Whether it is natural fibers such as wool or cotton, or synthetic fibers such as polyester or polyamide, the extraction and use of resources has an impact on the climate, the environment and people. For this reason, Benetton Group is gradually increasing the use of recycled and certified fibers and materials in its collections and has defined its goals for the sourcing of raw materials, which must avoid the degradation or destruction of the ecosystem and biodiversity, minimize negative impacts at all stages and processes and foster resilient development of the environment and people.
From wool to cotton and linen, today almost 80% of the fibers Benetton Group uses to manufacture garments are of natural origin. In addition, about half of the items are monofiber, making them easier to recycle. Over the past year, the Company has implemented a production rationalization strategy, to meet market demand more promptly, and has continued the work on raw materials, with a progressive increase of recycled fibers and certified materials in its collections.
*limited to the main fabric
Benetton Group is committed to ensuring that the supply of the raw materials used is carried out in a sustainable manner, minimizing negative social and environmental impacts in all phases and processes.
The supply must be in line with local laws and international standards and not cause degradation or destruction of the ecosystem and biodiversity. Furthermore, ensuring ethical sourcing practices is an integral part of Benetton Group’s commitment: the raw materials used in all our garments must in fact be produced in such a way as to contribute to sustainable development, by respecting human rights and preserving natural resources.
In 2023, Benetton Group revised its strategy on the use of preferred materials. In defining sustainable materials, Benetton Group aligns with Textile Exchange definition - a fiber or raw material that delivers consistently reduced impacts and increased benefits for climate, nature, and people against the conventional equivalent, through a holistic approach to transforming production systems - and requires the use of third-party certification schemes (when available) in order to ensure the integrity of supply practices. The standards used in the certification processes are: Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), Organic Content Standard (OCS), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). In order to measure its progress, Benetton Group contributes to the Textile Exchange’s Corporate Fiber and Materials Benchmark (CFMB) and consult the Material Change Index to orient its sourcing strategy. Additionally, we are following the development of PFM matrix - Preferred Fiber and Material Matrix - that combines quantitative and qualitative data that allows for detailed comparisons within each specific material category. Impact criteria include soil health, water contamination, human rights, and animal welfare.
Our goals:
- 75% of our materials will be sustainable by 2025
- 100% of the cotton used will be sustainable by 2025
- 30% of wool will be recycled by 2030
- 100% of recycled or bio-based synthetic fibers by 2030
- 100% of man-made fibers from low-impact suppliers by 2030
Cotton is the material we use the most and accounts for more than 60% of our production volume, therefore it is the area on which we can have the greatest impact. Compared to sustainable alternatives, conventional cotton has much greater social and environmental impacts, from cultivation to processing (water consumption, use of pesticides, carbon dioxide emissions, and respect for human rights and tracking of the supply chain).
Wool has always been part of the identity of Benetton Group, ambassador of Italian knitwear in the world. This is why we are committed not only to guaranteeing the quality of the fiber, but we also aspire to increase our quota of recycled wool. It is a conscious choice that allows to reduce the raw material consumption with a view to circularity.
Viscose represents a small part of our production (6%), however in order to preserve forests and the biodiversity heritage and reduce the environmental impact of chemical transformation processes, we are committed to sourcing sustainable viscose. Benetton Group aims to only use man-made fiber producers with low risk profile upon achievement of “green shirt status” in the Hot Button Ranking, aligned with the roadmap to responsible viscose, lyoncell and modal fiber sourcing.
Synthetic fibers derive from fossil materials, non-renewable resources, whose global demand has steadily grown in recent decades. The transition to certified recycled and bio-based fibers allows us to minimize dependence on fossil materials and reduce the extraction of non-renewable resources.