ENVIRONMENTAL

Our Report 2022

 

 

 

Our role as a company is to make sure that we offer products and services whose components and processes are respectful of the environment throughout the value chain. To offer our customers adequate materials for their various needs, incorporating innovations and leading-edge designs.

EcoSense

At Spradling® Group, beyond beautifying spaces and meeting the highest requirements, we are committed to the future by positively impacting the environment, people, and communities around us.

 

For this reason, we gave life to EcoSense® , a brand that represents our efforts to minimise our environmental footprint through sustainable product innovation and production processes, in both Costa Rica and Colombia.

To ensure leaving the smallest possible footprint on the environment, Spradling® have taken many steps towards eco-friendly Coated Fabric production.  The manufacturing facilities in Colombia and Costa Rica have been equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that make efficient use of natural resources and prevent harmful by-products from being released into the environment.

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

PROTECTING THE AIR

Aware of our impact and the importance of managing our emissions, we have implemented strict gas treatment controls that guarantee that any releases do not negatively impact air.

 

We are also a certified Carbon-neutral company. We reduce and offset 100% of our production's footprint.

Efficient use of energy

We have taken steps to increase efficiency and use cleaner forms of energy in our procedures. Almost 100% of the electrical energy that supplies both facilities comes from clean sources. We have photovoltaic systems in both plants (+ 760 solar panels).

 

We have incorporated innovative, highly efficient electric motors that reduce the consumption of electrical energy. We have the ISO 50001 certified at the Costa Rican facility, which validates our commitment to conscious energy consumption.

Conserving the water

Spradling® realises that water is one of the world's most valuable resources and should be regarded as such. At both plants, residual waste water is never spilled directly into public pipelines. Instead, it is directed into a holding system that analyses and treats pH and acidity levels. Solvents, used during the manufacturing process, are distilled through a filtering system that allows for re-use ensuring that nothing enters the water supply.

 

We treat 100% of the wastewater. The water consumption necessary for the process is carried out efficiently using a closed circuit.

RECYCLING & REUTILISATION

Each step of the manufacturing operation takes into account the full potential of resources. Having facilities situated near the rainforest of Costa Rica and in Colombia, SPRADLING® monitors and conforms to applicable international environmental laws and has met them consistently in all production locations.

IN PRODUCTION

At the Colombia facility, 85% of waste incurred is reused in the creation of new material. The remaining 15% is disposed of appropriately through incineration or sold to third parties for other production processes. If incineration practices are used, corresponding certificates are always obtained in accordance to strict federal regulations. With the utmost concern for environmental awareness the Costa Rica site sells packaging and paper waste (tanks, boxes, release paper) to the local communities. What is left within the pipeline is utilised to manufacture new material. All additives that enhance the flexibility of SPRADLING® coated fabric are recovered fully and circulated back into manufacturing.

SUSTAINABILITY

The long product life cycle of Coated Fabric reduces the need for frequent replacement. When the time does come, however, there are opportunities for conversion into other useful commodities. 100% of post manufactured product goes to other industries.

IN APPLICATION

The recommended products for cleaning and maintaining the appearance of Coated Fabrics are 100% biodegradable. The useful life of Coated Fabrics is substantially longer than any other synthetic material. Their long service life limits the need for early replacement and therefore consumer disposal of worn material. This also calls for fewer natural resources to be used for production.

REACH AND RoHS COMPLIANCE FOR EUROPE

SPRADLING® in Europe, through its companies Euro Spradling S.L.U. in Spain, Spradling GmbH in Germany and Spradling UK Ltd in the UK, monitors and follows closely the REACH regulation (EC) 1907/2006, which is consistent with the company’s commitment to promote responsible production, handling and use of the supplied products. All coated fabrics sold by our company are classified as an “Article” in the regulation.

 

All substances contained in our coated fabrics are not released under normal conditions of use. Therefore, a pre-registration or registration of these substances under the REACH regulation is not necessary. In our process of monitoring and enforcement of REACH, all substances classified as very high concern (SVHC) are verified and evaluated in collaboration with our suppliers to ensure that they are in process of registration or, if not, alternatives to replace them are evaluated within the set time limits of the regulation.

 

SPRADLING® declares that all its articles marketed in the EU do not contain any of the substances considered as SVHC under the Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of 18.12.2006 (REACH).

 

All our products sold in Europe meet the RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances) Directive 2002/95/EC that restrict the use of certain substances commonly used in electric and electronic equipment  like Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Hex-Cr), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB), and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE).