Our sustainable soul
Our challenge is to offer products and services that are increasingly economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
Our sustainable soul
Our challenge is to offer products and services that are increasingly economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
Our
The sustainable path of Italian Converter®, which is transformed into the soul of the company, born from deep roots and from the desire to build innovation through conscious behaviours and actions since the theme was not easily developed through the industrial chain. We started a real process in 2017, creating and respecting custom chemical specifications with high standards. Since the beginning of our sustainable corporate path we have made concrete choices in research and application within our working method. The journey started and continued by transmitting these values to our supply chain, today an achievement reached by raising the quality standards annually. Italian Converter's commitment is to enhance and ensure maximum dedication to sustainability, overseeing all aspects of the company, especially those related to process and product. Over the years, this has led to the attainment of significant certifications and internationally recognized certification schemes, representing the Group's promise to offer increasingly sustainable products and services, as well as assurance and protection for our customers.
We started from scratch, from 2017 to the present day, and thanks to our tireless research, we now count 1.968 eco-friendly articles, including 142 certified according to the most important and stringent international certification schemes:
GOTS, GRS, RCS, OCS, STANDARD 100 by OEKOTEX®
Company certifications regarding enviromental and social management
Environmental Management System
This certification, for us, is the guarantee of our choices and actions. It embodies the outcomes of the steps we take throughout our work journey, reflecting decisions about processes with minimal environmental impact, the selection of raw materials with the least possible harm and choices among the best innovations through our constantly monitored and selected supply chain. It represents our ongoing quest for improvement in waste disposal methods and energy impact.
DOWNLOAD OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Management on
Social Responsibility
Italian Converter® has always believed in the professional growth of its employees. Through this certification, it ensures, in addition to willingness, an ever-evolving promise. Human connection, primarily formed by our own team and then extending to the network around the company encompassing all stakeholders, is the energy and soul that is consistently preserved and strengthened. We believe in the potential of the new generations.
We guarantee sustainability in every process
Italian Converter® represents the pursuit of excellence in innovation within the field of materials, fabrics, and raw materials for final products such as footwear, leather goods, clothing, and furniture & design. The R&D department together with our in-house laboratory, are in constant study and confirmation of creativity combined with technical expertise in the industry. Choosing Italian Converter® as a partner guarantees quality for innovation.
SOLVENT FREE
In response to the high specifications outlined by our clients, since the beginning of our sustainable journey, we have focused our efforts on researching and using materials completely free of solvents. It is thanks to this commitment that all couplings of Italian Converter® adhere to quality standards in line with ESG requirements and are SOLVENT FREE, ensuring a low environmental impact in the production process and disposal. This represents ecological innovation in the fashion world, guaranteeing impeccable performance without the use of environmentally harmful solvents.
DMFA FREE & TOLUOLO FREE
Italian Converter® offers Toluolo FREE and DMFA FREE coatings compliant with REACH regulations. By using DMFA below the limits allowed by regulations and upon request of our clients, we provide the option to have:
- Coated fabrics compliant with REACH regulations;
- Coated fabrics compliant with U.S. regulations (more stringent as it ensures the presence of DMFA in a quantity lower than that specified by REACH);
- DMFA FREE coated fabrics, meaning they do not contain DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE.
In our collection of coated fabrics, we present Gaucho Lak and Sigfrid Lak articles, DMFA FREE certified from a certified laboratory. For further details, please contact our sales department.
WATER BASED
Our commitment to offering a product that is increasingly sustainable and environmentally friendly is realized through the use of zero-impact and natural processes and finishes, first of all the WATER-BASED finishing. Since 2016 Italian Converter® has been proposing WATER-BASED COUPLINGS AND COATINGS. The production process does not involve any type of chemical solvent; instead, it employs an innovative water-based polyurethane. The use of this material does not compromise the technical characteristics of the fabric and contributes to the preservation of the planet due to its low environmental impact. As of today, 90% of our fabrics have a water-based finishing.
WR PFAS/PFOAS FREE TREATMENTS
Italian Converter®, upon customer request, offers fabrics with WR PFAS/PFOAS FREE treatments, without the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in compliance with recent international restrictions (REACH e U .S.)
METAL FREE
We ensure that all our fabrics are METAL FREE, meaning they do not contain the list of heavy metals that are harmful to the environment and human health.
SOLVENT FREE PRINTING
Following the path of using substances that are not harmful and respect the environment and people's health, Italian Converter guarantees the use of certified inks and printing processes.
TRACEABILITY
Italian Converter® adopts a traceability system for raw materials, semi-finished products, and the finished product, allowing the reconstruction of the history and evolution of a product: from the origin of raw materials to the shipment of the finished product to the customer.
RECYCLE PROCESS
We enhance the theme of recycling by proposing certified fabrics derived from pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled material, offering a wide range of options to meet every creative need.
BIODEGRADABILITY
We create organic natural yarns, which over time degrade under controlled conditions. We choose to limit the impact on the environment through the choice of fabrics that are created.
ORGANICITY
We choose organic natural yarns for a part of our certified products, in our collection we present fabrics of cotton, silk, linen, wool, hemp.
In response to the high specifications outlined by our clients, since the beginning of our sustainable journey, we have focused our efforts on researching and using materials completely free of solvents. It is thanks to this commitment that all couplings of Italian Converter® adhere to quality standards in line with ESG requirements and are SOLVENT FREE, ensuring a low environmental impact in the production process and disposal. This represents ecological innovation in the fashion world, guaranteeing impeccable performance without the use of environmentally harmful solvents.
Italian Converter® offers Toluolo FREE and DMFA FREE coatings compliant with REACH regulations. By using DMFA below the limits allowed by regulations and upon request of our clients, we provide the option to have:
- Coated fabrics compliant with REACH regulations;
- Coated fabrics compliant with U.S. regulations (more stringent as it ensures the presence of DMFA in a quantity lower than that specified by REACH);
- DMFA FREE coated fabrics, meaning they do not contain DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE.
In our collection of coated fabrics, we present Gaucho Lak and Sigfrid Lak articles, DMFA FREE certified from a certified laboratory. For further details, please contact our sales department.
Our commitment to offering a product that is increasingly sustainable and environmentally friendly is realized through the use of zero-impact and natural processes and finishes, first of all the WATER-BASED finishing. Since 2016 Italian Converter® has been proposing WATER-BASED COUPLINGS AND COATINGS. The production process does not involve any type of chemical solvent; instead, it employs an innovative water-based polyurethane. The use of this material does not compromise the technical characteristics of the fabric and contributes to the preservation of the planet due to its low environmental impact. As of today, 90% of our fabrics have a water-based finishing.
Italian Converter®, upon customer request, offers fabrics with WR PFAS/PFOAS FREE treatments, without the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in compliance with recent international restrictions (REACH e U .S.)
We ensure that all our fabrics are METAL FREE, meaning they do not contain the list of heavy metals that are harmful to the environment and human health.
Following the path of using substances that are not harmful and respect the environment and people's health, Italian Converter guarantees the use of certified inks and printing processes.
Italian Converter® adopts a traceability system for raw materials, semi-finished products, and the finished product, allowing the reconstruction of the history and evolution of a product: from the origin of raw materials to the shipment of the finished product to the customer.
We enhance the theme of recycling by proposing certified fabrics derived from pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled material, offering a wide range of options to meet every creative need.
We create organic natural yarns, which over time degrade under controlled conditions. We choose to limit the impact on the environment through the choice of fabrics that are created.
We choose organic natural yarns for a part of our certified products, in our collection we present fabrics of cotton, silk, linen, wool, hemp.
Sustainability Report
Integrated reports
As a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to the sustainable path on ESG issues we present our integrated reports, voluntary statements that the group, led by CEO Costantino Karazissis and his sons, chooses to annually endorse. These reports provide insight for all stakeholders interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the reality of Italian Converter®.
THE ESG PERFORMANCE
The commitment of Italian Converter along the value chain, beyond the Reach
Italian Converter Srl - aligned with the highest international standards - employs, in its most updated version, its own PRSL/MRSL specifications, aimed at restricting the use of impactful chemical substances by the supply chain. This is done to manage the Chemicals used in Italian Converter productions responsibly, reducing risks for consumers, customers, employees, and minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
Social responsibility
Italian Converter®
related to the territory
Collaborations related to the environmental dimension:
TREEDOM
The company has created its own small Italian Converter® "forest" which currently consists of 740 trees planted in 5 different countries, resulting in a calculated CO2 offset of 174,800 kg.
ASSOCIAZIONE LIFEGATE
Adhering to the program «BEE MY FUTURE», the initiative involves the adoption of a hive containing about 50,000 bees, which are bred by an experienced beekeeper, for the production of honey in an urban context and in compliance with the guiding principles of organic.
Charity projects
ASSOCIAZIONE MADRE AMABILE
Based in Vigevano since 1990, with the aim of offering educational interventions for minors, within the Lombardy Region. Today, it is a temporary residential community with socio-therapeutic and educational purposes, focused on developing the capabilities of the residents for eventual autonomy. This includes temporary family placement, facilitating social and familial reintegration.
ASSOCIAZIONE IL FILEREMO
Disability Guidance Center, based in Vigevano since 1987, was established as a welcoming facility for individuals with disabilities, providing a place that offers new stimuli and interests once compulsory schooling is completed. We contribute to the realization of their project "La Casa del Filèremo," which aims to support people with disabilities in paths towards independent living. This allows them to autonomously decide where, how, and with whom to live their adult lives, gradually gaining independence from their parents, in a home that truly feels like home.
A.I.A.S. (ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA ASSISTENZA SPASTICI ONLUS) sezione di Vigevano
Non-profit social utility organization based in Rome, established since 1968, operating in the field of social assistance with the aim of helping individuals who are physically and/or mentally disadvantaged to become, to the extent possible, physically and socially independent. The Vigevano section aims to promote the physical, social, and economic autonomy of people with disabilities, as well as to advise and assist families of individuals with disabilities.
ASSOCIAZIONE MAMA YOVO’ VIGEVANO
The volunteer organization Mama Yovò was officially founded, with a constitution, on January 15, 2023. It has 13 founding members, supplemented by 20 volunteers who dedicate their time to various needs. To date, 5 humanitarian missions have been organized: 2 in Uganda, 2 in Benin, and 1 in Romagna following a severe flood. The primary objective of these missions is to provide concrete assistance by supporting the 3 orphanages in Uganda and their young residents, as well as acquiring land to enable farming and animal husbandry.
Re-Converter:
New Lives for Production Waste
One of the core values that has always inspired Italian Converter® is environmental sustainability and a constant commitment to circular economies. The company has launched the Re-Converter project with the aim of promoting and enhancing a path that optimizes and minimizes the environmental impact, even in terms of production. We draw inspiration from the concept "As good as new," a vision that allows us to see production waste as a new productive textile resource, ensuring a second life for fabrics that would otherwise go unrecovered.
For us, all that can be reused is not waste; the material that has exhausted its primary function is recovered and put back into circulation, returning to be the protagonist with a new appearance, a new functionality and thus ensuring a second life to tissues that otherwise would not be recovered and used.
Re-Converter active partnerships with local, national and international organizations such as schools, non-profit charities, artists and universities with the aim of allocating to them some sizes of fabrics from redundancies or "waste". A project for the developing Italian Converter, open to collaborations with fashion brands.
Re-converter
Highlighted projects
COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS
Collaboration with kindergartens and primary schools along the territory for playful-creative workshops and activities preparatory to the development of manual and sensory tactile-visual skills.
COLLABORATION WITH STUDIO VANESSA BARRAGAO
Collaboration with Studio Vanessa Barragao, Portuguese artist who creates works of art and installations with textile materials.
COLLABORATION WITH ACADEMIES FOR FASHION
Collaboration with Accademia Costume&Moda of Rome, IED Milano and IED Cagliari for support to students and activation of curricular projects.
KENNEL OF VIGEVANO
Donations to the Kennel of Vigevano, a concrete help for the care of the guests of the structure.
THEATRES AND ARTISTIC REALITIES
Donation to theatres and artistic and cultural realities of the territory.
EMERGING DESIGNERS AND DESIGNERS
Donations or collaborations with focus on sustainability and reuse of material in their collections.
