It is our mission to work with flax farmers, spinners and finishers to create the highest possible added value with the smallest possible ecological footprint. We always choose the most sustainable methods out of respect for our raw material.
Sustainable by nature
Flax is one of the most sustainable raw materials in the world. During growth, the flax plant receives no additional irrigation; rainwater is sufficient.
In comparison to other crops, far fewer pesticides and fertilizers are used with flax. The fibers are separated from the stem during a natural process called dew retting.
A local story
The best flax in the world grows in northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. This is the pre-eminent European ‘flax territory’, responsible for 80% of global flax production.
Our soil and our climate, which regularly alternates between sun and rain, are ideal for cultivating a strong fiber that is renowned for its quality around the globe.
Every part of the plant is used
All parts of the flax plant are used. The linseed is used for the next flax season, as well as to feed people and animals. Linseed oil is very nutritious and is also found in soap, paint and cosmetics.
The shives are processed into animal bedding or chipboards. The long fibers, and the highest-quality short fibers, are used for textiles. The other short fibers find their use in the insulation or paper industry.
At Libeco, we aim for a ‘no waste policy’. Our waste products – waste selvedge and shearing dust – are both recycled into insulation materials or paper.
Based on figures from 2011, CO2logic calculated our carbon emissions: 715 tons per year. Not high for a company of our scale, but with our sustainable ambitions, this had to be a lot better.
We worked intensively to reduce our emissions for two years. Renewable energy, solar panels, LED instead of fluorescent lighting, reviewing our waste management, the vehicle fleet, heating and air conditioning... these are just a handful of the measures that ultimately delivered a 33% reduction in our annual CO2 emissions.
We have been a carbon-neutral company since 2014. Every ton of CO2 that we cannot reduce per year, we compensate with financial support for an accredited climate project in Uganda. They make and sell energy-efficient stoves, each of which reduces annual CO2 by 1.4 tons. This improves the population's health and combats deforestation. We continue to work to reduce our emissions today. These were 496 tons in 2017, 40% less than in 2011.
Growing organic flax without crop protectors or fertilizers – this was the dream of a handful of farmers in the Seine-et-Marne region in France. Following their first test in 2005, it took 7 years before they were satisfied with their working method and the quality of the flax. Libeco entered into a collaboration with them in 2013. We were the first to develop a unique organic linen collection with GOTS certification.
The Sustainable Furnishings Council is an American non-profit organization with more than 200 members. These companies, retailers and designers from the decoration and furniture industry actively seek environmentally friendly working methods, materials and finished products. Libeco achieved Gold-level membership in 2015, and since that time we have also been involved in the Board of Directors.
In purchasing an adjoining building, we almost doubled the number of solar panels: from 1258 to 2278. Since then, we have been supplying around 25% of our own energy, with the rest being supplemented with renewable wind energy since 2013.
