At TenCate Protective Fabrics, we take a practical approach to integrating more sustainable materials into our products. This begins at the fiber level, where material selection plays a direct role in both environmental impact and fabric performance. Today, we incorporate fibers such as TENCEL™, derived from wood pulp sourced from certified origins; REPREVE®, a recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic; and XLANCE®, a stretch fiber produced through a solvent-free process that reduces microplastic release compared to conventional alternatives. For cotton-based fabrics, we offer options that include more sustainably grown sources, such as Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton.
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These materials are not used in isolation. They are engineered into blends that maintain the durability, comfort, and protective performance required in demanding environments. Over time, they have become a core component of product families such as Tecasafe® Plus, Tecapro® Ecogreen, Tecasafe® Ecogreen, and Tecawork™ Ecogreen—demonstrating how material innovation can scale across multiple applications.
Our efforts to incorporate these fibers have also contributed to reducing reliance on virgin, nonrenewable inputs. Since 2007, we have expanded the use of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers across global portfolios as an alternative to conventional cotton. Compared to traditional cotton production, this fiber requires significantly less water per unit, offering a measurable reduction in resource intensity. Similarly, since 2016, our Nijverdal facility has integrated recycled polyester derived from PET bottles into Ecogreen product lines, steadily increasing the share of recycled inputs across both FR and non-FR fabrics.
To guide these decisions, we apply a Design for the Environment (DfE) framework throughout product development. This approach helps us evaluate how materials, chemistry, and processes influence overall environmental impact. In practice, it supports efforts to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, select lower-impact raw materials, and identify opportunities to extend the value of materials beyond a single lifecycle.
Through these combined efforts, we continue to align material innovation with responsible resource use—ensuring that performance and practicality remain central to how we design and produce our fabrics.