Texon, a world leader in sustainable, structural material solutions for the footwear industry, has been awarded two significant industry accreditations for its nonwoven facility in Dongguan, China. The site, which produces millions of square meters of box toe, heel counter, insole and lining technologies each year, now has SATRA Laboratory Accreditation Status and is certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).

The accreditations follow in-depth assessments by independent auditors and reflect Texon’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, and to prioritizing the health and safety of its sites, employees and the environment.

SATRA’s Accredited Laboratory program is a stamp of quality that is recognized throughout the global footwear and leather goods industries. The scheme provides reassurances to parties doing business together that the most rigorous material testing standards have been adhered to at all times. To become a SATRA Accredited Laboratory, Texon’s Dongguan site had to undergo a demanding assessment process. SATRA auditors visited the facility several times to confirm that the overall working environment, Texon’s testing equipment, its quality management system, and its technicians met its exacting standards. Texon also had to commit to regular SATRA audits. With SATRA Laboratory status in place, the site can now issue test reports for customers that include the SATRA logo – a sign of the validity of the physical tests conducted on its materials.

GRS is an international, voluntary, full product standard that aims to increase the use of recycled materials in products and reduce / eliminate the harm caused by production processes and social policies. On a mission to accelerate sustainable practices across the textile industry, the standard sets out requirements for the third-party certification of recycled content. It also specifies conditions relating to social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions. During the GRS evaluation process, Texon had to demonstrate that all of its products and processes at Dongguan lived up to GRS requirements across all aspects of its supply chain. It also had to provide evidence of its policies on employment; showcase its environmental management system; provide figures on its energy and water use; and disclose its record keeping around chemical storage and management.

Kevin Lowe, head of operations (Asia) at Texon, says: “Securing these accreditations shows our customers that our business operates to the highest possible standards and that absolutely everything we do is underpinned by a firm commitment to quality, safety and the environment. Added to the long list of ISO standards already in place at Dongguan, these standards help reinforce that we are a trusted partner to work with.”

Dongguan is Texon’s second SATRA accredited laboratory. The company’s facility in Mockmuhl, Germany, is already accredited for its production of cellulose products. Texon employs 180 people at its Dongguan facility.