who are able to meet
the Group’s demands in relation to quality and the environment and are trusted by Gabriel. The collaboration is assessed each quarter. Principal suppliers are contractually
obliged by Gabriel’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which deals
with subjects such as human rights, animal welfare, anti-corruption and bribery. Gabriel’s Supplier Code of Conduct can
be found at gabriel.dk.
Energy
Energy consumption in Gabriel’s production units is monitored closely and improvement work is proceeding. The Gabriel
Group is CO2e-neutral in scope 1 and 2. Since 2020, Gabriel
has established and expanded its own energy supply from
solar panels on the most energy-demanding facilities, which
are the weaving mill and Gabriel’s part-owned dyehouse. See
pages 12-13 and 32-33 for more.
Water
Fabric dyeing and finishing processes are water-intensive.
Water consumption at Gabriel’s part-owned dyehouse Scandye
is monitored all the time and the company’s use of water
always aligned with the local authorities. Wastewater is
treated to prevent pollution, and dyes and chemicals under
labelling systems such as the EU Ecolabel are primarily
used as these systems’ requirements are stricter than the
law mandates. Focus during the year has been on mapping
microfibre release during wet textile processing at Scandye.
This focus continues in the next financial year.
One of Gabriel’s circular knitting machines which produces
Beyond Loop and other fabrics.
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