In a key step in its sustainability efforts, Nilit said it has completed the conversion to cleaner energy.
The action comes in the form of a new, on-site cogeneration power plant using natural gas at the premium nylon 6.6 fiber manufacturer’s main facility in Migdal Haemek, Israel. The move, which will reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent and emissions of toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide to zero, advances its mission of providing more responsibly made fibers to the textile industry.
The initiative is the latest in a series of ongoing sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs announced in 2019 that will have a significant positive influence on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) measurements of Nilit products.
“Throughout its 51-year history, Nilit has undertaken efforts in water conservation, energy usage and materials and waste management,” Ilan Melamed, Nilit general manager, said. “The move to more sustainable, greener energy at the heart of our manufacturing infrastructure accelerates this effort in a game-changing way.”
The new on-site cogeneration plant, which also serves other businesses in the area, required a significant investment, the size of which makes it the largest and most cost-effective conversion in the industry. It also represents another milestone in the Nilit Total Product Sustainability (TPS) program designed to provide the apparel market with more eco-friendly products.
Other Nilit environmental initiatives recently announced include an increase in capacity of its Sensil EcoCare recycled nylon product line, new product collaborations with leading sustainable apparel brands, and research and development programs to develop high-quality sustainable performance and fashion fibers.
The company, founded in 1969, has four vertically integrated manufacturing facilities and global offices serving its customer base in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia, Latin America and North America.