Mauritius-based CIEL Textile has released its 2022 sustainability report titled ‘Winning Well’ that highlights the key initiatives taken to implement the company’s environmental, social, and governance objectives, while incorporating key elements of its sustainability strategy and vision.
The report also underlines the company’s efforts to enhance its environmental performance as the company has achieved remarkable results, with a verified average score of 85 per cent on the HIGG FSLM and an average of 88.4 per cent on the HIGG FEM across all of its 19 sites.
Through its 19 production units across Mauritius, Madagascar, India, and Bangladesh, CIEL Textile positions itself as a true partner in the world of fashion. Each year, 43.5 million garments are created with passion by the 23,000 talents of the company.
Eric Dorchies, CEO of CIEL Textile, expresses immense satisfaction with the progress made in establishing sustainability as an integral part of the company’s corporate culture. He states, “We have significantly enhanced our ability to effectively measure our sustainable development initiatives for each of the three key pillars of the group’s sustainable development strategy, namely ‘Foster a vibrant workforce’, ‘Champion inclusive growth’, and ‘Activate climate response.’ I have full confidence in our team’s ability to achieve the ambitious sustainability objectives we have set for 2030.”
In 2022, the percentage of women holding leadership positions within the group rose to 28 per cent, marking an increase from the 24 per cent recorded in 2020. The team leaders have undergone targeted training to eliminate unconscious biases and encourage women’s autonomy. The aim is to achieve a 35 per cent rate of women in leadership positions by 2030, while establishing wage parity by 2025.
CIEL Textile has internally deployed innovative digital platforms, including a cloud-based human capital management system and an online learning management tool aimed at facilitating employee access to essential training and resources, while promoting productivity within a modern, flexible, and inclusive working environment.
The company has reinforced its commitment to using certified recycled raw materials, increasing from 38 per cent in 2020 to 45 per cent in 2022. It has set new ambitious goals, aiming to reach 50 per cent by 2025 and 80 per cent by 2030.
In two years, the share of renewable energies in CIEL Textile’s energy consumption has more than doubled, increasing from 14 per cent in 2020 to 36 per cent in 2022. The company aims for 60 per cent by 2025 and 80 per cent by 2030. Simultaneously, it aims to reduce its energy intensity by 5 per cent by 2025. Through innovative measures, the group has succeeded in transitioning to a coal-free production process, exceeding its goal set for 2030.
One of the key pillars of CIEL Textile’s strategy is employee well-being. According to Quentin Thorel, Group Head of Sustainability, a significant initiative in this regard is the Graduate Programme.
Successfully launched in India a few years ago in partnership with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), this programme has been expanded to all countries where the company operates, aligning with its ambitions.
Quentin Thorel adds, “We have already successfully initiated a similar programme in Madagascar in 2021 and in Bangladesh in 2022. This year, we are delighted to welcome a new group in India and Madagascar. We are currently in the recruitment phase for the upcoming Graduate Programme, which will soon commence in Mauritius.”
Sarbajit Ghose, Asia Executive Director, explains, “We have meticulously built factories that stand as role models for implementing outstanding sustainability practices, encompassing energy, waste, and water management. These factories are globally renowned, and we take immense pride in our recent achievement in receiving the ‘LEED Platinum’ certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for our Laguna Kanakapura facility. This marks our second factory, following Aquarelle Samudra, to receive this prestigious recognition, which bears testimony to the daily commitment of our teams towards sustainable development.”
