The ECO2L label encompasses the world’s first calculation and auditing model for determining tanneries’ environmental performance, and was developed by Germany’s Leather Research Association (FILK) as an active contribution towards climate protection.
In awarding Bridge of Weir Leather’s factory in Renfrewshire with the production-related energy standard BEET – Best Energy Efficiency for Tanning – the company was audited and passed by ECO2L based on the following criteria:
– Operating proven energy-efficient facilities
– Systematically determining specific corporate carbon footprint on site within established limits
– Ability to purposefully reduce CO2 emissions
– Ability to continuously improve the sustainability of product
Scottish Leather Group environment director, Dr Warren Bowden, said: “We are delighted with this accreditation – the first of its kind, and further substantiation of our low carbon leather label. We are proud to produce the world’s only low carbon leather and actively encourage customers globally to choose only certified products and support climate protection strategies. The German automotive industry is the largest user of interior leather in the world, so to gain this accreditation from Germany is praise indeed for our fine Scottish leather.”
The ECO2L accreditation further supports Bridge of Weir Leather Company’s sustainable energy policy, which has seen it adopt a zero waste strategy and ensured that it is already one of the most modern and environmentally efficient leather manufacturers in the world.
The certificate is issued by Forschungsinstitut fur Leder un Kunststoffbahnen (FILK) (Research Institute Leather and Plastic Sheeting), and includes the right to use the ECO2L label for a period of three years, at which point the accreditation must be renewed.
With a history of over 100 years supplying leather to the automotive industry and its high performance low carbon leather exported to over 60 countries around the world, Bridge of Weir is a continuing international success story with customers including Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and many others.
