In 2019, Sessùn started transitioning to more responsible fibers that are less polluting and more respectful both towards the environment and humankind. We call these alternative versions of the more conventional fibers “low-impact materials”: certified, recycled, guaranteeing animal welfare, using more responsible tanning processes, sourcing sustainably managed supplies, etc. Sessùn chooses to adopt a strict definition of low impact which does not, for example, include uncertified natural fibers such as virgin cotton (except linen and hemp) and the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label, which does not guarantee a material’s eco-credentials. As of today, more than 50% of our materials are "low impact".

Incorporating synthetic fibers into our compositions allows us to increase the lifespan of our pieces: these fibers prevent pilling in wool blends, and product deformation during wear, for instance. Overall, they make caring for your piece easier and improve the product’s stretch. Synthetic fibers also allow us to offer fancy yarns that do not exist in natural or artificial alternatives.
Our objective is to minimize the use of synthetic fibers and prioritize recycled versions of those fibers wherever possible. In 2023, our collections were composed of 88% of non-synthetic fibers. Our aim is to use 100% of recycled polyester by 2025.

• Global Recycled Standard (GRS): An international standard which sets out requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. It ensures the traceability of recycled products throughout the production process.
• REPREVE®: Polyester for recycling can be sourced from textile production offcuts, used clothing, and from plastic bottles. REPREVE® transforms used plastic bottles into recycled polyester yarn with FiberPrintᴹᴰ tracer technology.
• Recycled Claim Standard (RCS): Used as a chain of custody standard to follow recycled primary materials from the beginning to the end of the supply chain. It verifies the presence and quantity of a recycled component in the final product.

• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): A label certifying that textile fibers are produced by organic agriculture, working conditions are decent, the environment is respected, and the product is harmless for health and for wearers. Production cannot involve carcinogenic or toxic substances. Furthermore, GOTS requires the establishment of a sustainability plan taking into consideration water and energy consumption, as well as waste and effluent management.
• Organic Content Standard (OCS): This label certifies the presence of organic materials for products which comprise at least 5% of natural materials. The OCS label covers the treatment, manufacture, packaging, labelling, marketing, and distribution of any products containing organic materials. More specifically, it certifies the absence of chemical inputs during the transformation process, the absence of GMOs in the material’s cultivation and the product’s traceability from the farm to the final user.

Certain artificial fibers like viscose are obtained from wood pulp which is then chemically transformed into a textile fiber. The supply and transformation process can have an environmental impact which can be mitigated by prioritizing the following fibers:

• LENZING™ ECOVERO™: Ecological viscose produced by the Austrian firm Lenzing®. The procedures used to transform the wood into fabric comply with strict standards imposed by EU Eco Label, to ensure that they respect the environment across the whole chain: raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, and end of lifecycle. The material also provides a guarantee that the source of the wood pulp is a sustainably managed forest.
• FILLSENS®: The Lyocell developed by FILLSENS® is sourced from FSC forests and produced using a process which limits pollution and toxic emissions. Fillsens® is manufactured in a closed loop and without pollution. Atmospheric, land and water pollution generated by the manufacturing process is almost negligible. As a natural cellulose fiber, the fabrics used are fully biodegradable.
• TENCEL™: Tencel™, also known as Lyocell, is a naturally biodegradable, innovative and ecological material, produced from wood pulp and a non-toxic solvent. Tencel™ is highly regarded in textiles, and is a breathable, resistant fabric, remarkably similar to silk. It is sometimes called vegetable silk. Its production also requires very little water.

At Sessùn, we have chosen to continue using animal-derived materials, while ensuring that animal welfare is respected. We have banned the use of real fur and exotic leathers, and we are members of the Fur-Free Retailer association. We opt for materials such as leather and wool because they offer durability and quality, but we ensure they come from sources that respect animals and that no animal is killed solely for its hide or for wool. To guarantee this, we exclude from our supply chain leathers produced in regions where there is no meat market for the animal concerned and we use certified materials that guarantee animal welfare. We also prohibit the use of wool sourced from farms in Oceania, where there is still a risk of mulesing, a practice we reject. We only source wool certified as ‘mulesing-free’. We firmly believe that it is possible to reconcile the use of animal materials with respect for animals, and we are committed to supporting sustainable and ethical practices across all our operations.

The Responsible Wool Standard is a voluntary standard certifying that a wool production is respectful of the well-being of the sheep and the land they graze on. The aim is to provide the industry with a tool for acknowledging sheep farmers’ best practices. The RWS relates to products containing at least 5% of RWS certified wool (as a percentage of materials). However, products containing uncertified virgin wool are not authorized to carry the name or the RWS logo.

The Responsible Down Standard is a certification that guarantees adherence to good practices in terms of animal conditions of ducks and geese, across the whole down and feather supply chain. It certifies the absence of the following: cruelty to animals, force feeding of geese and ducks, and live plucking. We prioritize certified down because it is a natural, more environmentally friendly material, more durable and higher performance than the synthetic alternatives made from polyester.

We choose to use leather for its quality and durability, we find the material preferable to artificial and synthetic options. We are not, and do not claim to be, a vegan brand. We maximize the supply we source from Leather Working Group (LWG) certified tanneries and increase the use of vegetable tanning of our leather products to guarantee high levels of health, social and environmental standards.

Leather Working Group certification aims to establish a more transparent and responsible leather supply chain thanks to its auditing standards. Tanning is a stage in leather manufacturing which can be highly polluting and chemical product intensive. This certification was developed in collaboration with key players in the supply chain to promote best practices in terms of performance, by taking environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects into consideration. We prioritize leathers sourced from LWG certified tanneries, thus guaranteeing higher management standards in terms of waste, energy, water, and chemical products.

Vegetable tanning is an age-old natural method. It uses vegetable tannins such as plants, bark, or berries. It is therefore more environmentally friendly than traditional tanning methods. Vegetable tanning should not be confused with “vegetable leather”, because the leather is of animal origin, only the tanning process is plant-based.