FOR A WORLD MORE
SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPARENCY
At Felmini we are passionate about the planet and people.
Our focus is no longer just to produce shoes … It is much more than that … Our main concern is the planet and transparency is not a choice: that is why we feel that our customers deserve to know where their shoes come from, how they are made and who makes them. We are committed to produce high quality footwear, yet maintaining a minimal footprint on our planet. To this end, we have been focusing our efforts on sustainable materials and practices so that we have a positive impact on people.At Felmini, we believe that sustainability is a journey that that takes long term humility and commitment. The humility to pay attention to both what we have already achieved and what we still need to do. A path that is possible with the commitment of everyone. A path that requires all of us to ask themselves about what we do and, above all, what we can do to constantly improve and innovate. That is the path we are on.
MORE SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
QUALITY
At Felmini, we are constantly striving to reduce the environmental impact intrinsic to productive activity. To do this, we work with suppliers that present high quality long lasting products with low impact on the environment.
More and more, at Felmini, we take into account that this is the only way to move forward.
Our starting point is right at the moment we choose the raw materials that will be used in our products.
We believe that our customers have the right to know how their products are made.
LEATHER
Felmini uses mostly leather in its shoes. Leather has an excellent breathability, a great durability and excellent comfort properties. Its durability and the possibility of extending its life span through simple procedures, make leather a material with characteristics that are difficult to match: Felmini uses leather with defined provenance and tracked through the importer with the seal of Leather Working Group (LWG). Thus, it ensures that it is treated according to defined standards in order to reduce the impact on the environment. Nevertheless, Felmini will integrate in its collection a line of products with vegetable tanning. These come from LWG producers and are tanned using tannins of natural origin without the use of chromium or heavy metals and are therefore considered a raw material with reduced environmental impact.
WATER-BASED GLUE
We seek to invest in innovative, differentiating and more durable products. This is possible due to the careful selection of materials with less environmental impact, motivating the use of products and materials of natural origin and green seal. An example of this is the use of water-based glues – free of harmful solvents – in the sewing section – in the uppers.
SOLES
The path to sustainable development also goes through soles, so at Felmini , we seek to choose materials with a significantly lower environmental impact without compromising quality.
Felmini chooses suppliers that take into account the principles of circular economy, integrating recycled raw materials into the product and reducing the use of virgin raw materials.
From an ecological point of view, it allows reducing the amount of waste and reducing the impact of production on the environment.
RICE SHELL
At Felmini, we also use prefabricated rice shell soles. Rice husk is a natural by-product, resulting from the manufacture of rice in Portugal. Local supply, which in turn involves little transport. It attributes good mechanical properties to the manufactured products, allowing up to 20% of rice husk to be incorporated. The product’s biodegradability is higher, which implies a more sustainable product life cycle. Moriza boards can be finished to present a more elegant look, or they can maintain their natural surface.
Reduction of synthetic polymers used. Incorporation of natural materials from renewable sources. Reduction of the product’s carbon footprint throughout its life cycle. Use of waste from other local industries.
LINING
Felmini uses lining from the certified supplier Global Recycled Standard. Its composition is: 50% organic cotton and 50% recycled polyester.
Organic cotton is produced according to the principles of organic agriculture, which tends to be more beneficial than conventional agriculture because it does not use pesticides, reducing the impacts caused by soil and water contamination, which consequently affect the health of people.
The recycled polyester has its origin in plastic bottles (PET) that already been used, and which are recycled. Thus, they are removed from landfill deposits or directly into the environment
SHOELACES
The concern in choosing environmentally and socially responsible materials is also present when choosing the laces to be used in Felmini shoes. One of the cords used is produced by a certified supplier Global Recycled Standard, being composed of 100% recycled polyester. This certification ensures that the products used are made from recycled material and that social and environmental principles and restrictions on chemical substances used in the production process are complied with. In addition, Felmini also acquires cords from a certified supplier Global Organic Textile Standard, whose certification guarantees, in a credible way, to the final consumer, the organic composition of the product, from the harvest of the raw material to the labeling, through an environmental and a socially responsible production.
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OUR COMMITMENT
We have been defining and implementing concrete actions for the integration of more environmentally friendly materials and components in order to reduce the environmental impact of our activity, at the production process level. This means that we have been proactively reducing the environmental footprint, integrating renewable energy, reducing the use of energy and water, finding new markets for waste products and improving our traceability.
Our commitment to the use of responsible materials included in our products is just one way to achieve our goal:
To Make Felmini a sustainable, conscious and socially responsible brand.
