Sateri has become the first lyocell producer in China to be awarded Oeko-Tex’s Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) certification for responsible production. The company’s lyocell facility in Rizhao, Shandong Province, also obtained the highest ranking of level three in the certification assessment scoring for implementation of best manufacturing practices. Together with its earlier award of Oeko-Tex’s Standard 100 certification – confirming its lyocell fibre as free from potentially harmful substances and complying with European standards, it means Sateri’s lyocell products are qualified to carry the ‘Made in Green’ product label.
The STeP certification comprises three levels describing the extent to which a company has achieved sustainable production and working conditions in its textile factories. Areas of assessment include chemicals management, environmental performance, environmental management, social responsibility, quality management, as well as occupational health and safety.
Sateri president Allen Zhang said: “This not only reflects Sateri’s relentless pursuit for responsible manufacturing excellence, but marks an important step towards sustainable value chain management.
“Sateri will continue to work with upstream and downstream partners to realise the sustainable development of our entire industrial chain.”
Sateri’s factory in Rizhao, which has been operating since May 2020, has an annual output of 20,000 tonnes of lyocell fibre. It also houses a 5,000 tonne pilot production line for the development of new lyocell technology. In March this year, the group announced plans to expand its annual lyocell production capacity in China to 500,000 tonnes by 2025.
Sateri’s lyocell is made from wood pulp sourced from certified and sustainable plantations. It is manufactured using closed-loop technology, requiring minimal chemical input during the production process, and utilising an organic solvent that can be almost fully recovered and recycled.
