In Focus: Erreà - Sustainability & Technical Excellence
Since 1988, Erreà has been producing sports and technical clothing able to boost the performance of those who love practicing and experiencing sport, ensuring high standards of quality, safety and comfort.
What sets Erreà apart from its main competitors is that it was the first company in Europe in the teamwear sector to achieve STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification in 2007. This standard focuses on health and safety requirements, setting extremely strict limits on product components. As a result, the fabrics ensure a high standard of safety in compliance with leading international standards.
Furthermore, the company has obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification, as it is committed every day to monitoring and improving organisation and control, optimising processes and reducing inefficiencies, thereby increasing the quality of its products and services.
Erreà is built on core values that promote a healthy and supportive work environment, influencing every aspect of its business decisions and operations. The company believes that enhancing its organisational value through a better work environment can lead to positive transformations. This represents not only an achievement but also a new beginning, allowing the company to remain aligned with international market standards.
However, this is not enough. In an era where the global push towards sustainability is more urgent than ever, particularly in line with the commitments of the Paris Agreement, adopting sustainable practices has become crucial due to the growing focus on environmental and social issues.
The fashion industry, known for its significant environmental impact, is at the forefront of this call for change. The sector is indeed demonstrating an increasing commitment to reducing emissions and embracing sustainability.
This awareness drives Erreà to optimise processes and reduce waste, contributing to its commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement.
All this has made it necessary to create the Sustainability Manifesto, which highlights Erreà’s commitment to responsible practices and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, while outlining the company’s environmental goals and strategic direction for emissions reduction.
“We firmly believe that environmental responsibility must be a central priority in our company’s journey,” says Roberto Gandolfi, Vice President of Erreà.
“We aim to take a leadership role in adopting responsible business practices, knowing that only through a steadfast commitment can we have a positive impact on both our company and the environment in which we operate.”
The Sustainability Manifesto primarily focuses on five key areas: reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions, lowering the carbon footprint per unit sold, increasing the use of responsible materials, and minimising waste.
Reduction of Scope 1 Emissions
One of the main goals is to reduce Scope 1 emissions, i.e. direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources owned or controlled by Erreà. To achieve this goal, the company invests in energy efficient technologies and equipment designed to minimise energy consumption and emissions in the corporate facilities. It also continuously monitors and optimises production processes with a view to finding opportunities to reduce emissions and implement sustainable practices throughout direct production.
Reduction of Scope 2 Emissions
Another major goal is the reduction of Scope 2 emissions; these include the indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with the electricity consumed by Erreà. To achieve this goal, the company has undertaken to use renewable energy for all of its operations.
By harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, it aims to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to a minimum and decrease our carbon footprint. It is also actively seeking partnerships with renewable energy suppliers and exploring on-site renewable energy generation options so as to be able to guarantee a cleaner energy supply for its facilities.
Reduction of Carbon Footprint per Unit Sold
Erreà has set itself an ambitious goal to reduce its carbon footprint per unit sold by 30% by 2030. In order to achieve this, the company has adopted a multi-faceted approach.
First and foremost, it has been conducting in-depth carbon footprint life cycle assessments so as to pinpoint the key carbon-intensive areas in the product supply chains. And it has been exploring opportunities for optimising its selection of materials, its manufacturing processes and its logistics with a view to minimising emissions throughout the product life-cycle. It has also been promoting research and development initiatives for the purpose of finding innovative and sustainable materials with a lower carbon footprint.
Increase of Responsible Materials
The company acknowledges the importance of responsible sourcing of materials to achieve sustainable practices, aiming to increase the share of products made from responsible materials to 20% of total annual production within 2030. To achieve this, Erreà works closely with suppliers to ensure transparency and traceability along the supply chain. And it prioritises the use of recycled materials and other environmentally friendly alternatives. By promoting responsible material choices, it contributes to the circular economy and reduces the environmental impact of raw material extraction.
Minimisation of Waste
Minimising waste in all our operations is a key strategy for Erreà. The company constantly strives to optimise its production processes so as to improve precision and reduce wastage of materials. This involves the adoption of lean manufacturing principles and of advanced technologies and investments in state-of-the-art machinery in order to maximise efficiency.
The company also takes an active part in recycling and waste management programmes designed to divert waste from landfills. By minimising the generation of waste, the company is making every effort to guarantee more sustainable and resource-efficient operation.
Looking ahead, Erreà aims to integrate these sustainable practices into its core business model, creating lasting value for its customers, partners and the planet. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, the company’s dedication to innovation, responsibility and transparency will remain key drivers of its success in shaping a more sustainable future for sportswear.
