Sympatex was awarded “Best for the World” in the environment category for the second time this year. We ask Rüdiger Fox, CEO at Sympatex, 5 questions about this and find out, among other things, why competition can no longer work and why it was a good idea to close the company for a day in 2016.
What do you think led to this award? What does the high score in this category represent?
At Sympatex, we have defined sustainability as a corporate goal. We believe that every company must consider its goals within a larger socio-economic system in this complex world. In this respect, our primary strategic focus is on sustainability and this goal is even more important than short-term financial benefits.
You also have several impact business models in the category. Can you briefly describe what they mean and what they represent?
We have realized that as a supplier of a polyester membrane, we are the missing element in the textile industry in the field of circular textiles. Polyester makes up 80% of synthetic materials in our industry. With our mono-material strategy, we can already prepare products in such a way that they can be easily recycled at the end of their life. And this has also been at the heart of all innovation topics and development projects in recent years. We are giving our customers the opportunity to prepare for the circular economy today.
What specific impact have you been able to achieve with the measures in this category? What are you particularly proud of?
Back in 2016, we founded a consortium whose members represent the circular economy in the textile industry – Wear2Wear. All partners have worked for over five years to ensure that the circular economy is already possible in the textile industry today. Last year, we presented a jacket at ISPO in Munich that we are particularly proud of: A jacket made entirely from used textiles. It was proof that the circular economy is possible. We have created a reference that the new EU legislation can use as a guide. It is therefore no longer a theory, but a tangible reality.
Without whom would the award not have been possible?
I believe the strategy could only become reality because it was made possible by all employees working together and is therefore the guiding principle for all activities in all areas. Nothing was controlled from the top down; instead, any changes were able to grow from the bottom up in the organization, meaning that everyone can identify with the results. And it was crucial that we developed the core strategy “We are closing the loop, together” together with all employees in 2016. To do this, we closed the company for a day and developed the foundations together. If we hadn’t done that, it would probably have been fragmented or just a bit of greenwashing. As it is, it is a reality that automatically flows into all areas of the company. Everyone tries, almost in a natural way, to move the company a little more in the direction in which our industry must develop holistically every day.
Finally, what are 3 words that define the B Corp movement for you?
Courage. … because those who join the movement are not only those who have recognized that things need to change, but also have the courage to actually implement them in the face of resistance and criticism.
Realistic. …because it is actually not a moral theory due to its implementation in the companies! In reality, every B Corp company proves anew every day that a different way of doing business is also a successful model. Sustainability and social compatibility are in no way contradictory to economic success – both can run in harmony.
Collaborative. …because anyone who studies the circular economy will realize that in an economic system where everyone is both customer and supplier, competition can no longer work. And in this respect, B Corp is the upgrade of what the economy can mean and therefore an example of what the future will look like.
About Sympatex
As one of the world’s leading suppliers, Sympatex® has been synonymous with high-tech functional materials in clothing, footwear, accessories and technical applications since 1986. Together with selected partners, Sympatex develops, produces and distributes membranes, laminates and functional textiles as well as finished products worldwide. The technologies and processes are based on the principle of ecological responsibility and sustainability, with a particular focus on minimizing the carbon footprint. Sympatex is represented worldwide with sales offices and subsidiaries. More information can be found at www.sympatex.com
About “Best for the World™ Each year, B Lab recognizes the top performing B Corps. “Best for the World” is the award given to a B Corp-certified company when it ranks in the top 5% globally in its respective size group in one of five impact areas: community, customers, environment, governance and employees. These companies demonstrate that they have successfully integrated the three pillars of sustainability and, as “the best for the world”, are at the forefront of a movement that is driving the transformation of business to a stakeholder-oriented and inclusive economy. This interview previously appeared on Karry Schwettmann’s blog
