SUSTAIN REPORT 2020 ABILITY Elevate Textiles, Inc. · 2020. 10. 28. · Elevate Textiles reduced...

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020

Elevate Textiles, Inc.

CONTENT

Elevate Textiles — 2020 Sustainability Report

ON THE FRONTLINE OF SUSTAINABILITY17 Our People Make It Happen

21 BrandStory−Burlington

22 BrandStory−SafetyComponents

23 BrandStory−ConeDenim

24 BrandStory−A&E

25 BrandStory−A&EGütermann

SUPPLEMENT26 Sustainability Partners

27 4YearsPerformanceData

28 Glossary

INTRODUCTION3 ElevateTextiles2025Commitments

4 MessagefromourCEO

5 OurVicePresidentofEHS

6 Who we are

TEN THREADS OF SUSTAINABILITY8 Thread1:GlobalCarbonFootprint

9 Thread 2: Water Stewardship

10 Thread3:EnergyConservation

10 Thread4:SustainablePackaging

11 Thread5:RecyclingandWasteReduction

12 Thread 6: Sustainable Products

13 Thread7:GlobalEHS&SocialResponsibilityCompliance

14 Thread 8: Supply Chain Sustainability

15 Thread 9: Product Stewardship

15 Thread10:EducationandInvolvement

Cover photo is from the River Elz, adjacent to our operation in Gutach, Baden-Wüttemberg, Germany.

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ElevateTextilesiscommittedtoachievingsustainabilitymilestonesbytheyear2025inthreekeyenvironmentalareas:

ELEVATETEXTILES 2025 COMMITMENTS

RESPONSIBLY SOURCED FIBERSOurbrands’productswillbeproducedusingat least 80% sustainably sourced cotton and 50% recycled polyester content.

REDUCED WATER CONSUMPTIONOurmanufacturingoperationswillreducetheirwaterintensityby25%perunitofproduction.

REDUCED GREENHOUSE GASESOurspecificgreenhousegastargetisto achieve a 2.5% per year reduction trajectory.

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MESSAGEFROMOURCE0

AtElevateTextiles,wecommittobeingaresponsiveandresponsibleproducerof qualityfabrics,threadsandtextile-basedsolutions.Ourbrands–American&Efird(A&E),Burlington,ConeDenim,Gütermann andSafetyComponents–sharealong-standingcommitmenttosustainabilityandadrivetoprogressoureffortstonewheights.Elevateteamsaroundtheglobeworkeverydaytocreateanddistributepremium,ethicallyandsustainablysourcedproductsthroughexcellence in innovation and responsible manufacturingpractices.Wearepleasedtopresent this 2020 Sustainability Report, the firstreportofitskindforElevate.

InSeptemberof2019,weannouncedambitious2025corporatesustainabilitygoalsfocusedonresponsiblysourcingfibers,reducingwaterconsumptionandloweringgreenhousegases.Thesegoalsreaffirmourcommitmenttoprovidingenvironmentally-conscious,highqualitytextileproductswithineachofourheritagebrandsthroughresponsiblemanufacturing.Wepledgetocontinuetoserveourcustomerswithsustainableinnovations,whileminimizingourglobalimpactontheenvironmentandpreservingourplanetforfuturegenerations.

Inthisreport,youwillfinddetailedinformationdemonstratingourprogressagainstour2025SustainabilityGoals.ThisreportwillalsoserveasourfirstCommunicationonProgressfortwokeyinitiatives–theUNGlobalCompactand the CEO Water Mandate. We are proudly committedtobothoftheseprogramsandhaveincludeddetailsontheactionswearetakingtosupportthem.

Webelieveinbeingtransparentinourperformanceandenhancingthetraceabilityofallcomponentsinoursupplychains.WeareveryexcitedaboutConeDenim’snewpartnership with Oritain, the product and supplychaintraceabilityspecialist,asthefirstdenimmillevertoadoptthehighestleveloftraceability possible.

Broaderthanenvironmentalsustainability,wearecommittedtoethicalbusinesspracticesandhaveaffirmedourstandardsinElevate’sGlobalCodeofConduct.Ourcommitmenttoethicalmanufacturingmeansdoingtherightthinginallofouroperationsacrossourglobalsupplychain.Thistookonnewmeaningthisyearwiththeglobalpandemicasouroperationsputinplacestringentguidelinesand precautions to protect the health and

wellbeingofouremployees,whilecontinuingtoeffectivelyserviceourcustomers.

Wevalueholdingourselvesaccountabletoyou,ourcustomersandstakeholders,andwewelcomeandencourageyourfeedbackandinput.Thankyouforyourpartnershipandtakingthetimetoreviewour2020CorporateSustainability Report.

SIM SKINNER President and ChiefExecutiveOfficer

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OURVICEPRESIDENTOFEHS

Thankyouforreadingour2020CorporateSustainabilityReport.Lastyear,ElevateTextilesannouncedsignificantcommitmentsfor2025toreduceourGreenhouseGas(GHG)emissions,ourwaterusage,andtosourcesustainable cotton and recycled polyester. That was the easypart!Wearenowacceleratingoureffortstowardsthesegoals,buildinguponthegoodresultsthathavealreadybeenrealized.Wearecommittedtodoingtherightthingbyprovidingtheresourcesandleadershiprequiredtoattainourcurrentsustainabilitygoals,andthenbysettingnewgoalsinthefuture.

Onourwaytoreducingwaterusageby25%by2025, wehaverecycledovertwobillionlitersofwastewaterthroughreverseosmosissystemsandreducedoverallwaterusagebyover7.5%since2016.WehavereducedabsoluteGHGemissionsbyanaverageof2.5%peryearsince2016,andarecurrentlydevelopingScienceBasedTargetsforfurtherGHGemissionsreductionsfor2025,2030,andbeyond.Andinthecategoryofsustainablefibers,weareveryexcitedaboutourpartnershipwithOritain,whichallowsustoaccuratelydeterminewearesourcingsustainableandethically-producedcottonfibers.Combinedwithourworktowardssourcingrecycledpolyesterfiberandnaturalfiberssuchashemp,wearemakingoursupplychainmoresustainable.

Sustainabilityisajourney,andweareactivelyengagedwithourcustomersandsupplierstopositivelyimpactthepeopleandnaturalenvironmentsthatareassociatedwithouroperationsandsupplychain.ThroughourcommitmenttotheUNGlobalCompactandtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,ourparticipationasacontributortotheZDHCProgramme,andourparticipationinandsupportofmanyotherefforts,wewillcontinuetobeagoodcorporatecitizenthatourcustomersandall15,000ElevateTextilesemployeesaroundtheworldcanbeproudof.

JIMMY SUMMERS VicePresident–Environment,Health,Safety,andSustainability ChiefSustainabilityOfficer

Pictured in the background is the Catawba River adjacent to our manufacturing facility in Mt. Holly, NC, USA. 5Elevate Textiles — 2020 Sustainability Report


WHOWEARE

Weareacollectionoftoptextilecompaniesandbrandsprovidingcomprehensive,globalproductsolutionsacrossmanydiverseindustriesfocusedoninnovation,sustainability,andheritagecraftsmanship.

Ourproductsmakelifesaferorsimplybetter,fromdistinguishedfabricbrandstothreadsolutionsforautomotive,apparel,interiorfurnishing,andspecialtyproducts.Weanticipateandcreatesoourcustomersalwaysstayaheadofnotonlywhat’snext,butwhat’sbeyond next.

Founded1891–Asoneoftheworld’sforemostmanufacturersofsewingthread,embroiderythreadandtechnicaltextiles,A&Eprovidesglobalsolutionstotheapparel,automotive,homefurnishings,medical,footwearandotherindustrialmarketswithcapabilitiesthatextendfromAsiatoEuropetotheAmericas.

Founded1891–Aworldwideleaderindeniminnovation,ConeDenim’sunparalleledexpertiseandadvancedcapabilitieshaveservicedandinspiredtheglobalmarketformorethan125years, offeringuniquecollectionsofsustainableandinnovative performance,stretch,selvage,naturalindigos,polyester,andbi-componentdenims.

Founded1923–Withclosetoacenturyofindustryleadership,Burlingtonisdriventodevelopsustainable,nextgenerationtextiletechnologyandfabricsincludingperformancesynthetics,cottons,worstedwoolandblendedfabric,servingthemilitary,performanceapparel,medicalandcleanroom,interiorfurnishings,uniform,andworkwearmarkets.

Founded1864–Asoneoftheworld’spremierthreadmanufacturers,Gütermannhasbeenmakingqualitythreadproductsformorethan150yearsservicingbothindustrialandcommercialsectorsglobally.

Founded1912–Agloballeaderintechnology-drivenfabricsolutionsandotherhighperformancetextiles,forfirstresponders,military,outdoor,marineandautomotiveuse,SafetyComponentshasprovidedinnovativesolutionstocustomersformorethan100years.

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Inthissection,ElevateTextiles’sTenThreadsofSustainabilityaremappedagainstrelevantUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals.

SUSTAINABILITY


TEN THREADS OF SUSTAINABILITY

8 Thread1:GlobalCarbonFootprint

9 Thread 2: Water Stewardship

10 Thread3:EnergyConservation

10 Thread4:SustainablePackaging

11 Thread5:RecyclingandWasteReduction

12 Thread 6: Sustainable Products

13 Thread7:GlobalEHSandSocialResponsibilityCompliance

14 Thread 8: Supply Chain Sustainability

15 Thread 9: Product Stewardship

15 Thread10:EducationandInvolvement

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Greenhouse gas m-tons

2019

2016 530,770

489,846

We reduced our global carbon footprint from 2016 to 2019 by 7.7%.

2019

2016

SUSTAINABILITY

ElevateTextilesreducedtheirglobalcarbonfootprintfrom2016to2019by7.7%.


Sustainability is woven into our very DNA. It is part of everything we are, everything we do and everything we strive to be. Our ten threads of sustainability solidify our commitment to sustainability and our ongoing efforts and investments in innovative technologies and products, helping to reduce the environmental footprint of our operations globally. Our decisions and actions are brought in line with most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In doing so, we remain focused on those areas in which we can make a valuable contribution, such as water management, energy management, waste reduction and sustainable product development.

• Commitment: Greenhouse gas target to achieve 2.5% per year reduction through 2025.

• Progress: – 7.7% reduction of emissions from 2016 to 2019 – Working to calculate scope 3 emission

• Implementation of UN Global Compact Principle 7: Precautionary Approach to Environmental Challenges

TENTHREADSOFSUSTAINABILITY

1 GLOBAL CARBONFOOTPRINT

Global Carbon Footprint - Scope 1 & 2 Emissions

Thetextileindustryisresponsibleforasignificantportionoftheglobalcarbonemissionsfromtheproductionstagetothefinishedproducts.AtElevateTextiles,weworktogethertosupportatransitiontoalower-carboneconomyandtoconstantlyminimizethecarbonfootprintofourbusinessactivities,includingmanufacturingprocesses,supportoperations,andourvaluechainthroughouttheworld.

In 2019, Elevate Textiles joined other pacesetters in the industrybyparticipatingintheScienceBasedTargetProgram(SBTi).

Withatotalreductionof7.7%from2016to2019,wehavemetourtargetofreducingourabsolutegreenhousegasesemissionsby2.5%peryear.

WHAT WE DO • Ongoingenergyuseassessment • Optimizationandinvestmentinenergy

reduction measures • Attachhighestprioritytousingsustainablerawmaterials • Investmentinenergy-savingproductiontechnologies with

lowresourceconsumption • Usageofrenewableenergy

Thisenablesustocontinuetomeetandexceedourambitiouscarbonemissioncommitments.

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• Commitment: Our manufacturing operations will reduce their water intensity by 25% per unit of production by 2025.

• Progress: – 7.5% reduction of global water use since 2016 – Over 500,000 m³ water recycled in 2019 – Implementing the ZDHC MRSL version 2.0 and

Wastewater Guidelines – Set site-specific reduction targets for all facilities

each year – ZLD wastewater systems at 2 facilities – UF/RO systems for recycling wastewater at 5 facilities

• Contributor to the ZDHC Programme • CEO Water Mandate Element 1 (Direct Operations) • CEO Water Mandate Element 6 (Transparency) • Implementation of UN Global Compact Principle 7:

Precautionary Approach to Environmental Challenges

WE CAREEverydropofwatercounts.Populationgrowth,urbanization,environmentalpollutionandclimatechangefurtherincreasethepressureonglobalwaterresources.Especiallyinthetextileindustry,wherewaterisanimportantandnecessarycomponentoftextileprocessing,responsiblewaterstewardshipisacriticalfocalpointforefficiencyandimprovementatourworldwideElevatefacilities.

OUR RESPONSIBLE DYEING PROCESSEvenbeforeElevateTextilescommittedtoa25%reductioninwateruseby2025,thecompanyinvestedsignificantcapitalininnovativedyeingprocesses,sustainablechemicalswithreducedwaterconsumption,andstate-of-the-artwastewatertreatmentsystemsforrecyclingandreusingwastewater back into the process as clean water. The dyeingprocessisparticularlywaterintensiveandrequiresclosely-monitoredwastewatertreatment,soasnottoadverselyaffectthecommunitiesinwhichweoperate.

WHAT WE DO – WATER MANAGEMENT • Useofwaterefficientprocessesthatminimizetheuseof

waterperkilogramofproduction • State-of-the-artwastewatertreatmenttechnologies,such

asourUltrafiltration/ReverseOsmosissystems(UF/RO) • Recyclingandreuseoftreatedwastewaterthrough

ultrafiltrationandreverseosmosissystems

LONG TERM ACHIEVEMENTSSince2016,thesemeasureshaveenabledustorecyclenearlytwomillioncubicmetersofwateracrossourfacilities.

2 WATER STEWARDSHIP

ElevateTextilesincreasedwaterrecyclingby66.5%.

Global water consumption in cubic meters

7,916,492

7,319,123

We saved 7,5% water from 2016 to 2019.

2019

2016

2019

2016

Global amount of recycled water in cubic meters

323,402

538,469

We recycled 66,5% of water.

2019

2016

2019

2016

Water Recycling atElevate Textiles

ElevateTextilesreducedtotalwaterconsumptionby7.5%from2016 to 2019.

Water Consumption at Elevate Textiles

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• Commitment: Reducing total energy consumption and making use of renewable energies.

• Progress: – Elevate globally utilized 16.5% renewable fuels in 2019 – Reduction of global energy consumption 4.8% from

2018 to 2019 – Formed Elevate Corporate Conservation Task Force

• Implementation of UN Global Compact Principle 7: Precautionary Approach to Environmental Challenges

Energyconsumptiondirectlyimpactsgreenhousegasemissions.Italsoimpactslocal,regional,andworldwideairqualitythroughtheburningoffuelstogenerateenergy.

WHAT WE DO • Energyefficiencycapitalprojects • ResponsibleusageisamajorfocusforourCorporate

ConservationTaskForce.ThisgroupofengineeringexpertsfromacrossthecompanyfacilitiessharetheirknowledgeandsuccesseswithallElevateTextilesfacilitiesaroundtheworld.

Sinceittakesasignificantamountofenergytoproducetextileproducts,ElevateTextilesiscommittedtouseasmuchrenewableandenvironmentallyfriendlyenergysourcesaspossible.Weareevaluatingsolarenergyprojectsatourfacilitiesandarecommittedtoachievinghigherrenewableenergyusage.

3 ENERGY CONSERVATION


4 SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

• Commitment: Reducing the amount of packaging used and increasing the percentage of sustainable packaging used.

• Progress: – Ongoing assessments of packaging solutions

and opportunities for reductions and increases in recycled content

– Work with customers on providing information for how best to recycle and reuse packaging

• Implementation of UN Global Compact – Principle 8: Initiatives for Greater Environmental Responsibility

Everyday,ElevateTextilesusespackagingthroughoutitssupplychain.Makingpackagingmoresustainableisanongoingfocusaswestrivetoreduceourenvironmentalimpactandoverallecologicalfootprint.

WHAT WE DO • Evaluateandoptimizenewandexistingproduct

packagingspecificationsinordertoreducetheamountofpackagingused

• Increasetheamountofpackagingthatcanbereused,contains recycled content, has been sourced and manufacturedinasustainablemanner

FURTHER SUSTAINABLE ACTIONSOurfacilitiesareconstantlyworkingtobecreativeand efficientwithpackagingsolutions,usinglessmaterialtosupportandupholdthesamequalitystandard.

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5 RECYCLINGAND WASTEREDUCTION

• Commitment: Minimization of landfill waste. • Progress:

– Continued quarterly tracking of recycling and waste – 16 of our facilities have achieved and maintained

Zero Waste to Landfill status since 2016 • Implementation of UN Global Compact – Principle 7:

Precautionary Approach to Environmental Challenges

Responsibleconsumptionandminimizinglandfillwasteisimportanttoeveryglobalcommunity.ElevateTextilesstrivestoprovideopportunitiesforacirculareconomy.

WHAT WE DO • Post-industrialcottonwasteisrecycledandreusedin

newproductionatConeDenim • Wearepartneringwithcutandsewcustomerstorecycle

cuttingtablescraps • Wearecommittedtoreducingtheamountofbyproducts

createdbyouroperations,reusingasmuchofthemaspossibleandrecyclingtherest

PhotoisfromA&E’sdyetuberecyclingfacilityinNorthCarolina,USA. 11Elevate Textiles — 2020 Sustainability Report


6 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

• Commitment: Brand products will be produced using at least 80% sustainably sourced cotton and 50% recycled polyester content by 2025.

• Progress: – Ongoing facility and product certifications for

traceability and transparency of sustainable products – 52% sustainable cotton sourced in 2019 – Identification and qualification of recycled polyester

sources in support of future progress towards 2025 commitment

• Implementation of UN Global Compact – Principle 9: Development of environmentally friendly technologies

Ourdefinitionofasustainableproductisoneproducedinamannerthatminimizestheimpactontheenvironmentthroughouteachphaseofitslifecycle,comparedtoothermethodsofproductionforthesameproduct.

WHAT WE DO • Conversionofproductsthatcontainvirgin

materialintoproductsthatcontainrecycledfibers • Usageofsustainablysourcedfiber • Usageoffibersthatallowreducedprocessing

andlowerwaterandchemicaluse

OUR ELEVATE TEXTILES SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT LINES INCLUDE • Burlington:Restora™

• SafetyComponents:PFZero™ Finish • ConeDenim:Sustainblue™

• A&E:ECO100 • Gütermann:rPET

WE ARE PURSUING AND MAINTAINING THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATIONS • Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®

• GlobalRecycledStandard(GRS) • RecycledContentStandard(RCS) • GlobalOrganicTextileStandard(GOTS) • OrganicContentStandard(OCS)Thisappliestoallapplicablefacilitiestoensuretheintegrityofoursourcingandtheintegrityofwhatweareprovidingtocustomers.

ElevateTextilesiscommittedtolearningaboutthefulllifecycleimpactsofitsproductsandcontinuetoworktowardstransparency.Weregularlyworkwithourcustomerstoassistinmeetingtheirrespectivesustainabilitygoalsandproductneeds.

Wehavejuststartedtrackingthesustainablecontentmetricin2019,andareproudoftheachievementwehavealreadymadeinsustainablecotton.Werecognizerecycledpolyesterasoneofourlargestopportunitiesmovingforward,andwealreadyhaveactiveprojectsinplacethatwillhelpustosignificantlyincreasetheincorporationofrecycledpolyesterinourproducts.

3%Recycled Polyester

Other Polyester97%

52% Sustainable Cotton

Other Cotton48%

Sustainable Sourced Fibers at Elevate Textiles

Goal:50%sustainablysourcedpolyesterby2025

Goal:80%sustainablysourcedcottonby2025

Status:December2019

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7 GLOBALEHS&SOCIALRESPONSIBILITYCOMPLIANCE

• Commitment: Conduct business and operations in accordance with the UN Global Compact.

• Progress: – Improvements to our Code of Conduct – 3rd Party Social Responsibility Audits at our facilities

• Implementation of UN Global Compact: – Principle 1: International Human Rights – Principle 2: Not Complicit in Human Rights Abuses – Principle 3: Freedom of Association/Collective

Bargaining – Principle 4: Elimination of Forced Labor – Principle 5: Abolition of Child Labor – Principle 6: Elimination of Discrimination – Principle 10: Anti-Corruption

ElevateTextilesiscommittedtoconductingbusinesswithintegrity,respectinghumanrights,andadheringtothehigheststandardsofcomplianceinallofourglobaloperations. Our proactive leadership in ethical business practicesisdemonstratedthroughregulartrainingofemployees,willingnesstostandbehindourcommitmenttoourcustomers,andourrequirementsthatourbusinesspartnersabidebythesamehighstandards.

TO MEET THE ABOVE POINTS WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED• GlobalCodeofConductupdatein2019• EHS policies and procedures update• HiggFacilitySocialandLaborModule

Thesepracticesbenefitallstakeholdersinourbusinessand represent Elevate Textiles’s core values.

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• Commitment: Conduct business with suppliers and customers who share our vision on sustainability and social responsibility.

• Progress: – Implementation of Clean Chain (an ADEC Innovations

system) to check and communicate conformance with ZDHC MRSL

– Partnership with Oritain Global (forensic traceability) • Implementation of:

– UN Global Compact – Principle 10: Anti Corruption – CEO Water Mandate Element 2 (Supply Chain and

Watershed Management)

ElevateTextilesiscommittedtodoingbusinesswithsuppliers who share our vision on sustainability and social responsibility.Forthisreason,weincludesustainabilityconsiderationsinoursourcingdecisions.WerequiresuppliersofdyesandchemicalstoprovidecompleterestrictedsubstanceinformationandtestingonproductssuppliedtoElevateTextilesfacilities.Inaddition,werequestoursuppliersprovideinformationontheirownsustainabilityprogramsandefforts.

HIGHLIGHT - TRACEABILITY OF CONE DENIM COTTONAspartofoursustainablecottonsourcingcommitments,ConeDenimhaspartneredwithOritainGlobal.Oritainisanoriginverificationcompanythatprovidesthehighestleveloftraceabilityavailable.Oritainusesforensictestingtoverifytheregionoforiginofcottonfibers.

CORPORATE LEVEL COMMITMENT • Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)

BCI’sgoalsaretomakeglobalcottonproductionbetterforthepeoplewhoproduceit,theenvironmentitgrowsin,andthesector’sfuture.

• ZDHC Programme ElevateTextilesisacontributingmemberoftheZDHCProgrammesince2017andin2019begantakingpartintheZDHCGateway.TheGatewayprovidesasimple,easy,inexpensivewaytoprovidechemicalsafetyinformationtoallstakeholders.WestronglybelieveinZDHC’smissionandthegoalofharmonizationacrosschemicalsafetyprograms.Forthisreason,ourfacilitiesarebeginningtotakepartintheSuppliertoZeroprogram,whichisaimedatdrivingself-improvementintextilechemicalmanagement.

• Clean Chain, ADEC Innovations system CleanChainisaholisticchemicalinventorymanagementandcommunicationsolutionlinkedtotheZDHCGateway.CleanChainwillgiveustheabilitytoeasilycheckinternallyandshowourcustomersconformancewiththeZDHCMRSLv2.0.

8 SUPPLYCHAIN SUSTAINABILITY

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• Commitment: Restriction or banning of harmful substances in manufacturing of Elevate products.

• Progress: – Global Chemical Management System

• Implementation of UN Global Compact – Principle 8: Initiatives for Greater Environmental Responsibility

ElevateTextilesisdedicatedtocreatinganddeliveringproductsthatareinnovativeandmatchthevaluesofourcustomers.Restrictedorbannedsubstancesarenotincludedorusedinthemanufacturingofourproducts.Ourfacilitiesadheretoavarietyofgovernment,industry,andcustomerRSLsthroughourglobalChemicalManagementProgram.

Toensurethehighestlevelofsafetyandcomplianceforourproducts, Elevate Textiles participates in various industry organizations,e.g.: • AmericanApparel&FootwearAssociation(AAFA) • ZDHC–CurrentlyimplementingtheZDHCMRSLv2.0. • HiggFacilityEnvironmentalModule

Wewillcontinuetoobtainthird-partyproductsafetycertificationsandberesponsivetorequirementsfromourcustomers.

9 PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP

• Commitment: – Provide Elevate employees with latest tools,

information, and training – Participating in global initiatives to improve

sustainability and social responsibility within our industry

• Progress: – Joined several organizations like UNFCCC, UN CEO

Water Mandate, SBTi and UN Global Compact • Implementation of:

– CEO Water Mandate Element 3 (Collective Action) – CEO Water Mandate Element 4 (Public Policy) – CEO Water Mandate Element 5 (Community

Engagement)

EducationandcommunicationarecentraltothesuccessofElevate Textiles and the 15,000+ associates that work hard every day to provide quality products and services to our customersaroundtheworld.Wearecommittedtoprovidingouremployeeswiththelatesttools,information,andtraining,sotheycanbesuccessful,activepartnersinexcellence.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?Bysharingknowledgeandparticipatinginglobalinitiatives,wecanimprovethesustainabilityandsocialresponsibilitywithin our industry.

WHAT WE DOFromeducationonourglobalrecyclingeffortstoplantingtreesandreforestationefforts,weencourageourassociates to take part in activities and local events, positivelyimpactingsurroundingcommunities.Weworkwithleadingcollegeanduniversitytextileprogramstoprovidein-classinstructionandrealworldsustainabilityprojectsoutoftheclassroom.ElevateTextilesbelievesineducatingthenextgenerationonimportantsustainabilityissuesfacingourworld.

ELEVATE TEXTILES JOINED THE FOLLOWING OF GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS • UNFashionIndustryCharterforClimateAction

(UNFCCC) • UNCEOWaterMandate • UNGlobalCompact • ScienceBasedTargetsInitiative(SBTi)

ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP ROLES • ZDHCProgramme • AAFAEnvironmentalCommittee • Otherindustry-drivensustainabilityprograms

10 EDUCATION ANDINVOLVEMENT

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ON THE FRONTLINE OF SUSTAINABILITY

17 Our People Make It Happen

21 BrandStory−Burlington

22 BrandStory−SafetyComponents

23 BrandStory−ConeDenim

24 BrandStory−A&E

25 BrandStory−A&EGütermann

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OUR PEOPLE MAKE IT HAPPEN

BLUESIGN® FOR BURLINGTONQuanluQiuworksasanelectricianforourBurlingtonDyeingandFinishingfacilityinJiaxing,China.HehasworkedfortheBurlingtonfacilityformorethansixyearsandhasworkedintextilesfor11years.HealsoearnedhisSeniorElectricianCertificate.Quanluhasapersonalcommitmenttosustainabilityandmakesitapartofhisdailygoalstoreduceenergyconsumption.Quanlushared,“AsIseeit,itiseverybody’sresponsibilitytovaluelimited

natural resources and protect theenvironmentinwhichwelive.IamsoproudElevateTextiles has a clear sustainable strategyandgoals.”

OurBurlingtonJiaxingfacilityhasbeenaBluesign®SystemPartnersince2013.FollowingtheholisticBluesign® criteria andguidelinesforsustainabledevelopment,BurlingtonJiaxingdemonstratestoourcustomersand supply chain partners ElevateTextilesiscommittedtoactingresponsiblywith

regardstopeople,theenvironment,andnaturalresources.Bluesign® followsthemoststringentrestrictedsubstancelistsforinputsandsetsrequirementsforallrelevantoutputssuchasgreenhousegases,energyusage,airemissions,andwastewater.

TheactionsandexpertiseofouremployeesareimperativetomaintainingBurlington’sbluesign® partnership and reachingourowncorporatesustainabilitygoals.

AllemployeesatBurlingtonparticipateincontinuousimprovementactivities.Quanlureceived5Strainingthroughthefacility,andlastyearherecommendedasystemupdateinoneofthemanufacturingmachinesthatallowed the plant to save 18,000 kWh in one year. He receivedanenergysavingawardforhiswork.

QuanluisoneexampleofthemanyengagedemployeeshelpingtoachieveElevate’ssustainabilitygoals.

COGENERATION IN COAHUILAJorgeAlbertoMedinaMuñizistheheadofelectricalmaintenanceatourCone Denim ParrasfacilityinCoahuila,Mexico.JorgewasoneofthefirstemployeesatParrasandhasbeenwiththecompanyforover25years.SustainabilityisjustasimportanttoJorgeathomeasitisintheworkplace.Hemakestheefforttorecyclewaste,reduceelectricitythroughtheuseofLEDlightbulbs,andconservewater.Jorgeenjoyswalkingandplayingsocceroutdoorswithhisfamily.Hesays,“Itisveryimportanttocarefortheenvironmentandleaveforfuturegenerationsabetterplacetolive.”

ONTHEFRONTLINE OFSUSTAINABILITY

“Inthissection,wearepleasedtopresentafewofouremployeeswhomakesustainabilityhappeneverydayaroundtheworldatourfacilitiesandinourcommunities.Weareproudoftheeffortsofour15,000employeestoworkandlivesustainably.”

JimmySummers VicePresident–Environment,Health,Safety&Sustainability ChiefSustainabilityOfficer

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AtParrasCone,theCogenerationequipmentisanimportantpartofthefacility’ssustainablemanufacturing.Operationalsince2018,theCogenerationsystemcombinesheatandpowertoincreaseoverallenergyefficiencyandreducethefacility’senvironmentalimpactbyusing

recycledenergy.ConeDenim’sCogenerationplantinCoahuilaprovides90%oftheelectricalneedsoftheParrasplant.Cogenerationpowerplantsoftenprovideenergyat50-70%higherefficiencyratesthansingle-generationfacilities.

Theimpactisevident.EachyeartheParrasfacilityhasbeenawardedCleanEnergyCertificates(CEL),whichshowtheefficiencyoftheequipment.JorgereceivedspecialtraininginordertoruntheCogenerationequipmentandheworksregularly

withthetechnicalstaffonmaintainingandimprovingtheoperation.ConeDenim’sengineeringandelectricalmaintenanceteamshaveawidebreadthofknowledgeandexpertisetokeepthefacilityrunningefficientlyandsustainably.JorgesaidofworkingwithElevateandtheengineeringteam,“Elevategivesustheconfidence,trust,andresourcesforthedevelopmentofnewprojects,andtheopportunitytoworkwithasustainablecompany.”

JEANOLOGIA IN JIAXINGMeetGuobingLuoandhiswifeHuajun.BothworkatCone Denim’soperationinJiaxing(CDJ),whereGuobingworksintheFinishingareaandHuajunworksintheSpinningarea.OriginallyfromSichuanprovince,theyareatypicalyoungfamilywithtwosonswhoareinschoolandmanyfamilyactivitiesthatkeepthembusy.GuobingandHuajunworkveryhardtomakeagoodlifefortheirfamilyandgivetheirsonsmanyopportunitiesforthefuture.

Inlate2019,ConeDenimannouncedtheexpansionofitsdenimcapabilitieswiththeinstallationofJeanologiatechnologyatitsJiaxing,ChinaandYecapixtla,Mexicooperations,whichprovidessustainableandefficientfabric

finishingusingsignificantlylesswater,energyandchemicalscomparedtotraditionaldenimfinishing.The new technol installation includedtheJeanologiaG2DynamicFinishingRanges,FlexiLabLasercapabilities,andBluescanDevicesforLaserBlanketAnalysis.FindingtherighttalentandskillstooperatetheG2RangewaskeytoachievingCone’s newest sustainable deniminnovations.Guobingwas selected to operate the

JeanologiaG2RangeinJiaxingbasedonhisexperienceasaFinishingOperatorandabilitytoquicklylearnthetechnologyandadvancedequipmentfunctionality.

TheG2DynamicFinishingRangeisthefirstozonetreatmentforcontinuousfabric.Itprovidessignificantwatersavings,withmorethan70-80%reductioninwaterusageasanalternativetostandarddesizingandmercerizingprocessesanduseslesschemicalsandenergyinthefinishingoperations.

WhenaskedaboutoperatingtheJeanologiaG2Range,Guobingsaid,“Itisanhonortobeselectedtooperatethisadvancedmachinery,andIamproudtoknowthatIampartofproducingsomeofthenewestenvironmentallyfriendlydenimsforourcustomers.”ConeDenimandElevateTextilestakeprideinourhighlytrainedworkerslikeGuobingandHuajun.

Guobingshared,“CDJisabigwarmfamily.WewishbothCDJandmyfamilywillbecomebetterandbetterinthefuture.”

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NO WASTE IN NORTH CAROLINATylerDellingerhasworkedforA&E formorethantwoyearsatitsMountHolly,NCwarehouse.Tyler’sprimaryroleistransportingusedconesfromthelocalfacilitiestoA&E’srecyclingfacilityandprocessingthemthroughgrindingoperationinpreparationforrecycling.Tylertakesprideinbeingabletoworkanyjobinhisfacility,stayingorganized,andhelpingoutwithanythingthatneedstobedonetomakesuretheoperationrunssmoothly.Heisjustasdedicatedtooutsidehobbies,whichincludewritingandmixingmusic,skateboarding,andexercising.

InordertoreduceourmanufacturingfootprintandmaintainaZeroWastetoLandfillstatusinitsNorthCarolinafacilities,A&Eoperatesitsownrecyclingfacilityforconesanddyetubes.OftheElevateTextilesbrands,A&E’sthreadproductshavethemoststringentpackagingrequirements.Thepackagingconessupportthethreadinasewingmachine,andtherigidityprotectsitinshipping.Polypropyleneconesand tubes are used in several ways, notonlyinfinalproducts,butalsothroughoutthemanufacturingprocess.Tylerisagreatexampleofthe work ethic that allows Elevate

to,inTyler’swords,“getprioritiesdoneswiftly”andpushforwardonourlong-termgoals.AbouthisjobatA&E,Tylersays,“Ithinkit’sgreatwehaverecyclingpartofthewarehouseandweareputtingstuffintomotiontowherewecanreuseit.We’redoingagreatthingfortheenvironment.”

PRE-REDUCED INDIGO AT PARRASOmarEduardoAlvaradoChávezjustcelebratedworkingwith Cone Denim for16years.Omarworksasaproductionsupervisorandcoordinatesthewarping,dyeing,andbeamingareasatourParrasfacilityinCoahuila,Mexico.Hisjobrequiresthathemanageallaspectsoftheseprocessesandseekwaystomaketheprocessesmoreefficient.Heistrainedinproblem-solvingandcontinuousimprovementtechniques,andtakesprideinhispersonaldevelopmentandgrowinghisknowledgetocontributetotheteam.

Outsideofwork,Omarhasdevelopedhismechanicalskillsandenjoysdoingappliancerepairs.“Disassemblingthingsismypassion,”hesays.Omaralsoenjoysplayingsoccertostayfitandplayingcardswithhisfamily.

Omar’sworkisimportantinCone’stransitionofdyestopre-reducedindigoandbelievesit“benefitsustocontinuegrowingandbeinganenvironmentallysustainablecompany.”DistilledIndigoisakeypartofConeDenim’sSustainblue™lineofdenimfabrics.

DistilledIndigo™fabricsaredyedusingpre-reduced“liquidindigo”dyeswhicharethecleanestinthemarket,reducingchemicals,andachievingenergyandwatersavings.In2019,ConeDenimannouncedanewevolutionofDistilledIndigoproductswiththeCadira®dyeingprocess.AsthefirstmilltointroduceCadiraDistilledIndigointhewesternhemisphere,thenewcollectioncombinesDystar®IndigoVat40%Solution,themosteco-awardedIndigointheworld,withtheecologicallyadvancedreducingagentSera®ConC-RDAtocreateasalt-freedyethatcompletelyeliminateshydrosulphite.TheCadiraprocessreduceswater,wasteandenergyconsumption,andresultsinstrongeffluentloadreductiontobettersupportmills,brandsandretailersintheireffortstoreducethecarbonfootprintoftheirgoods.

TheskillsofourtalentedoperatorsandsupervisorshavebeenmostimportantinConeDenim’sinitiativetotransitiontopre-reducedindigoandallowustoachieveoursustainabilityachievements.

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ZLD AND WATER CONSERVATION IN INDIAMeetB.Yuvaraj.YuvarajhasbeenworkingatthePerinduraiUnit3facilityinIndia,apartofourA&E groupastheEffluentTreatmentPlantManagerforovereightyears.Yuvarajsaystheworkismeaningfultohimbecausehealsohelpsmaintainhisfamilyfarm,sopreservingtheenvironmentisimportanttohim.“Tome,sustainabilitymeansensuringsafetyofnature.Ifeelproudthateveryday,Iensurethegroundisnotpolluted,”saysYuvaraj.

Yuvarajhasworkedatthefacilityformorethaneightyearsandhasreceivedavarietyoftrainingthatallowshimtobesuccessfulinhisrole,includingawastewatertreatmentprogramconductedin-house.Yuvarajuseshistrainingandexpertisetoextendthelifeofthereverseosmosismembranesusedintheprocess,addingsignificantvaluetotheeffluentsystem.

TheeffluenttreatmentplantisinplacetoachieveZeroLiquidDischarge(ZLD)statusatourdyehouseinTamilNadustateinsouthernIndia.Formanyyears,twoofA&E’sfacilitiesinIndiahaveoperatedasZLDdyehouses.Cleanwaterisascareresource,especiallyinmanyofthe local areas where apparel is produced today. Water isalsoacriticalcomponentoftextileprocessing,makingresponsiblewaterconsumptionandwastewatertreatmentapriorityforElevate.TheproprietarytechnologyutilizedintheZLDsystemensuresthatheatisefficientlyrecoveredandenergydemandandwaterconsumptionisreduced.EmployeeslikeYuvarajhelpusbuildandimprovethegreenculture at Elevate.

YuvarajsaidofElevateTextiles,“Thecaretheyshowforthesafety,healthofassociatesandenvironmentalprotectionisimmeasurable.”

BARRIER PROTECTION IN BURLINGTON MeetTamaraMease.TamaraworksataTechnicalSpecialist in the BurlingtonLabsR&DincubatorinBurlington,NC.Tamarahasbeenatthefacilityformorethan22yearsandhasmostrecentlyworkeddirectlywithBurlington’sbarriermedicalfabrics.TamaraalsoworksasaCertifiedNursingAssistant,somedicalcareandprotectionareveryimportanttoher,bothpersonallyandprofessionally.

TamaratakesgreatprideinherworkatBurlingtonandsaysshe“enjoystheopportunitytobeapartofdevelopingnewtechnologythatprotectspeopleandsaveslives.”AsTamaraknows,akeyadvantageofBurlington’smedicalfabricsisthattheyarereusable,whichprovidesevengreaterassuranceofbeingavailablewhencriticalPPEisneededmost.Additionally,reusablefabricsprovideamoreresponsible,sustainablesolutionreducingnotonlytheamountofwastegoingtolandfillsortobeincinerated,butalsominimizingdisposalcosts.

Tamaradefinessustainabilityasmanufacturingandusingproductsthatareenvironmentallyfriendly,recyclable,affordableandresponsible.“Ifeelthetextileswedeveloparegearedtowardsmakingthecountryandworldacleanerandhealthierplace.”Sheappreciatesthecompany’sfocusonsustainabilityandlooksforwardtoopportunitiestocreatemoresustainablegoodsthatcouldhaveapositive

impactonfightingtheCOVID-19pandemic.

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Withnearly100yearsofindustryleadershipininnovationandperformance,Burlingtonentersthenewdecadeenergizedwithanelevatedfocusonthenextevolutionoffabricsandanenduringcommitmenttoexploringnewfibers,recycledcontentandadvancedmanufacturingprocesses.

SustainabilityisatthecoreofBurlington’sperformancefabricscollections.Asabrand,weembraceitandareexcited by the opportunities ahead to raise industry expectationsandcollaboratewithlikemindedpartnerstobringtogethersustainablefabricsolutionsandresponsiblemanufacturing.

Sustainable Fabric InnovationBurlingtonLabsR&Dincubatorisleadingthewayinsustainablefabricdevelopmentsthroughtheexplorationofinnovativefibers,recycledcontentandchemicaltechnologies.Burlington’sRestora™collectionfeatureseco-consciousfabricscreatedincollaborationwithnewerinnovatorsofrecycledandsustainablecontentincludingSeaqual™,GreenCircleandCiCLO™,andlongstandingpartner REPREVE®.Whatgoesaroundcomesaroundandwhatwasoncenewdoesnothavetobecomewaste.

Responsible ManufacturingJustasimportantasthecontentofourfabricsishowweproducethem.Burlington’scommitmenttosustainabilityexpandsacrossourglobalmanufacturingplatformwithafocusonreducingourenvironmentalfootprint.Burlington’soperationinJiaxing,Chinaleadsthewayasabluesign® systempartner,assertingthebrandscommitmenttoimprovingfabricseverystepoftheway.

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Withacommitmenttosafetyandresponsiblepractices,SafetyComponentsispassionateaboutdevelopinginnovativefabricsdesignedtoprotectandsavelives.InpartnershipwithourcustomersandsupplypartnerstheSafetyComponentsR&Dteamdesignsproductsthatarehigh-functioning,meetcriticalsafetyspecifications,andcanbemanufacturedanddisposedofinamoresustainablemanner. Asanindustryleader,SafetyComponentsisalsocommittedtofindingnewsolutionsthatprovidesuperiorprotectionwhileimprovingperformance.Thedevelopmentofawaterrepellentfinishthatisfreeofper-andpolyfluoroalkylsubstances(PFAS)reflectsourpassionandthedrivetoleadwithindustryfirstsandresponsible,sustainablemanufacturing.SafetyComponent’sPFZero™patentpendingtechnologyisthefirstnon-fluorinated,durablewaterrepellentfinishdevelopedspecificallyforPPEfabrics.

Why PF Zero™ Finish matters:• Safety–eliminatesPFCchemistryforPPEtoprotect

those that protect us• Energyconservation–15%lessenergytoproduce• Performance–excellentwaterabsorptionresistance

thatmeetsNFPA1971and1951standards• Environment–saferdisposaloffabricuponend-of-life;

eliminatespotentialenvironmentalcontamination

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ConeDenim,agloballeaderindenimauthenticityandsustainableinnovationformorethan128years,isexcitedto partner with Oritain, the product and supply chain traceabilityspecialist,tobecomethefirstdenimmilltoadoptthehighestlevelofend-to-endtraceabilitypossible.

ThislatestpartnershipreaffirmsConeDenim’slonghistoryofindustryfirsts,innovationandcommitmenttosustainabilityandresponsiblesourcing.ThroughthispartnershipConeDenimisabletocombinesustainableinnovationwithindustryleading

traceability. Oritain’s advanced science requires no changestothemanufacturingprocesses,givingCone

Denimflexibility,scalabilityandeaseofimplementation,whicharecriticalfactorstoprovidecustomerswiththebest product.

Oritain’suniquemethodcombinesforensicscienceandstatisticstodetectnaturallyoccurringelementsinthecottonitself,eliminatingtheneedforadditionalforeigntracerssuchassprayorparticles.Soilcompositionandotherenvironmentalfactorsgivethecottonaninherent‘fingerprint’specifictoeachlocation–whatOritaincallstheOriginFingerprint.OncetheseOriginFingerprintshavebeencreated,theycannotbetamperedwith,replicated,ordestroyedunlikeothertraceabilitysystems.Productcanbe

testedatanypointinthesupplychaintoverifyoriginclaims.Todate,Oritainhasmappedover90%of

the world’s cotton.

23Elevate Textiles — 2020 Sustainability Report


Sustainabilityisdefinedasmeetingneedsofthepresentwithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirneeds.Itseekstobalancetheeconomic,socialresponsibility,andenvironmentalimpact–recognizingthatpopulationgrowthwillcontinue.

A&E’slong-standingcommitmenttoEnvironmental,HealthandSafety(EHS),sustainability,andsocialresponsibilitycontinuestobeatoppriorityatallA&Eoperationsworldwide.Ithasbeenwidelyrecognizedthatenhancingenvironmentalsustainabilityinoperationsandinthesupplychainissimplythe rightthingtodo,anditisessentialtomeetingexpectationsofbothcustomersandstakeholders.

Expectmorefromyourindustrialsewingthreadwithoureco-friendlylineof100%recycledsewingthreadproducts.Knownintheindustryastheclearchoiceforsustainableandethicallymadesewingthreads,A&E’sECO100lineincludesPermaCore®ECO100,AnefilPoly®

ECO100, and Wildcat® ECO100. This lineisthelatestexampleofA&E

supportingitscustomersthroughsustainableinnovation.

SUSTAINABILITY

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AsanindustryleaderinSustainability,Health,SafetyandLabour,A&EGütermannassumesresponsibilitywithregardtoproductandmanufacturingsustainabilitywhileprotectingthehumanrightsandsafetyofeachemployee.

Fromplanningthroughtocontrolofallmaterialandinformationflows,maximumtransparencyisguaranteedalongtheentiresupplychain.Wehaveonlyoneplanetandmustfindnewwaystoprotectit–particularlyforfuturegenerations.AtA&EGütermann,sustainabilityiswovenintoourveryDNA.Itispartofeverythingweare,everythingwedoandeverythingwestrivetobe.

OurA&EGütermannrPETproductrangeismadeof100%recycledpolyester.Therawmaterialfortheseenvironmentallyfriendlythreadsisprovidedbyrecycledbeveragebottlesmadeof100%PET.ThecollectedPETbottlesarewashedindifferentstages,shreddedintoflakesandmelted.TherecoveredmaterialobtainedisthebasisforrPETthreads.

Thedemandforthehighestqualityandsafetyineveryaspectofourproductsisassuredthroughregularcertifications.OursustainablethreadsareREACHcompliantaswellascertifiedaccordingtoOEKO-TEX®

andtheGlobalRecycledStandard(GRS).

SUSTAINABILITY

PET bottles TherawmaterialsareobtainedfromrecycledPET bottles.

1 FlakesThe PET bottles are washed and choppedintoflakes.

2 GranulesWhentheflakesaremelteddown,theyturnintogranules…

3 Recycled raw material…whicharerespunintothread…

4 Recycled sewing threads…andthusformthebasisforoursustainablesewingthreads.

5

25Elevate Textiles — 2020 Sustainability Report

Global Climate Action

CEO WATERMANDATE


OURSUSTAINABILITYSTRATEGYISBASEDONTHEGUIDELINESANDRECOMMENDATIONSOFGLOBALLYRECOGNIZEDANDACKNOWLEDGEDINSTITUTIONSANDORGANIZATIONS.

OURSUSTAINABLITYPARTNERS

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METRIC UNIT 2016 2017 2018 2019

WATER TotalWaterUsed Millioncubicmeters 7.92 7.84 7.84 7.32

Water Intensity Litersperkgofproductproduced 31.79 32.55 30.01 30.90

Water Recycled Millioncubicmeters 0.323 0.436 0.539 0.538

ENERGY TotalEnergyUsed Million kWh 561 576 586 558

EnergyIntensity kWhperkgproductproduced 2.25 2.39 2.24 2.35

TotalGreenhouseGasEmissions MillionkgCO2e 531 516 527 490

GreenhouseGasEmissionsIntensity kgCO2eperkg 2.13 2.14 2.02 2.07

SAFETY Incident Rate Injuriesper100FTE 0.28 0.48 0.37 0.53

3rdPartySocialResponsibilityAudits Numberconducted 2 1 11 14

4YEARSPERFORMANCEDATA:SUSTAINABILITYSNAPSHOT

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American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

www.aafaglobal.org

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)

TheBetterCottonInitiative(BCI)isanon-profit,multistakeholder

governancegroupthatpromotesbetterstandardsincottonfarming

andpractices.Theaimistotransformcottonproductionworldwideby

developingBetterCottonasasustainablemainstreamcommodity.

https://bettercotton.org

CEO Water Mandate

TheCEOWaterMandateisaUNGlobalCompactinitiativethatmobilizes

businessleadersonwater,sanitation,andtheSustainableDevelopment

Goals.EndorsersoftheCEOWaterMandatecommittocontinuous

progressagainstsixcoreelementsofstewardshipandinsodoing

understandandmanagetheirownwaterrisks.

https://ceowatermandate.org

Clean Chain: An ADEC Innovation

CleanChainhelpsyougatherdatafromdiverseanddisparate

sources,streamlinesthechemicalinformationmanagementand

reportingprocess,andempowersyoutodemonstratetransparency

to stakeholders, all in one secure location. CleanChain also works

withtheZDHCGatewaytoenablecollaborationbetweenbrandsand

manufacturingfacilities.

www.cleanchain.com

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

TheGlobalOrganicTextileStandard(GOTS)istheworldwideleading

textileprocessingstandardfororganicfibres,includingecologicaland

socialcriteria,backedupbyindependentcertificationoftheentire

textilesupplychain.Theaimofthestandardistodefineworld-wide

recognizedrequirementsthatensureorganicstatusoftextiles,from

harvestingoftherawmaterials,throughenvironmentallyandsocially

responsiblemanufacturinguptolabellinginordertoprovideacredible

assurancetotheendconsumer.

www.global-standard.org

Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

TheGlobalRecycledStandard(GRS)isaninternational,voluntary,full

productstandardthatsetsrequirementsforthird-partycertificationof

recycledcontent,chainofcustody,socialandenvironmentalpractices,

andchemicalrestrictions.

https://textileexchange.org/standards/recycled-claim-standard-global-

recycled-standard/

Higg Facility Environmental Index

DevelopedbytheSustainableApparelCoalition,theHiggIndexisasuite

oftoolsthatenablesbrands,retailers,andfacilitiesofallsizes—at

everystageintheirsustainabilityjourney—toaccuratelymeasure

andscoreacompanyorproduct’ssustainabilityperformance.TheHigg

Indexdeliversaholisticoverviewthatempowersbusinessestomake

meaningfulimprovementsthatprotectthewell-beingoffactoryworkers,

localcommunities,andtheenvironment.

https://apparelcoalition.org/the-higg-index/

Higg Facility Social and Labor Module

ManufacturersusetheHiggFacilityToolstomeasurethesocial

andenvironmentalperformanceoftheirfacilities.Thesemodules

measureimpactsatindividualfactories,nottheparentcompanyasa

whole.Usersconducttheassessmentsatleastonceayear,andthese

assessmentsarethenverifiedbySAC-approved,on-siteassessors.

Benchmarkingbyfacilitytypeallowsfacilitymanagerstocomparetheir

performanceagainstthatoftheirpeers.

https://apparelcoalition.org/higg-facility-tools/

Oeko-Tex

TheStandard100byOeko-Texaimsatmakingitobvioustoconsumers

thatthelabeledtextileproductshaveundergonelaboratorytesting

forawiderangeofharmfulsubstances,andthatthecontentofthose

substancesremainsbelowthelimitvaluesestablishedbytheOeko-Tex

Association.

www.oeko-tex.com

Organic Content Standard (OCS)

TheOrganicContentStandard(OCS)isavoluntarystandardfromTextile

Exchangefortrackingandverifyingthecontentoforganicallygrown

materialsinafinalproduct.Thestandardprovidesaconsumerfacing

logoandlabellinglanguageforproductstobeidentifiedascertified.

https://textileexchange.org/matrix/organic-ocs/

GLOSSARY

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Oritain Global

Oritain provides excellence in product traceability to protect your

reputationandbuildtrustinyourbrand.TheOritainmethodtracesactual

productsbacktotheirtrueoriginusingadvancedscience.

https://oritain.com

Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)

TheRecycledClaimStandard(RCS)isaninternational,voluntary

standardthatsetsrequirementsforthird-partycertificationofrecycled

inputandchainofcustody.ThegoaloftheRCSistoincreasetheuse

ofrecycledmaterials.Providesassurancethatmaterialsareactually

recycledandinafinalproduct.

https://textileexchange.org/standards/recycled-claim-standard-global-

recycled-standard/

Science Based Target (SBTi)

Science-basedtargetsareasetofgoalsdevelopedbyabusinessto

provideitwithaclearroutetoreducegreenhousegasemissions.An

emissionsreductiontargetisdefinedas‘science-based’ifitisdeveloped

inlinewiththescaleofreductionsrequiredtokeepglobalwarming

below2Cfrompre-industriallevels.

https://sciencebasedtargets.org/

Ultrafiltration / Reverse Osmosis (UF/RO)

Reverseosmosisfiltershaveaporesizearound0.0001micron.After

waterpassesthroughareverseosmosisfilter,itisessentiallypure

water.Inadditiontoremovingallorganicmoleculesandviruses,reverse

osmosisalsoremovesmostmineralsthatarepresentinthewater.

Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action (UNFCCC)

UndertheauspicesofUNClimateChange,fashionstakeholdersworked

during2018toidentifywaysinwhichthebroadertextile,clothingand

fashionindustrycanmovetowardsanholisticcommitmenttoclimate

action.TheycreatedtheFashionIndustryCharterforClimateAction

whichcontainsthevisiontoachievenet-zeroemissionsby2050.

https://unfccc.int/climate-action/sectoral-engagement/global-climate-

action-in-fashion/about-the-fashion-industry-charter-for-climate-action

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

TheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsaretheblueprinttoachieveabetter

andmoresustainablefutureforall.Theyaddresstheglobalchallenges

weface,includingpoverty,inequality,climatechange,environmental

degradation,peaceandjustice.

https://sdgs.un.org/goals

United Nations Compact Principle (UNGC)

TheUNGlobalCompactisaprinciple-basedframeworkforbusinesses,

statingtenprinciplesintheareasofhumanrights,labor,the

environmentandanti-corruption.UndertheGlobalCompact,companies

arebroughttogetherwithUNagencies,laborgroupsandcivilsociety.

www.unglobalcompact.org

ZDHC Gateway

TheZDHCGateway–ChemicalModuleisaweb-basedsolutionthat

supportstheentirevaluechain.Thisadvancedsearchengineenables

registeringandfindingchemicalformulationsthatcomplywiththeZDHC

MRSL.Itsimplifiesthesearchformoresustainablechemicalsandbest

practices.

www.roadmaptozero.com/input#Gateway-Chemical-Module

ZDHC Manfacturing Restricted Susbstance List, (ZDHC MRSL)

TheZDHCManufacturingRestrictedSubstancesList(ZDHCMRSL)

isalistofchemicalsubstances.Thesesubstancesarebannedfrom

intentionaluseinfacilitiesprocessingtextilematerials,leather,rubber,

foam,adhesivesandtrimpartsintextiles,apparel,andfootwear.

https://mrsl.roadmaptozero.com

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)

ZDHCisagroupofapparelandfootwearbrandsandretailersworking

togethertoleadtheindustrytowardszerodischargeofhazardous

chemicalsby2020.

ZDHCwasstartedin2011,mostlyasaresponsetotheGreenpeace

DeToxcampaign.PartoftheinitialworkestablishedaJointRoadmap

thatdemonstratedthecollaborativeeffortsandstepsneededtolead

theapparelandfootwearindustrytowardszerodischargeofhazardous

chemicalsforallproductsacrossallpathwaysby2020.

www.roadmaptozero.com

Zero Liquid Discharge Wastewater System (ZLD)

ZeroLiquidDischarge(ZLD)isatreatmentprocessdesignedtoremove

alltheliquidwastefromasystem.ThefocusofZLDistoreduce

wastewatereconomicallyandproducecleanwaterthatissuitablefor

reuse.

Zero Waste to Landfill

ZeroWasteisasetofprinciplesfocusedonwastepreventionthat

encouragestheredesignofresourcelifecyclessothatallproductsare

reused.Thegoalisfornotrashtobesenttolandfills,incineratorsorthe

ocean.

http://zwia.org

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SUSTAIN REPORT 2020 ABILITY Elevate Textiles, Inc. · 2020. 10. 28. · Elevate Textiles reduced...

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