Sustainability by Svensson
In our sustainability work, we have identified four focus areas and developed clear strategies and targets for these.
Our overall sustainability goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions throughout our value chain, which includes product life cycles. This is in line with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, with 2030 as the time frame for our efforts.
Raw materials
Together with our suppliers, we are working to reduce the climate impact of the value chain.
More with less
We focus on reducing our climate footprint by reducing waste and capitalising on its value, reducing our energy consumption and increasing our energy efficiency. We actively work to reduce the use of chemicals and water
Sustainable solutions
We help our end users become more sustainable.
Circularity
We are taking an active role in the transition towards a circular business model and future collection systems to preserve material value for reuse.
Sustainability report
Thinking and acting long-term and sustainably has been part of our DNA since 1887. We are a company with deep historical roots, but we live at the forefront of our times, which is why we take responsibility for the climate solutions we offer to professional interior designers and greenhouse growers. Our business model rests on the promise we make to our customers for a better climate for people and plants. We also strive to achieve a better working environment, increased efficiency and reduced consumption of energy, water and chemicals.
The textiles are developed and manufactured in our factories in Kinna and China, with control from yarn to finished fabric, all with the same high quality, function and aesthetics. When we design and manufacture our products, we aim to ensure that they can be used for many years, whether they are climate control fabrics for indoor or outdoor use in professional greenhouses or curtains, upholstery fabrics and sun protection for public spaces. Our climate solutions are sold in more than 130 countries worldwide. By offering advisory services, we ensure that our products are used correctly for optimal performance and longevity. Nothing is left to chance in our work; we continuously endeavour to ensure sustainable effects for our company, employees, end users and the planet, today and for the next generation. That is our promise - and our guiding star in everyday life.
Reducing the carbon footprint
With over 20,000 hectares of Svensson climate screens installed in greenhouses worldwide, Svensson screens save an estimated energy production equivalent to that of three to four nuclear power plants per year. A saving of such extreme is a sizeable contribution towards reducing the carbon footprint globally.
Enabling customers to save energy is one way of contributing. Another is to reduce the environmental impact of our production, also a top priority for Svensson. For us, the sight has always been set on a sustainable future.
Research and development
Our own research and development department continuously generates new products, for both indoor and outdoor use. It will be no surprise that we collaborate with the best research institutes, universities and other third parties to develop and trial newly developed concepts and materials.
Water
Our factory is located between the Viskan and Häggån rivers. We source our water in Viskan and purify it in our own treatment plant. We use the water to dye and wash yarn and finished fabrics. Used water goes to our equalisation tanks and then to the municipal treatment plant. We hold a permit from the County Council to dye and prepare textiles. The permit is linked to a control programme, which means that we continuously measure and control our emissions to water and air, and that we have control over our chemicals and equipment. We endeavour to reduce our consumption of water, as this also enables us to reduce the amount of chemicals. We do this by developing our processes and maintaining tighter control over them.
Waste
Waste is a challenge for all companies. We continuously sort and measure the waste we generate. Doing it once is not enough; we need to take into account that our products change and evolve - hence raw materials and ultimately waste compositions. An examination of waste flow values, from purchase to delivery to customer, will result in a Sankey diagram showing all waste. Our goal is to reduce waste by 5 per cent each year, based on the amount of materials purchased. We are also working to identify solutions to retain the value of waste in a material loop.
Transportation
Svensson generally works with companies that emphasize the importance of the environment, set environmental goals, can provide sustainability reports and are working to achieve climate-neutral transportation (e.g. through membership of the Swedish Road Administration climate-neutral road haulage project.) ISO14001 certification is preferable.
Historic inventory
Our factory buildings have been the site of weaving, knitting, textiles processing and dying since the 19th century. For the inventory of contaminated sites under what is known as "MIFO" methodology, textiles processing has generally been classified as Class 1 (very high risk). This is mainly because it has involved large quantities of hazardous chemicals, oils and water and proximity to sensitive watercourses.
Svensson has conducted a historic inventory in consultation with the County Administrative Board. The County Administrative Board has subsequently decided that the current use of the land (as an industrial area) does not require decontamination. According to MIFO environmental methodology, the site is overall assessed to be grade 3, i.e. a moderate risk (on a scale of 1-4). This is a confirmation of our dedicated and forward-thinking employees who realized early on the importance of proactive environmental measures.
More information
"MIFO" (methodology for inventory and risk classification of contaminated sites)
Who we are
We are the fourth generation of the Ludvig Svensson family – a Swedish company led by siblings Anne and Anders Ludvigson. The passion for textiles that defines our organisation is one that embraces both design and function.
Certificates
Today, maintaining a high-quality product is a prerequisite to remain in business. This comes naturally for Svensson as we have always produced only the best textiles.
Smart Textiles
Svensson today exports climate screens to over 130 countries. Here two of the architects behind its success, Göran Henningsson and Cees den Boer, recall how it all began in the 1970s with a load of scrap and a brilliant idea.
Awards
Svensson has received a number of awards and distinctions over the years. Here are some of the honours that we're most proud of.
Our History
One hundred and twenty years before the textile company was deemed to be a barometer of the Swedish economy, our founder, Ludvig Svensson, was born.
Meet the Ludvigson's
In October 2017, Svensson, which has subsidiaries in the US, South Korea, Holland, and China, made the London Stock Exchange’s list of Europe’s 1,000 fastest-growing and most inspiring companies.
The Svensson teamwork
Svensson has all the skills it needs in-house, from research and development to design and production. We quizzed four employees about smart collaboration across departmental boundaries, and what that means in practice.
Birth of the climate screen
Svensson today exports climate screens to over 130 countries. Here two of the architects behind its success, Göran Henningsson and Cees den Boer, recall how it all began in the 1970s with a load of scrap and a brilliant idea.
Where it all began
To this day the Svensson textile factory weaves its magic in a red-brick castle in Kinna in the west of Sweden. This is where its manufacturing operations and headquarters have been based since the turn of the last century.