ECONOMY
Economic sustainability requires sustainable business practices. A company that wants to do business in this sense must take social, ecological and economic concerns into account in equal measure. Ethical business dealings thus also pay off in the long run, whereas irresponsible behaviour increasingly becomes a disadvantage. Which also means that sustainable business practices are a factor for success in the long term. ELTEN is rising to the associated challenges.
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_1](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_1-290x300.jpg)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_1](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_1.jpg)
USE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS
As part of its sustainability strategy, ELTEN GmbH is constantly on the lookout for innovative and sustainable products that meet high quality standards.
Recycled materials are already being used today, for example in heel counters, which contain a filler made from almost 40 percent recycled material, or insoles, which contain 75 percent recycled foam. Uppers and linings made from recycled PET materials are now incorporated into our collection development. As our products are subject to strict quality and testing requirements according to the standards for foot protection, there are certain limits to the use of recycled materials.
Recycled materials offer an environmental advantage over newly produced materials. In this way, we improve the life cycle assessment without compromising on quality and safety and help to conserve resources.
We are actively working to ensure that an ever-increasing share of our products are made from recycled materials. The decisive factor for us is that legal requirements are met and the recycled materials fulfil them. In addition to recycling processes, we are also accelerating downcycling so that raw materials are not lost if at all possible.
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Recycling](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Recycling.png)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_2](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_2-290x300.jpg)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_2](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_2.jpg)
VEGANE ALTERNATIVE
Vegan is on everyone’s lips, and more and more often on our feet, too. Some of our models are completely animal-free, which means that not a single component of the shoes is of animal origin. This also applies to production, by the way. Only those shoes for which even the auxiliary materials used, such as adhesives, do not contain any components of animal origin are offered under the “100% vegan” label.
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Natur](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Natur.png)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_3](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_3-290x300.jpg)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_3](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_3.jpg)
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT GLOBALLY
As an internationally operating family business, we work together with various institutions that inspect our quality, social standards and working conditions. We want not only to create transparency and guide our customers but also improve and secure working conditions with lasting results.
FAIR SUPPLY CHAINS
As we operate globally, we also pay attention to how our partner companies act in terms of social standards and working conditions. In this respect, ELTEN relies on long-term and trusting business relationships. ELTEN has implemented a comprehensive sustainable supplier programme. All ELTEN suppliers are included in the supplier programme, regardless of whether they are located in so-called high-risk countries or not.
CODE OF CONDUCT
As an amfori BSCI member, ELTEN is committed to respecting the principles of the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct and implementing them in the supply chain. ELTEN suppliers are obliged to agree to be bound by the comprehensive Code of Conduct based on the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct.
Together with our partners, we are committed to continually improving working conditions. Satisfied employees create high-quality products.
Code of Conduct
amfori.org
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Ecovadis_ALL](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Ecovadis_ALL-290x300.jpg)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Ecovadis_ALL](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Ecovadis_ALL.jpg)
ECOVADIS RATING
Our work in the area of sustainability is verifiable. In order to see exactly where we stand and where there is potential for improvement, we have undergone an evaluation by the rating agency EcoVadis. The EcoVadis rating covers a wide range of non-financial management systems, including environmental impact, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Menschen_Gemeinsam](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Menschen_Gemeinsam.png)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_5](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_5-290x300.jpg)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_5](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_5.jpg)
Independent amfori BSCI social audits are a tool for risk analysis and for checking whether ELTEN GmbH’s Code of Conduct based on the criteria of the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct is being complied with. Our commitment as a member of amfori BSCI is a further contribution to our social responsibility in terms of sustainable business.
ELTEN has conducted a risk analysis on social standards in the supply chain based on the amfori BSCI “Country Risk Classification”. Our suppliers are audited on the basis of this risk analysis according to amfori’s principles.
![](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/LKW.png)
Both at ELTEN GmbH and in the CSR audits carried out at our suppliers in 2021 in accordance with the amfori BSCI assessment criteria, no corresponding violations relating to labour rights, human rights, conflicts of interest, corruption, fraud and bribery were identified that would have led to an unacceptable level of maturity. The ultimate goal of our principles is the sustainable improvement of social standards in the supply chain.
cads
cads e.V. – the cooperation for assuring defined standards for shoe and leather goods production – provides information on the production and marketing of shoes and shoe materials free from harmful substances as well as environmentally friendly production.
As a member of cads, we are committed to protecting people and the environment from harmful substances. We are therefore also committed to ensuring continued compliance with the German and European limits on restricted substances for our products. In addition, we keep abreast of innovative manufacturing methods via cads in order to be able to produce more sustainably.
HDS/L GERMAN FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
ELTEN is a member of the Bundesverband der Schuh- und Lederwarenindustrie e. V. (Federal Association of German Footwear and Leather Goods Industry). HDS/L represents manufacturing companies in the footwear and leather goods industry, advocating on their behalf to the retail sector, authorities and legislators.
Leather Working Group (LWG)
The Leather Working Group (LWG) is a non-profit organisation made up of stakeholders from the entire leather value chain. It is committed to improving the global leather supply chain and minimising the environmental impact of leather production. ELTEN joined the LWG in 2023 to support more responsible leather production.
ELTEN therefore strives to use leather that comes from tanneries that are audited according to the LWG protocol. In 2022, the leather share from tanneries audited according to the LWG protocol was already more than 90%. The goal is to increase this share to at least 95% by 2025.
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_6](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_6-290x300.jpg)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_6](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_6.jpg)
TOP QUALITY AND MANUFACTURING
Our products are made of high-quality leathers, various textiles and plastics. The materials have many good properties but are demanding in their production and processing. We rely on high-quality and sustainable products and development and production that protect resources and the environment as much as possible.
Core requirements of the standard, such as the optimisation of internal processes and the continuous improvement process, contribute to our customers’ confidence that they will receive safe and high-quality products. The quality level of production has also steadily improved. For example, the complaint rate for material and manufacturing faults has been more than halved in the past five years alone, to less than 0.2% in 2022.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
Environmentally friendly production hinges on the machines and materials used. We work in our production with state-of-the-art production technology from the world market leader DESMA. These machines are durable and designed for energy and material efficiency. As a machine manufacturer, DESMA is a partner in the German Engineering Federation’s (VDMA) sustainability initiative.
The majority of our ELTEN outsoles are directly moulded on using a DESMA production robot rather than being glued. In this way, we achieve considerably less sole waste, work much more precisely and use materials more sparingly. Modern robots also allow us to dispense with the use of adhesives, in particular solvent-based adhesives, during the moulding process. For applications that do require adhesives, only hot melt or water-based adhesives are used, except in the case of special applications.
We exclusively work with high-quality and durable raw materials. Thanks to the high product quality, we not only reduce the amount of waste. A long product life is also consumer-friendly and significantly reduces the strain on the user’s wallet and the environment over time, compared to short-lived consumer products.
SUSTAINABLE LEATHER
A proportion of our leather consists of high-quality Terracare® leather from the Heinen tannery, produced according to demanding social and ecological standards. Buying our safety shoes made of Terracare® leather therefore actively contributes to environmental protection.
![Wirtschaft_Leder_ALL](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Leder_ALL.png)
![Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_7](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_Kachel_Motiv_EN_7-290x300.jpg)
![Wirtschaft_DoppelKachel_Motiv_EN_7](https://elten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Wirtschaft_DoppelKachel_Motiv_EN_7.jpg)
UEDEM SITE
- Production, logistics, orthopaedic consulting, store
- Seminar and conference centre
- Production
- Sales, product management, technology
- HR
- Distribution
- Marketing
WE ARE EXPANDING
Sustainable building means: building in a way that is particularly resource-efficient, yet economical and functional over the building’s entire life cycle. But it also means strengthening the local site through structural investment. For this reason, we have expanded the production facility in Uedem with a new 5,250-m2 building with an automated small parts warehouse, an orthopaedic workshop, textile finishing and a store.
At the same time, we installed a photovoltaic system on the roof of the new logistics building, which, together with the PV on the existing building, has a total output of 938 kWp (kilowatt peak). We feed the surplus cleanly produced electricity into the public grid.
8. November 2023 / from the ELTEN team