German viscose producer Kelheim Fibres has undergone a CanopyStyle Audit, which confirms the company’s supply chain as low risk of sourcing wood from Ancient and Endangered Forests or other controversial sources.

Executed by independent third-party auditor NEPCon, the findings highlight that a significant proportion of Kelheim’s viscose products derive from FSC-certified forests.

Canopy’s executive director Nicole Rycroft has challenged the firm to attain 100 per cent of its viscose from FSC forestry and would like to see it develop and launch a fibre line from low-impact alternative materials.

“Canopy congratulates Kelheim Fibres for its low risk audit results,” said Rycroft. “Producers are increasingly hearing from brands that they will no longer source Ancient and Endangered Forest textiles by the end of 2020. This audit result is a validation of Kelheim’s efforts in that direction and positions it well in a competitive marketplace.”

Canopy would like to see further progression from the German fibre manufacturer and has outlined future targets that the company should strive to achieve. These include building on its utilisation of FSC forest-derived products so that it one day accounts for all the fibre it subsequently produces.

Along the lines of its action plan to save forests, launched earlier this year, the environmental NGO would also like to see Kelheim Fibres create a fibre line that makes use of low-impact alternatives.

Craig Barker, CEO of Kelheim Fibres, insisted: “We are committed to focus on sustainability at every step from raw material sourcing and state-of-the-art closed-loops production processes.

“We welcome the recommendations the audit report has given us for further improvements, and we will actively work towards implementing them,” he concluded.

Source: EcoTextile News