CWS in 2021 – Sustainability as Business Model

Germany-based textile and hygiene service provider CWS aims at becoming the most sustainable company in the textile care industry by 2024, according to company CEO Jürgen Höfling when he presented the 2019/2020 sustainability report.

Figures in the report show that from 2018 to 2019 the proportion of fairly produced workwear increased by 17 percent. During that period, the CO 2 emissions were reduced by an average of 28 percent. Last year, 2.3 million workwear items were repaired and 55 percent of the garments produced consist of sustainable materials such as sustainable cotton or recycled polyester.

As to sustainability, the interim report has three focus points. As to “Putting People First” the accident rate fell by eight percentage points in 2019. Related to “Sustain Business” the company has been working with 72 percent of its trading partners for at least five years. According to ‘the optimized circular economy’, 55 percent of the garments produced in-house are made from sustainable materials and the company’s dispenser system “SmartWash” saves up to 90 percent water and 60 percent soap by pre-portioning. The company is planning to get involved in three other areas: the health and safety of people along the value chain, in optimized product and service cycles and in sustainable management.