Utenos Trikotazas - Notification on material event

AB Utenos trikotažas becomes first Lithuanian company to join Greenpeace Detox campaign

Utena, Lithuania, 2017-01-23 08:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Utenos trikotažas,
the largest textile manufacturer in Central and Eastern Europe, has officially
joined the Detox campaign of Greenpeace this year. Utenos trikotažas has
committed itself to eliminating by 2020 any raw materials likely to have
adverse effects on humans or the environment from its production chains at all
stages of the product life cycle, from the start of production, through
packing, to the wearing, washing, sorting and recycling of clothing. The Detox
campaign involves 78 companies from around the world, including Valentino,
Benetton, Levis and other. Utenos trikotažas, a part of SBA group, is the first
Lithuanian company involved in the campaign. 

“Ever since 2012, the strategy of Utenos trikotažas has been focused on higher
value-added, environmentally-friendly and high-quality products. We have strong
customers who value innovative materials and see environmental protection and
the effects of the products they buy on the environment in a broad sense as
issues of relevance – this is a growing global trend, and we have been
consciously and consistently preparing for it,” – says Algirdas Šabūnas, CEO at
Utenos trikotažas. 

It took Utenos trikotažas several years to prepare for joining the Greenpeace
initiative. Since 2014, it has invested in a variety of laboratory tests and
trials, with its professionals devoting a lot of time to reviewing all the
production chains and carrying out regular comprehensive assessments of
suppliers. The Detox commitment will add to the certifications earned by the
company so far (e.g. Global Organic Textile Standard, Organic Content Standard,
etc.) in recognition of environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible
production. 

“Our production has been free from harmful substances for a long time already,
and chemical compounds released at different stages of production are within
the permissible limits. As soon as it fulfils the requirements set by
Greenpeace, Utenos trikotažas will permanently eliminate even the permissible
amounts of undesirable substances – such achievements by vertically-integrated
manufacturing companies are a very rare phenomenon. In addition to Utenos
trikotažas, there are only a few vertically-integrated manufacturing companies
in the entire world that have fulfilled the conditions set by Greenpeace and
acquired the right to join the Detox campaign. This is yet another significant
step taken by the company in enhancing its distinctiveness in the competitive
textile market,” – Šabūnas added. 

Since 2011, Greenpeace has been actively fighting pollution in the textile
industry. Environmentalists have identified 11 groups of chemicals widely used
in the textile industry that are of a particular concern due to their effects
on humans and the environment. Greenpeace insists that the major manufacturers
and their suppliers commit themselves to stopping by 2020 the use of these
hazardous chemicals in production and ensure that they do not get into the
sewage water. 

Utenos trikotažas is the largest and one of the most modern knitwear
manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe. The Utenos trikotažas group of
companies, which also comprises Šatrija, Gotija and Mrija (Ukraine), is part of
the SBA concern. In the first three quarters of 2016, the sales of the Utenos
trikotažas group of companies amounted to EUR 16.7 million and the group earned
EUR 994,000 in operating profit. Utenos trikotažas currently owns the Utenos
and About retail trade marks. 

More information:

AB Utenos trikotažas

CEO Algirdas Šabūnas

Phone 8 389 51445