Sustainable strategy

TenCate Protective Fabrics envisions a future where every protective fabric we produce not only safeguards the wearer but also helps preserve the planet. Our goal is to produce industry-leading protective fabrics on a foundation of sustainable programs that reduce our environmental footprint, promote efficient use of resources, and foster responsible supply chains.

Achieving this vision depends on the people behind our operations. Our employees play a central role in how we develop, implement, and improve our approach. Their expertise and day-to-day involvement across our facilities help translate strategy into action. As a global organization, we rely on these teams to bring practical insight into how we operate, ensuring that our approach reflects both local realities and shared company-wide principles.

This website provides an overview of how we structure and report on these efforts, offering transparency into the systems, processes, and decisions that shape our ESG approach.

"Beyond protecting the people who trust our fabrics every day, the scope of our responsibility transcends the final use of our products"

Maria Gallahue-Worl
Chief Executive Officer at TenCate Protective Fabrics

Sustainability as a strategic foundation

For TenCate Protective Fabrics, compliance is the cornerstone of our sustainability journey. We define compliance as the ongoing commitment to meet and exceed the expectations of our stakeholders—ranging from suppliers, partners, and customers to regulatory bodies, owners, and local communities.

It’s more than a requirement – it helps us stay aligned with sustainability developments, anticipate future changes, manage risks, and identify new opportunities. This focus strengthens our programs and helps us make decisions that are both strategic for our business and responsible to the environments and people around us.

ESG Strategy Sustainability Website (1530 x 1280 px)

Impact, risk & opportunity management

TenCate Protective Fabrics applies a structured approach to identifying and managing ESG-related risks and opportunities across its operations in Europe and the US. Through a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA), we evaluate both environmental and social impacts as well as associated financial risks and opportunities, using defined scoring thresholds.

Key risks and high-potential opportunities are escalated to senior leadership, where strategic priorities, targets, and key actions are defined. Progress is monitored through relevant business functions using defined metrics and embedded in regular governance processes. Periodic updates ensure alignment with senior leadership and board-level oversight.

Sustainable practices, policies, initiatives and targets

To support our transition towards a more sustainable economy, we have implemented several practices, policies, and initiatives.
These are presented in the table below.

*ESG topic	Policies & practices	Publicy available**	Targets defined
Climate change
Pollution
Water and Marine resources
Biodiversity and ecosystems*
Circular economy
Own workforce
Health & Safety
Workers in the Value Chain
Affected communities*
Consumers and end-users*
Business conducts

*On these topics, TenCate Protective Fabrics does not have policies, targets, or initiatives, as they are not considered material.
**Shared upon request and in consultation