Creating value for people, the environment and society
Find out how EMMA Safety Footwear is working to make safety footwear more sustainable, with a focus on people, the environment, the use of materials, durability and circularity.
Creating value for people, the environment and society
Sustainability starts with the choices we make: the materials we use, the way we manufacture, and the lifespan of our products. For EMMA Safety Footwear, this means constantly looking at how we can minimise our impact on people and the planet. Without compromising on what matters most: safety.
Hand in hand
Safety, quality, comfort and sustainability go hand in hand at EMMA Safety Footwear. We always strive for the best choice on all these fronts, taking into account the possibilities offered by the shoe’s construction and its intended use.
This requires a continuous quest. What materials does a shoe consist of? Which raw materials can we reduce or replace? Which materials can we reuse? How do we ensure that a shoe lasts as long as possible? And who makes the shoe?
A circular future
Our ideal vision for the future is circular: using as few new raw materials as possible, keeping materials in the supply chain for as long as possible, and ultimately dismantling products and reusing them. We’re not there yet, but we’re taking steps every day to get closer.
Sustainability under the microscope: 5 products
In this article, we show what this looks like in practice. Using five EMMA products as examples, we highlight various aspects of our sustainable choices. From reducing material use and extending product lifespans to social inclusion and the reuse of materials.
For EMMA Safety Footwear, corporate social responsibility is about the value we create for people, the environment and society. Today and in the future.
E-BOUNCE S1PS White/Lime
Less environmentally harmful materials, lower CO₂ impact
The biggest contributor to a safety shoe’s carbon footprint comes from the materials needed to make it. The production of materials such as PU, steel and leather involves CO₂ emissions. That is why, at EMMA, we are constantly looking at ways to reduce our use of these materials. For example, by replacing them with high-quality, lower-impact alternatives.
Our E-BOUNCE collection is a great example of this. The styles are lightweight and feature high-quality materials with a low carbon footprint. In addition, we use a lot of secondary raw materials. Think, for example, of an insole made from 90 per cent recycled material or a fastening made from 100 per cent rPET, sourced from used plastic.
By carefully assessing the use of materials in relation to the performance required of the shoe, we can limit the use of raw materials and reduce the CO₂ impact associated with their production.
This approach is in line with our broader ambition to further reduce CO₂ emissions and the use of primary raw materials. After all, sustainability starts with the design: achieving the same safety and functionality with less or different material.
Connect Sport White
Lightweight, long-lasting
Using less material is a concrete way to limit a product’s environmental impact. Connect Sport White has therefore been designed as a lightweight safety shoe. A lower weight means that less material is needed to produce the shoe.
But sustainable design is not just about manufacturing the shoe. The question of how long the shoe retains its functionality also plays a role.
The PU sole of the Connect Sport White ensures that cushioning and support are maintained effectively during use. This keeps the shoe functional for longer and extends its lifespan.
A longer functional lifespan means that the materials used in the shoe fulfil their function for longer and that the shoe does not need to be replaced as quickly. In this way, reduced material usage and a long functional lifespan come together in a single design.
CrossForce Flex High
Impact for and by people
CrossForce Flex High – just like other safety shoes from the CrossForce collection – is manufactured in Kerkrade. This is partly carried out by people who face barriers to the labour market. This makes this safety shoe a concrete example of how sustainability at EMMA goes beyond just the impact on the environment.
Ever since its foundation in 1931, EMMA has been creating a positive social impact by prioritising diversity and inclusion within the organisation. People who do not automatically have access to the labour market are given the opportunity to utilise their talents, gain work experience and develop personally and professionally.
Work offers more than just an income. It can contribute to independence, social connections, self-confidence and a sense of belonging. By actively involving people in the production process, EMMA contributes to a more inclusive labour market and society.
This makes CrossForce Flex High not just a safety shoe, but also a product with a social impact. A shoe that demonstrates that corporate social responsibility is not just about what we make, but also about who we give the opportunity to make it.
Lukas S3
Built to last
Lukas S3 is designed for intensive, heavy-duty use. That is why we have deliberately chosen leather. A robust material that can withstand a knock and lasts a long time. This significantly extends the shoe’s lifespan and therefore makes it more sustainable.
When we use leather, we do so responsibly. All the leather sourced by EMMA Safety Footwear is high-quality and comes from suppliers with Gold certification from the Leather Working Group (LWG).
At the same time, we look at where we can use recycled materials in the design. The Lukas S3 features a fastening made from 98% recycled rPET, the lining is 65% recycled polyester and the insole contains 85% recycled material. Furthermore, the extra stitching in the heel helps to minimise wear and tear.
Lukas S3 demonstrates that sustainable design begins with a conscious choice of materials: strong and robust where necessary, recycled where possible.
Hydro-dry® working sustainable sock
From the sea to a sock
Even beyond our safety footwear, we look for ways to reuse materials. Our socks are a great example of this. For instance, our Hydro-dry® working sustainable sock is made from 25% ECONYL® nylon. Made from recycled waste material, including fishing nets fished out of the sea.
This gives waste a new purpose whilst, at the same time, helping to keep our seas cleaner and preserve marine life. But our contribution goes beyond the material in the sock. For every pair of EMMA socks sold, we donate 3 per cent of the purchase price to Healthy Seas, an organisation dedicated to removing waste from the sea and preventing marine pollution.
In this way, a single pair of socks brings together various aspects of sustainability: reducing waste, reusing materials and contributing to a cleaner underwater world.
Onwards to the future!
These five examples demonstrate that sustainability takes various forms at EMMA Safety Footwear. From reducing material use and our carbon footprint to extending product lifespans, using recycled materials and creating opportunities for people.
Sustainability is not a single measure, but a series of design and production choices. That is why we are constantly looking at where we can further reduce our impact on people and the planet. We’re not there yet, but with every improvement we take a step closer to a future where safety, functionality and sustainability go hand in hand.
