Fabrication |
Environmental Protection |
The Terracare label unites all of the Heinen tannery´s efforts to produce leather in the most ecologically and socially responsible way possible.
The use of CO2 neutral energy, water protection, the responsible use of chemicals as well as social considerations are the issues we focus on.
32. Water
Water is the most valuable raw material in the world.
For us, here in Germany, clean water is taken for granted. But there are over one billion people in this world who do not have access to clean drinking water!
Germany - a country where we seem to have an abundance of clean water - must be a role model in its use of this valuable resource.
Tanneries have a special responsibility for actively reducing water pollution because leather production requires large quantities of water and this water comes into contact with many highly active substances.
All of the water used in the beamhouse is collected and purified in the company`s own water purification plant.
Harmful substances are filtered both mechanically and chemically. Residual materials such as chromium and sulphides are collected or converted in sedimention tanks.
This results in high quality waste water that is reintroduced into the production cycle and (partially) sent on to the municipal water purification plant.
But the best way to protect water is to save water!
In the past we have adopted various measures and made investments that have significantly reduced our water consumption!
Water is never wasted. We always carefully calculate the exact amount of water we need for each production step and use computer controlled systems to guarantee that we only use as much as we need.
Not every step in leather production requires the use of valuable fresh water!
That is why we recycle and reuse water wherever we can in manufacturing processes.
Through the combination of avoiding, saving and recycling, the Heinen tannery is continually reducing its consumption of fresh water
Water is life. When we produce Terracare, we face up to our responsibility.
33. ENERGY
Our society`s energy consumption releases huge amounts of C02.
That damages our environment and endangers our climate.
That is why 100% of the electricity used by the Heinen Tannery comes from regenerative, CO2-neutral sources!
A mix of wind, water and solar power ensures that the production of terracare leather protects our climate and our atmosphere.
For our steam production we use natural gas - the most ecological of all fossil fuels.
34. Trees
Despite all of our efforts to save energy and to use ecological energy sources,
the production of Terracare still produces some CO2.
Even though these amounts are small when compared to other tanneries, we are still aware of the responsibility we have for what we do.
Trees bind CO2 and thereby neutralise emissions.
Through the Project Terracare ZERO, we support global reforestation programmes.
The programmes are chosen according to „Carbon Fix Standard“ criteria and monitored by independent environmental organisations.
35. Transportation
The transportation of people and goods results in the emission of CO2.
We are aware of this!
For our Terracare products, we work together with our employees and business partners to create optimal logistics, thereby protecting the environment.
As a traditional family-owned company, the Heinen tannery is located in the core area of the city of Wegberg:
Many of our employees come to work on foot or by bike.
For those that come by car, intelligently planned word schedules help our employees to set up car pools.
So, even before a shift starts, we have already saved significant amounts of CO2.
Together with our logistics partners, customers and suppliers, we are constantly working on making our logistics as ecological as possible.
We purchase our supplies from local companies whenever we can.
That reduces shipping mileage and the resulting transport emissions!
Our raw materials come from German slaughterhouses and are delivered fresh.
That not only helps the environment, it also ensures excellent quality hides.
36. Chemicals
The production of leather requires the use of chemicals to preserve the hides, colour them and then re-grease them. This is true for all tanning, all over the world.
In the Heinen tannery, we take a very careful look at the kinds and amounts of chemicals that we use in production and their place of origin.
We buy our chemicals in Germany or from our European neighbours who also have to abide by the high German environmental standards.
Once they have been delivered, they are stored in specially certified and very safe buildings.
We use only selected haulage companies who deliver the liquid chemicals in specialised trucks.
The chemicals are delivered straight to our liquid chemicals warehouse.
Here dedicated locks, valves, hoses and a special catch basin ensure that the chemicals are pumped directly into our vats and that not a single drop gets into the environment!
A closed, computer-controlled metering system ensures that precisely defined amounts of the chemicals are added to the vats at precisely the right time in the production process.
People and the environment never come into contact with the chemicals.
37. Raw Materials
To reduce the amount of chloride in our rivers and streams, the Heinen tannery uses only refrigerated hides and never salted ones ñ and we use only German hides that come from suppliers close to our tannery.
That has many advantages: short transportation routes save time and energy.
And the shorter the transport, the shorter the chill time - and the better the quality of the leather!
All in all:
The successful mix of local business partners, short transportation routes and intelligent logistics leads to an excellent and very ecologically hide.
Good for our environment.
38. Social Aspects
Our highly trained employees are our most important capital. We know what responsibilities we have towards them.
The social security accorded to German employees is extremely high when compared to other countries around the globe.
This is, of course, also true for the employees at the Heinen tannery.
All employees, their partners and children have health insurance. Each one is in a pension plan and has accident, unemployment and nursing care insurance.
We invest in the training and continuing education of our employees and exceed the already high level of social insurance offered by German laws.
Our employees appreciate what we do:
Many have worked here for years, and even decades. Everyone does their best.
And we are proud of that.
Their exceptional performance, the care they take and the vast experience that each and every employee adds to the production process leads to the creation of an exceptional product Made in Germany
...
... made by: Heinen Tannery!
