Sattler, OEKO-TEX® and the institute OETI have a successful 'green' cooperation

Austria's Sattler announced that it was one of the first manufacturers of awning fabric not only to succeed in eliminating PFAS from its main products, but also to achieve important certifications in the field of sustainability. 

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemicals with basically useful properties, but which are non-degradable and can accumulate in the environment and in living organisms and thus also in the human body. These substances have been the subject of discussion and criticism for years because of their potential harmfulness to health and the environment. Therefore, various organizations and governments worldwide have taken measures to limit or even ban the use of PFAS.

In the textile industry, PFAS are used to improve the functional properties of technical textiles, including oil repellency. "We at Sattler have been working intensively for several years to develop a PFAS-free finish for our cloths, while maintaining the same technical properties as before," says Stephan Ully, head of R&D at Sattler SUN-TEX. "We have now completed the research, checks and extensive series of tests on cloths, which have shown that all relevant specifications of our TEXgard finish remain unchanged. Only the oil repellency has been reduced." 

"Due to the excellent results, we will convert the production of ELEMENTS and LUMERA to PFAS-free in September 2023, even before the new OEKO-TEX® certification guidelines take effect. In this way, we anticipate an EU regulation that is currently being developed," announces Senior Product Manager Sustainability Maximilian Keiper of Sattler SUN-TEX. 

OEKO-TEX® is an independent organization specializing in the testing and certification of textiles and leather. It began tightening the requirements for testing for PFAS several years ago. For example, since April 2020, all products seeking OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification must be tested for PFAS and their degradation products and metabolites. In addition, OEKO-TEX® has also introduced a new testing standard for testing PFAS-free finishes. The next step will be to ban the use of PFAS in the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, in the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD and the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT.

OEKO-TEX® Secretary General Georg Dieners is clear about the decision for completely PFAS-free textiles. "Ever since its founding in 1992, OEKO-TEX® has been following international and national guidelines and scientific findings. They are regularly discussed, leading to the continuous further tightening of our requirements. The harmfulness of PFAS has been investigated in scientific studies. The first international guidelines in the USA and Europe are currently discussing a possible ban. Therefore, we decided to develop the analytical methods and initial limit values to support a PFAS ban. We have included these methods and limit values in our product certification OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD and OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT." 

From April 1, 2024, the new PFAS-free guidelines for certification to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 will apply, which is one of the most important labels and best known to consumers. A 12-month transition period preceded the introduction of the new guidelines. 

"Overall, the development of PFAS-free finishes is an important step toward a more sustainable textile industry," Dieners believes. "By avoiding the use of high-risk chemicals, companies can contribute to reducing the amount of PFAS in the environment and in the human body. Consumers can also do their part by consciously looking for the right certifications when making their purchases." 

According to Maximilian Keiper, it is common knowledge that Sattler uses the most resistant outdoor fiber polyacrylic for its textile products. "The longevity of our fabrics is probably the strongest argument in terms of sustainability," he believes. "The conscious decision to buy a high-quality product that the end user can still enjoy in 20 or 30 years is one of the first steps toward more conscious consumption," he explains. "In addition, all our processes in procurement, planning and production are subject to extensive qualification and assessment. This year we have taken further steps in the area of sustainability. Through the new OEKO-TEX® SteP certification, which verifies the sustainability of our processes and supply chains, our products are now also OEKO TEX® Made in Green. With the OEKO-TEX® SteP certification and the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label, we clearly demonstrate the sustainability of our products and emphasize our leading role in the industry." 

Helene Melnitzky, head of the Ecology Department at the OETI Institute, notes that Sattler has been cooperating with the OETI for more than 25 years. "Their fabrics for sun protection and garden furniture have been certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 for 20 years, which is why we were very pleased with Sattler's decision to also have its two production facilities in Austria certified OEKO-TEX® STeP. This makes Sattler the first company in Austria to receive this certification for the weaving and finishing of technical textiles. In Europe there are hardly any companies in this sector that are certified according to STeP. We therefore see Sattler as a role model for environmentally and socially responsible production. With the decision to label the products OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, Sattler can now transparently communicate to third parties that the products have been sustainably produced and tested for harmful substances. Through the unique product ID or QR code, consumers can see where the product was produced and that much of the value creation took place in Austria." 

"These are just some of the steps Sattler is taking as part of a forward-looking product and company policy, bringing us step by step closer to our goal of being a truly green and sustainable company," concludes CEO Manfred Heissenberger of Sattler SUN-TEX. "Many measures in diverse business areas that interlock, this is the path we are taking at Sattler for the sake of a better environment. This is what we stand for with our name and the slogan 'thinking highTEX'."