We work to identify, from the product design phase, solutions applicable to all our collections. Some collections are innovation laboratories, such as those experimented with the Re-up upcycling project and with OVS Cotone Italiano.
RAW MATERIALS AND TRACEABILITY
For textile production OVS mostly uses raw materials of natural origin, mainly cotton - which represents the most widely used raw material - and of synthetic origin such as polyester and polyamide, as shown in the table below.
The main interventions on the material sourcing strategy concern the most used fibers in our collections: cotton, polyester, and cellulosic materials, with the goal of having 85% lower-impact chain of custody materials by 2026*.
*% raw materials certified according to GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS standards, physical BCI chain of custody cotton, Regenagri cotton, Cotton Made in Africa, Lenzing branded cellulosic materials.
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Raw material inflows for textile production
2025 2024 ton % of total ton % of total Natural origin fibers 24.145 68% 23.645 68% Cotton 23.465 66% 23.019 67% of which recycled cotton 344 1% 682 3% of which organic cotton 7.488 32% 5.440 24% of whichCotton Made in Africa 2.933 12% 0 -% of which BCI Physical 859 4% 0 -% of which BCI Mass Balance 9.138 39% 15.282 66% Wools and Cashmere 293 1% 221 1% of which recycled 30 10% 57 26% Flax 357 1% 365 2% of which with certifications 279 78% 0 -% of which recycled 4 1% 16 4% Other materials of natural origin 30 -% 40 -% Materials of synthetic origin 11.598 32% 10.942 32% Polyester 6.314 18% 6.094 18% of which recycled 3.199 51% 2.172 36% Polyamide 891 2% 818 2% of which recycled 265 30% 189 23% Elastane 341 1% 331 1% Viscose and other MMCF 1.890 5% 1.747 5% of which certified viscose and other cellulosic materials 1.249 66% 1.114 64% Other materials 2.162 6% 0 -% Total 35.744 100% 34.587 100% For details on raw material sourcing, see the 2025 Sustainability Report.
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Cotton
Cotton is the most widely used fibre in OVS collections, which is why over the years OVS has committed to improving the sourcing of this material.
ORGANIC COTTON
To ensure the presence of recycled raw materials in the product, OVS uses certifications according to GOTS and OCS standards.COTTON MADE IN AFRICA®
Social responsibility
Farming involves smallholders, guaranteeing safe and decent work.Traceability
The HIP (Hard Identity Preserved) system guarantees that the fibre, yarn and product contain exclusively Cotton Made in Africa.Responsible production
Farming follows a standard that regulates land and water use and preserves biodiversity.BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE
Better Cotton is the world's leading cotton sustainability initiative. Better Cotton Farmers use water efficiently, care for soil health and natural habitats, reduce the use of the most harmful chemicals and respect workers' rights and well-being. Better Cotton's mission is to help cotton communities thrive while protecting and restoring the environment.Among other activities, Better Cotton trains cotton farmers around the world on how to grow cotton in their environment and context. Better Cotton is sourced via a chain of custody system called "mass balance". This means that Better Cotton is not physically traceable to end products, however, Better Cotton Farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton. Mass balance is a volume tracking system that allows Better Cotton to be substituted or mixed with conventional cotton along the supply chain, while ensuring that the amount of Better Cotton sold never exceeds the amount of Better Cotton purchased.
Click here to learn more. -
Synthetic fibres
Polyester is the most widely used synthetic fibre in OVS collections, followed by polyamide. Recycled synthetic raw materials ensure fabric performance while reducing the use of virgin raw materials.
To guarantee the presence of recycled raw materials in the product, OVS uses GRS and RCS certifications.
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Cellulosic fibers
Fibres used in the clothing sector are obtained from cellulose extracted from tree wood; the main ones are viscose, modal, and lyocell.
In OVS collections, Lenzing™ branded viscose - LENZING™ ECOVERO™, TENCEL™ Modal, TENCEL™ Lyocell - comes from controlled and traceable supply chains.
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Animal origin fibers
The use of animal-derived materials is residual compared to the entire OVS collection.
PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS
In 2025, OVS obtained certifications to GOTS, OCS, RCS, and GRS standards, which guarantee recycled and organic material content in products, strengthen the production supply chain traceability strategy along the entire value chain, and improve transparency in communication with customers.
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GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard
International standard defining very strict environmental and social criteria that apply to all stages of production:
Responsible production
GOTS requires the use of organic fibers from certified organic agriculture, ensuring that harmful synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not used.
It also prohibits toxic chemicals harmful to health or the environment and mandates wastewater treatment to minimize environmental impact.Chain of Custody
The certification guarantees organic content: from farm to final product. -
OCS - Organic Content Standard
Globally recognized Textile Exchange standard for supply chain traceability and organic fiber cultivation practices.
Verified organic content
Only material from certified organic farms (according to one of the IFOAM standards).Chain of Custody
Certification guarantees that the identity of the organic content is maintained: from farm to final product.Credible certification
Every stage of the supply chain is verified by a third-party organization. -
RCS - Recycled Content Standard
Globally recognized Textile Exchange standard.
Verified recycled material
Materials are verified to meet the ISO definition of recycled. Both pre-consumer and post-consumer materials are accepted.Chain of custody
From the recycler to the final product, the recycled material content is guaranteed.Credible certification
Every stage of the supply chain is verified by a third-party organization. -
GRS - Global Recycling Standard
Globally recognized Textile Exchange standard.
Verified recycled material
Materials are verified to meet the ISO definition of recycled. Both pre-consumer and post-consumer materials are accepted.Responsible production
The use of potentially harmful chemicals is not permitted on GRS products.Chain of custody
From the recycler to the final product, the recycled material content is guaranteed.Credible certification
Every stage of the supply chain is verified by a third-party organization.
THE SAFETY OF OUR GARMENTS
All our garments are chemically tested to ensure they comply with the limits we have defined for the use of potentially hazardous substances, in accordance with the European regulation 1907/2006 EU (REACH). Download our Restricted Substance List (RSL)Â to find out more.
In addition, the most relevant physical performances (e.g. home washing tests) for the quality of the final product are also tested.
OVS has been OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Class I and Class II) certified for over 25 years.
A reference standard with over 21,000 manufacturers, brands, and retailers in more than 100 countries, OEKO-TEX® is based on the principles of safety, transparency, and trust in the textile industry, supported by verified scientific evidence. The Oeko-Tex 100 standard guarantees the safety of garments, from the yarn, fabric, and accessories, right through to the finished product.
PACKAGING
OVS has implemented a comprehensive lifecycle management program for its logistics packaging, allowing it to be reused multiple times in distribution processes after use, creating value and reducing waste. The packaging design is optimized to reduce paper waste during production. At our Pontenure warehouse, we have also implemented a process to reuse wooden transportation pallets. 100% of the polybags used for transport from production countries and the plastic hangers are made from recycled materials. Furthermore, the Pontenure logistics center has implemented a recovery program for boxes and pallets, allowing them to be reused.
OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG)
Clean water and sanitation
To combat the growing scarcity of potable water, a growing problem due to the climate crisis, we prioritise more virtuous materials with reduced water consumption, promote water conservation practices in manufacturing processes, innovate in denim production and encourage and support our suppliers in strict wastewater management.
Responsible consumption and production
We are committed to reducing the impact of our products throughout their life cycle, through constant research into innovative solutions in terms of processes and raw materials, with the aim of protecting and preserving the environment. Where possible, we endorse the use of natural products grown using more sustainable methods, such as organic cotton and Better Cotton, we use recycled materials, such as reclaimed polyester, and we ensure that natural cosystems are respected in the production of our garments and packaging, such as viscose and FSC paper.
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