SUSTAINABILITY
OUR SUSTAINABLE APPROACH AS A COMPANY
Founded in 1922, the Schneider Group is the most trusted source for responsibly and beautifully made precious wool and other animal fibre tops.
The Schneider Group is a company with a unique integrated certified global network. We are a fully vertically integrated supplier of animal fibres and tops, on a global scale, having our own local sourcing and production sites across continents.
Sustainability is the Group’s strategic priority and part of our DNA. This sustainable strategy is based on actively and continuously reducing our impact. It follows the Sustainable Development Goals for textiles and is especially committed to improving water and energy savings in industrial production by reducing as much as possible the quantity of water used, electricity and natural gas consumption, CO2 emissions, and using exclusively GOTS certified auxiliary materials.
Following these guidelines, Pettinatura di Verrone, the Group’s Italian mill, has installed a new high-efficiency cogeneration plant powered by natural gas for the combined coverage of 95% of its electricity and thermal energy needs, recovering energy also from exhaust steam and engine cooling. Thanks to the high efficiency and energy savings achieved during 2022, Pettinatura di Verrone has been awarded TEEs (Energy Efficiency Certificates).
Other significant investments in building thermal and conditioning insulation, solar panels, heating pumps and energy optimisation software are scheduled in the mills belonging to the Group. Moreover, the Schneider Group uses world-class water treatment plants alongside its factories, often maintaining even higher standards than those required by law, to ensure the utmost cleanliness of wastewater which contains mainly soil and vegetables. We use exclusively GOTS detergents and chemicals, which are natural and biodegradable. This allows the waste muds to find a new application in agriculture.
Since 2018, we have regularly evaluated the environmental footprint of our industrial processes, products and auxiliaries through the Life Cycle Assessment, to ensure proper monitoring and reduction of our impact, year after year, guaranteeing continuous improvement.
We resolutely believe in responsible, ethical and high-quality standards of sourcing and processing across our entire global certified network. The Schneider Group’s mills are RWS and GOTS certified for wool and SFA certified for cashmere standards. This means their management systems and procedures are audited on a yearly basis to verify their compliance and chain of custody.
OUR SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO PRODUCTS
Our wide range of products includes next-generation tops and fibres which embody our unwavering commitment
to animal welfare, ethical and environmental standards, high quality and performance.
Merino Wool Tops
• From the finest to 22.5 microns
• Certifications available: RWS, GOTS
Crossbreds Wool Tops
• From 23.5 to 29.5 microns
• Certifications available: RWS, GOTS
Merino Wool Open Tops
• From 13.5 to 21.5 microns
• Certifications available: RWS
Carbonised Wool
• From 14 to 21.5 microns
• Good colour, medium and dark shades
• Certifications available: RWS
Wool Noils
• Certifications available: same as original fibre
PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS
THE SCHNEIDER GROUP’S COLLABORATIONS
Being a world leader in the processing and supply of high-quality wools and animal fibre tops requires joining forces, sharing perspectives and facing new challenges. The Schneider Group has ongoing active collaborations with major global institutions such as Textile Exchange and the International Wool Textile Organisation to accelerate new progressive solutions such as: regenerative agriculture, exploring “impact incentives”, promoting sustainable practices, standards and partnerships within the industry, ensuring animal welfare, pasture management and product quality, and improving standard implementation.
Our Group also supports the sustainable management and financing of raw materials as developed by United Nations Climate Change, collaborates with Make The Label Count, is part of Slow Fibre and proudly supports the Campaign For Wool and Campaign For Wool New Zealand.
The Schneider Group’s Projects
NATURAL FIBRE CONNECT (NFC) CONFERENCE
Bringing all actors in the natural fibre supply chain together
The Schneider Group is uniquely structured with local teams in almost every fibre producing country worldwide, bringing the company exceptionally close to growers and herders. We have been connecting brands and growers for over 100 years, and we decided to take this communication channel to the next level by establishing Wool Connect, which later grew into Natural Fibre Connect with the inclusion of partners such as Sustainable Fibre Alliance, International Alpaca Association and Mohair South Africa.
Because we believe that collaborations are essential to progress the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and create true resiliency within the textile industry, we have created a global, multi-fibre framework that provides an open dialogue, brings growers and herders together and fosters collaboration to confront the challenges ahead of us.
MASTER IN NOBLE FIBRES IN BIELLA
Training the textile managers of tomorrow
The Schneider Group supports young graduates undertaking the Biella Master of Noble Fibres. Its mission is to preserve and pass on the heritage and know-how of the high-end textile industry. Students are awarded a scholarship to learn about technical and management aspects of all steps of the textile supply chain, from raw materials to retailing with a special focus on noble fibres. The course alternates in-class moments with internships in partner companies, from mills in Italy to farms in Australia and fashion brands in the USA.
TRICK (Product Data Traceability Information Management by Blockchains Interoperability and Open Circular Service Marketplace)
Using technology to change the world
Under the patronage of the European Community, the initiative aims for a more transparent and collaborative industry in line with the Schneider Group values, and we are one of the selected participants of the Trick project.
The project supports the adoption of an innovative and circular product information management system, based on a platform secured by blockchain, which provides supply chain stakeholders and final consumers with all the relevant data needed to implement end-of-waste practices and make informed purchasing choices.
The core of the project is the development of a complete, reliable, affordable and standardised tool.