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We use ISO 14001 to regulate our Environmental Strategy. Being certified means we have demonstrated that our Environmental Management System (EMS) is in place, and is used in the running of every aspect of our process.
Our EMS ensures we systematically identify all regulatory requirements and potential environmental risks in our process and action corrective or preventative initiatives. This includes an assessment of energy use and chemical management.
ISO 14001 ensures we continuously assess and improve our environmental and sustainability goals. The certification means our clients can rely on this internationally recognized standard when assessing our environmental and sustainable credentials. See our current certificate here
Our mill is now powered by 100% renewable electricity. The Northern Irish power supplier Power NI has certified our energy as rated Zero Emissions.
Linen has some strong attributes that
place it high on the list of eco-friendly fabrics.
With this as our starting point, we have formulated a simple approach to sustainability.
Carbon capture
Each hectare of flax (the plant from which linen yarn is made) captures 3.7 tonnes of CO2.
Maintains Soil Quality
Flax works as a rotation crop; when swapped on land every 6 - 7 years it can boost soil quality,
and increase yields of the next crop.
Reduced Water Use
If linen was replaced with cotton cultivation it would require an extra 650.000 million cubic meters of water. Flax crops do not require irrigation (extra water), the crop can grow with rain fall alone.
Today over 200,000 acres of organic flax are grown in Europe. Providing traceability from fiber to woven fabric (GOTS label).
Natural coloured Linen is fully biodegradable
Awareness; Our first aim is to be aware of the environmental impact of each of our manufacturing processes. With this information, we can prioritise our efforts.
Inquiry; We're making it a priority to investigate and stay up to date with changes within our supply chain. Staying up to date helps us identify new opportunities for change. We review other companies in other industries to see if we can learn from their experience.
Trialling and testing; We are Collaborating with others and making time for trials within our process. This helps us drive change into our everyday work.
We take water from our own source. When processing yarn and fabric we use water which has filtered through basalt rock and is drawn from over 100 metres below ground. This water is naturally soft with no impurities which is important for the processing of linen.
It is used in our preparation, dyeing and softening processes and is constantly monitored.
We offer a range of finishes, from pristine to the most casual soft hand. Washed linen has a particularly nice casual appearance and texture and many designers like to wash / launder the fabric to enhance that relaxed feel. Laundering linen can also reduce creasing and allows linen to recover faster when creased.
Water used in our process is monitored and treated before it goes back into the local water system.
Our strategy is not only to ensure our processing is of the highest quality, but also to look at other aspects of water usage to see how we can lower our consumption and reduce where 'grey' water is produced in our process. Our approach is: Maintain a work practice that keeps the use of chemicals to a minimum, and drive the trial and uptake of innovation from our dye supply chain. To reduce the amount of water required in processing and to recover heat from waste waters.
Pad Dyeing; Using this method, the linen is run through rollers after a trough of dye. It is then given the optimum time to react before washing begins. Only dyestuffs with 90% plus fixation are used. This ensures the least amount of water and dye possible is used in the dyeing and washing process.
Tumbled finish; This finishing process allows us to produce a laundered finish fabric without using water. The system simulates the churning of a laundering process in tubes of fast moving air.
Water Treatment; All of our waste-water is pumped to the local government treatment center where it is analysed with tight controls on discharge impurities.
Our process uses electricity and gas for power. As it is a key cost factor we are always looking for ways to do more with less. Our approach to energy is two fold;
Internal Use of Energy
We continuously look for ways to reduce our use of energy Improving machine efficiency along with heat recovery plus running at optimal operational efficiency to conserve energy
External Energy approach
Maximize purchase of sustainable energy. All of our electricity used at our Kells site is air generated. We also use LPG gas and are currently testing Bio LPG produced from renewable sources.
All chemicals and dyestuff used at our mill comply with the European REACH compliance legislation. All waste plastics and papers are separated and sent for recycling. Learn more about REACH
Packing materials used contain recycled materials.
Effluent disposal is to a local government treatment centre and is reviewed monthly to ensure tight standards are kept.
72 Shankbridge Road,
Kells,
Ballymena,
County Antrim,
BT42 3DL
Tel +442825891206
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