Page 31 - Respond 2020 Magazine

RESPOND
THE MALWEE GROUP CAN FASHION

The Malwee Group is one of the leading companies
in Brazil. It stands out for its pioneering in the field of
sustainability and currently works to achieve the goals BE SUSTAINABLE?
of its 2020 Sustainability Plan. By its performance, in 2018,
it came to rank among the 10 most transparent fashion
brands in the world, according to the Transparency Index
of Fashion (ITM). The Malwee Group has 4 manufacturing
units, 5,500 employees and is present in more than
25,000 stores throughout Brazil.

By Lilian Taise da Silva Beduschi in surrounding communities have been promoting local social
Malwee Group - Sustainability Manager balance. Investments in more efficient industrial processes
has brought recognition to environmental protection.
The fashion world’s value chain offers tangible products and
garments as well as intangible products like identity, self- Malwee Park is an important symbol of environmental
esteem, and a sense of belonging and glamour. However, preservation and social investment. It was conceived of by
this industry has been considered one of the most polluting. the founder of the company in 1978, with 1.5 million square
The transformation processes of raw vegetable, organic and meters of green area, part of the 4.2 million preserved by the
synthetic materials of diverse origins generate significant company. It has more than 35,000 tree species, 16 ponds,
impacts, depleting natural resources and biodiversity and and free culture and leisure activities for the community. It
emitting large loads of waste and greenhouse gases. The receives more than 70,000 visitors per year.
whole impact of this sector is intensified by the stimulation of
Inspired by its past and looking toward the future of the
consumption by desire, not necessity.
business, in 2015 the Malwee Group launched its Strategic
Into this scenario the Malwee Group, with the purpose Sustainability Plan, a set of goals and targets to be achieved
of providing quality service and on-time delivery to its by 2020, resulting from taking a look at sustainability in
customers, has historically taken a responsible position business, products and operations throughout the value chain.
towards people and nature. It is a company guided by this
It was developed with the participation of 110 people in 14
triple bottom line since its foundation.
multidisciplinary committees. Its guidelines establish people
Nowadays, with thousands of suppliers and a presence in as agents of transformation and innovation to support the
more than 25,000 stores in Brazil, Malwee Group typifies the reduction of consumption of natural resources and reduction
economic pillar. Investments in health, education and culture of emissions, effluents and waste. The objectives and goals

of the plan were segmented into macro-stages of the value 70% of scope 1 and 2 of the GHG protocol. The goal of a
chain, of which the following can be highlighted: reduction in waste generation was also achieved before the
deadline, with a 57% reduction of waste generated. This was
Product development: in this macro-stage one of the goals
achieved through the installation of an ooze dryer that reuses
is to quantify the socio-environmental impact of products to
energy from the hot air outlet of the boilers. The reduction of
make measurable advances. Toward this end, the company
electric energy consumption has not yet shown the expected
is conducting a life-cycle analysis of its products, a goal
evolution, even with an investment to exchange 100% of the
that must be achieved within the designated period. In
company’s lights for LED lamps. Likewise, the goal of zero
parallel, in order to raise consumer awareness, two other
residue for landfill and reduction of water consumption are
goals are related to producing products with sustainable
still challenges.
characteristics, either through raw materials or processes
which should have lower environmental impact. Retail and use and post-use: The goals of these stages of
the value chain are related to the consumer interface. The
One of these goals is to achieve sustainability across 10%
great challenge is to deliver the sustainability message to
of the Malwee brand and its derivatives, Malwee Kids and
customers and consumers so as to raise awareness and
Malwee Liberta. This goal was achieved, reaching 16% by the
communication, stimulate the use of their products in a
first half of 2019. The use of Recycled Polyester, cotton wool
timely manner, given the durability of their products. New
from textile waste and neon dyeing with 98% less water were
projects such as launch capsule collections of sustainable
some of the initiatives that made attaining this goal possible.
products as well as the relaunching of jeans with using a
For processes, Malwee set a target of 70% of products laundry process of 5.0 - 99% less water, will allow a greater
being produced with some reduction in environmental awareness of consumers around conscious consumption,
impact, by increasing water reuse and using cotton and their own role in society.
produced with less impact.
The Malwee Group is aware of the challenge that lies ahead
Suppliers: through the verticalisation of the group, weaving, for socio-environmental issues in its value chain, but believes
dyeing, stamping, finishing cutting and sewing, this macro- in its responsible performance and example. It sees its
stage of the chain puts a greater focus on social issues, employees as agents of transformation and its sustainability
especially in sewing processes. The company has a social plan as a milestone in directing its actions towards a more
certification goal and internal auditing program of critical sustainable business. The achievement of the goals of this
service providers to ensure human and labour rights. Currently first stage will leverage new challenges that will allow us to
43% of its service providers are certified and 100% audited. guarantee the future of the next generations. That is the only
way our business will perpetuate.
Industrial processes: Among the established goals, the
reduction of greenhouse emissions was attained with the www.grupomalwee.com.br
28 change of the energy matrix. This resulted in a reduction of 29