Bossa’s Belief in Sustainability Shows in its Denim
Sustainability has clearly been catching on in the denim industry, and one Turkish manufacturer that’s embracing the cause has a lot to say about what it’s doing for the sector.
For Bossa, “total quality management and business excellence” is an inherent part of its corporate culture, and it’s a concept also applied to its products.
“One of the core strengths of our company is the powerful and long-lasting relationship established with prominent brands and designers globally. With 67 years of experience in Textile and know-how, we are proud to present novelty, trends and outstanding products to all our customers,” Bossa’s Deputy General Manager Mr. Tayfun Akbay told Carved in Blue.
Continuing the conversation, Carved in Blue caught up with Tayfun to understand a little bit more about the Bossa brand and what it means to the denim industry.
Carved in Blue: Can you tell us a little about Bossa?
Tayfun: With 67 years in business, we continue to maintain our leadership position in the industry with our high quality, innovative, differentiated product range, customer-oriented products and services tailored to our clients’ specific needs, fast delivery, widespread market network structure, effective price policies, and high customer satisfaction.
Established in 1951, Bossa is one of the largest integrated textile corporations of Turkey with its facility in Adana. We offer a wide range of high quality denim fabrics, with a high production capacity in dyeing and finishing.
Our ISO 9001 Quality Management System maintains total quality practices and enables us to effectively handle a competitive market resulting from globalization, changing consumption patterns and consumer behavior.
Young and dynamic team players, globally wide spread and efficient sales network, product quality, collection diversity, advanced production and information system technologies and sound financial structure are the building blocks of our proven track record.
With investments of USD 200 million in the last 15 years and TURQUALITY® Certificate obtained in December 2006, we continue to be a strong global player in Textile.
Carved in Blue: What are your sustainability initiatives?
Tayfun: Bossa leading full integrated fabric manufacturing mill has been actively involved in the protection and preservation of the environment since its startup.
We adopted the following procedures aimed at reducing our environmental impact: sustainable materials, energy efficiency, water saving, process engineering, certification, social responsibility, re-usage, collaboration, co-creation, and ecological dyeing.
Bossa launched the entirely ecological RESET collection in 2006. Each season the collection evolved one step further. Consumption of Organic/ BCI cotton, naturally colored cotton, usage of natural chemicals & dyestuff, achievement of manufacturing 100% recycled denim with recycled cotton /recycled PET provide big contributions to the existence of the world. We acknowledge that it is important to reduce, reuse & recycle in order not to compromise the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. So, let’s continue to do our part.
In addition to its unique offerings, Bossa uses a specific classification to emphasize different levels of environmental friendliness of the fibers used in the composition. This classification is developed by a European organization, called Made By, which aims to improve environmental and social conditions in the fashion industry. 20 fibers scored based on the following 6 criteria and are classified in groups: Greenhouse gas emissions, the level of human toxicity, the level of eco-toxicity involved in the fiber production, the total energy and water input needed, and the land use required in the fiber production.
Carved in Blue: Do you measure impact of these initiatives?
Tayfun: Yes, with our LCA [life cycle assessment] methods we are able to measure the impacts to nature and compare against conventional productions.
LCA is a standardized scientific method defined under ISO 14040/44 for systematic analysis of flows (e.g., mass and energy) associated with the life cycle of a specific product, technology, service or manufacturing process system.
In a life cycle study, process steps are identified for each stage in the life cycle. The inputs (materials and energy) and outputs (releases to air, water, soil, etc.) are determined for each step. The inputs and outputs are then grouped into impact categories, which are evaluated for environmental impact potential, and summarized as the basis for drawing conclusions and improving future results. Thus, LCA is a “Multi-Criteria” analysis that assesses multiple environmental impacts such as global warming potential, acidification potential, abiotic depletion.
Some Environmental Impact Parameters Calculated By LCA Method: Global Warming Potential, Emissions, Ozone Depletion Potential, Acidification, Impacts to Marine & Freshwater, Impacts to Human Health, Abiotic Resource Depletion.
Carved in Blue: Who is driving sustainability—the consumer, brands or the supply chain?
Tayfun: Final consumer awareness is driving the sustainability and as a result recently we are getting much more demands by the brands and retailers.
Carved in Blue: How does TENCEL™ Lyocell fit into your sustainability plans?
Tayfun: We use organic cotton, recycled cotton and also we use and combine sustainable fibers with recycled and organic cotton. TENCEL™ is the one of the sustainable fiber that we are using in our fabrics. TENCEL™ fibers are derived from sustainable wood sources, natural forests and sustainably managed plantations. Wood and pulp used by Lenzing is harvested from certified and controlled sources. And also TENCEL™ fibers are soft to the skin, smooth to the touch, luxurious in shine and flow, and also give thermal regulation and moisture absorption.
Carved in Blue: Does sustainability have to cost more?
Tayfun: Not exactly as production wise, but the cost of sustainable raw material in fact costs more, which directly affects our raw material inputs.
Carved in Blue: If you had to construct the “most sustainable jean” what would that be?
Tayfun: 100 percent recycled denim aiming Zero Water consuming dyeing methods.
Carved in Blue: Which city is most inspiring to your developments? Why?
Tayfun: Los Angeles. Because it gives the opportunity to see a lot of different looks. A lot of people wearing denim in personal and peculiar ways.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Tayfun: Carved in Blue means sustainability in denim industry.