The European market for professional and protective clothing is highly competitive. We are different because we implement a traditionally and strategically anchored philosophy for sustainability with utmost consistency.

Since the year 2000, we have been using the environmental management system ISO 14001 and since 2012 the energy management system EN 16001/ISO 50001 to optimize even more. In general, we work with heat recovery, waste recycling & reduction, CO2-free power generation by hydropower and production-efficient effluent utilization.

On the product side, we have been meeting the ultra-high requirements of the international bluesign® standard of the textile industry since 2008 and we produce all our fabrics according to the specifications of the standard 100 by Öko-Tex, product class 1 (so-called “baby class”).

As a matter of fact, as early as 2014, we switched from C8 chemistry to the ecologically more sensitive C6 chemistry.

Among other things, we use the following sustainable raw materials for our fabrics: tencel fibres from the wood of sustainably cultivated plantations; Fairtrade cotton; recycled polyester. In Cradle-to-Cradle-certified textiles, we replace the conventional polyester with an antimony-free and biodegradable polymer (launch of a significantly expanded collection in October 2017).

Through its energy and environmental policy, Lauffenmühle GmbH & Co. KG is setting an environmental policy framework that is mandatory for all decisions taken at the two locations in Southern Germany. All processes and activities as well as all products and services are continually monitored for their direct environmental impact. We commit ourselves to reducing our energy consumption in the long term and to increase our energy efficiency through a continuous improvement process.

To choose energy, auxiliary materials and equipment necessary for production, we generally keep in mind the criteria of environmental protection. On the procurement side, suppliers and products are selected by using ecological, energy-saving, qualitative and economic criteria to influence the respective decisions.

Since 2000, Lauffenmühle has been managing environmental concerns through the environmental management system ISO 14001. It supports our company to continuously optimize the environmental performance through

• Planning: the definition of environmental targets and corresponding measures, responsibilities and procedures
• Implementation: implementation of the defined measures and procedures
• Control: verification of the competences and procedures as well as the environmental management measures and environmental management guidelines (so-called “environmental policy”) of the organization
• Improvement: adaptation of responsibilities, procedures and measures as well as, where appropriate, the environment and environmental guidelines

Rising energy and raw material prices and stiffer competition are making the rational use of energy more important than ever before. Systematic energy management is an effective, already proven measure to reduce specific energy consumption and energy costs. At the same time, direct and indirect CO2 emissions, i.e. the Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) of the company, can be reduced.

The energy management system ISO 50001 was introduced in the company in 2012. It particularly enables the systematic detection of energy currents and thus serves, among other things, as a basis for deciding on investments that optimize energy efficiency. In addition, it positively influences the organizational and technical processes as well as behaviour. The goal is always to reduce the operational total energy consumption from an economic point of view and to continuously improve the energy efficiency of our company. Today, Lauffenmühle uses 50% of its energy supply from renewable sources.

Based on its energy and environmental policy, Lauffenmühle GmbH & Co. KG is setting an environmental policy framework that is binding in all decisions taken at both locations in Southern Germany.

All processes and activities, as well as all products and services, are continually being checked for their direct environmental impact: We commit ourselves to both reduce our energy consumption in the long term and to increase our energy efficiency by continuously improving our processes.

In order to achieve these goals, our energy management system has been certified according to DIN EN ISO 50001; we make sure everything required by this standard is properly implemented and the corresponding processes are continuously improved.

1. Being in charge for the areas of energy, environmental protection, labour safety, product quality and consumer protection, the management is initiating the following decisive impulses: The responsibilities have been defined and the corresponding employees have been integrated into the implementation of our energy management system. It is also our permanent task to anchor our energy and environmental awareness throughout our entire workforce even more strongly than before, by continuously informing and training the employees from all sectors.
2. Renewable energy already represents 50% of our energy consumption; in addition, we promote the development of energy-, environment- and resource-friendly products and processes. As an innovative pioneer in the industry, Lauffenmühle has since 2013 been providing products that have been developed and produced following the cradle-to-cradle principle. Environmental pollution resulting from the development of new products and the introduction of new processes is already being examined and assessed before the start of production. The corresponding decisions and measures are derived based on the following criteria: We use raw materials, energy, water and other goods as sparingly as possible.
3. It is with full respect for the criteria of environmental protection that we select energy, auxiliary materials and materials necessary for production. To this end, the selection of suppliers and products is made by integrating the ecological aspects into the respective decisions in compliance with the energy-saving, qualitative and economic criteria.
4. To save energy, water and other resources, we commit ourselves to a continuous increase in efficiency in all operational production processes and activities. Furthermore, we are working on the continuous improvement of our production process technologies with the goal of reducing waste from raw materials and wastewater.
   Lauffenmühle GmbH & Co. KG undertakes to provide the resources and the information necessary to achieve the strategic and operational objectives of this environmental and energy policy. In addition, we regularly assess, document and evaluate both direct and indirect environmental impacts to provide a base for and implement the appropriate corrective measures.
5. We undertake to comply with all applicable requirements such as environmental and energy laws and regulations, irrespective of whether they are based on legal obligations or self-commitment. In addition, we constantly strive to minimize pollutant emissions and to avoid these whenever possible.
6. In order to minimize possible accident-related emissions, emergency and hazard plans have been prepared which are available to the relevant authorities. These plans are regularly reviewed and updated.
7. Through both an open dialogue and an active communication policy, we are trying to improve the understanding of the environmental impact of our production in the public. We provide our customers comprehensive advice on the environmental aspects of our products right up to their disposal.
8. The awareness of our employees of environmental and energy concerns as well as of a safety-conscious behaviour is achieved through internal communication and training. Through an already installed corporate suggestion scheme, our employees can actively contribute to the improvement of the quality of operational environmental protection and occupational safety.

In order to implement these energy-related and environmental guidelines, we have set specific targets anchored in an energy and environmental programme. These objectives are continually being updated and the achievement of the objectives reviewed; correction measures are promptly controlled based on the results of the corresponding deviation analyses.