Welcome to
Schmitz Textiles.

At the turn of this year, 2023/2024, we will be switching the production of our elegance Collection to completely PFAS-free finishes/materials. This means we will also achieve certification in accordance with Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This momentous change underpins our relentless commitment to environmental protection and the safety of our customers. We firmly believe that this measure represents a key step towards the further reduction in the impact of our products on the environment, as well as towards our pursuing a more sustainable future. We will remain true to our mission of producing high-quality outdoor fabrics that respect and protect nature.

At Schmitz Textiles, we are increasingly putting our focus on the use of recyclable raw materials to drive forward our goals concerning sustainability. We know that our planet’s resources are precious. Consequently, we are working towards extending the life cycle of our products. We are integrating recyclable components within our outdoor fabrics by applying innovative technologies and by a careful selection of the materials used. This not only enables us to cut down on waste but also helps to reduce the size of our carbon footprint substantially. We are proud to play an active part in protecting our environment, whilst supplying our customers with top-quality products that are durable, functional and environmentally friendly.

We, at Schmitz, not only concentrate on using recyclable materials, we are also turning our attention towards bio-based raw materials for the future. We recognise the importance of natural resources and therefore prefer to select sustainable alternatives with a smaller adverse impact on our environment. Our choice of natural resources enables us to manufacture high-quality outdoor fabrics that are not only hard-wearing, but also offer a natural look and feel. Furthermore, we promote transparency and a good working relationship along our supply chain to ensure that our natural resources are obtained and processed in line with the highest environmental standards. In this respect, we contribute towards conserving nature, whilst also creating products for our customers that are both pleasing on the eye and respectful of the environment.

Our commitment to abiding by strict environmental standards is an integral part of our corporate philosophy. We attach great importance to minimising and continually improving our adverse impact on the environment.

As regards generating heat, we are committed to the efficient use of resources. Our steam boilers are equipped with flue gas heat exchangers that increase the flue gas temperatures from 102°C to 135°C. This results in energy savings of 7%. An O2 control system saves a further 2%, meaning an overall saving of around 220 t Co2 per annum.

Our regenerative post-combustion facilities purify the flue gas from the finishing processes at 850°C, eliminating pollutants in the process. The heat thereby generated stays in the combustion chamber and is used to generate hot water and other finishing processes. In addition, the waste heat from the heat exchangers is utilised in production processes, be it to heat rooms or support our production processes such as in air-operated diaphragm pumps. Consequently, we generate over 1,500,000 kWh of heat and save more than 360 t CO2 each year.

Our efforts in becoming more energy-efficient also concern how much energy we use. The use of energy converters enables us to reduce our consumption of energy by up to 50% through demand-driven pumps and compressors. By switching to efficient LED and T8 light bulbs, we have saved a further 85% on electricity costs. We utilise energy-efficient components which reduce the amount of energy used on an ongoing basis.

We are focussing on avoiding and reusing waste, whether it be through agreements with suppliers on their taking back and recycling packaging materials as well as the use of recyclable polyethylene film or the use of fabric, which cannot be sold, as transport packaging. These are further steps in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. The reduction of packaging in general as well as extensive separation of waste are also on our list of priorities.

In terms of product development, we rely on fluorine-free finishes of the materials used for our awnings and are developing awning fabrics made from 100% recycled threads. We do not use any halogenated flame retardants and have adopted a close-loop system, whereby waste becomes a valuable raw material.

We are proud to present our eco elegance awning fabric that has been produced using 100% recycled threads – an innovation that not only protects the environment, it also meets the highest levels in terms of quality. As a pioneer in our sector, we are the first to use this environmentally friendly fabric. Our awning fabric is characterised by an exceptionally high degree of purity of the recycled fabric which is carefully sourced from our audited suppliers of raw materials. The granules used are of an exceptionally high purity and food-safe, which ensure that our awnings are not only sustainable but also safe to use.

Our certifications, including ISO 9001:2015, 14001, 45001, 50001 and Ökotex 100 highlight our commitment to quality and environmental credentials. Despite its sustainable origin, our certified yarn maintains the same technical properties as conventional awning fabrics and provides excellent weather resistance.

Our awning fabrics are completely PFAS-free and are distinguished by their excellent bonding properties and their ability to be configured as required. Furthermore, the colours are as vibrant as standard fabrics, thanks to the polyester threads used. A high UVP factor of >50 ensures optimum protection against the sun and makes our recycled awning fabric the perfect choice for environmentally conscious customers who do not wish to compromise on quality and performance.

Our commitment to sustainability goes far beyond manufacturing environmentally friendly products. We have initiated an ambitious project that focusses on a closed goods' manufacturing cycle. In face of the changing legal framework, we have recognised that the future is based on the use of recyclable raw materials and an efficient material loop. This internal project drives forward the implementation of strategies to minimise our waste from production and, at the same time, maximise the recycling of raw materials. We are determined to close this loop by turning waste into valuable raw materials, thus taking a sustainable and responsible path towards the future. Our efforts go hand in hand with the changing legal requirements and reflect our ongoing commitment towards the environment as well as conserving resources.