CORPORATE FASHION - MADE WITH A PURPOSE
SUSTAINABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY IS A KEY PRIORITY AT NIMBUS.
At Nimbus Nordic A/S we continuously take new steps to strengthen our practices and become even better at what we do.
One of our key priorities is to design and create products with sustainability in mind. We aim at minimizing the impact on the environment and protecting the well-being of future generations.
In order for us to work with our CSR and sustainability responsibilities, we are very selective about who we cooperate with. By using audits and assessment tools to select and monitor factories and by favouring fewer partners over many, we build long-lasting and close partnerships with our suppliers.
”We strive to make a positive difference in the fight for a more sustainable clothing industry.”
LARS HAMMER Founder & CEO
INSPIRATION & APPROACH
ACHIEVEMENTS
CERTIFICATIONS & STANDARDS
OEKO-TEX®
ORGANIC COTTON
OCS
RECYCLED FABRIC GRS
SUGENRO®
SORONA® AURA
BIONIC FINISH® ECO
HEIQ FRESH SPANO
DOWN INSULATION
RECYCLABLE POLYBAGS
AMFORI & SMETA
INSPIRATION & APPROACH
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
At Nimbus we acknowledge that we have a responsibility for people and the planet. Our approach to sustainability, responsibility and ethics is inspired by the UN global sustainability goals, as they provide useful guidance and shared blueprint - for peace and prosperity, for people and the planet, now and in the future.
We focus mainly on 4 specific goals - the ones we believe we can affect most directly through our behaviour and choices in our everyday business.
GOALS OF MAIN FOCUS AND INFLUENCE AT NIMBUS
DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Goal 8 is about promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. As a workplace, Nimbus is characterised by a sense of community, trust and good working conditions. Externally, we underline the importance of promoting decent working conditions throughout the supply chain by collaborating with Amfori and SMETA audited factories and by joining the UN Global Compact. These frameworks demand that production is carried out in a responsible way that ensures workers’ rights, health and safety.
RESPONSIBLE
Goal 12 is about ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. It is deeply rooted in the Nimbus dna to offer timeless, welldesigned, high quality products which will last longer and thereby support the Slow Fashion principle. We strive to select the best raw materials so our products can be long-lasting, we use recycled fabrics for an increasing number of styles, and we care to avoid the use of chemicals during production and in the finished products. Furthermore, we are proud to be able to say that our products comply with a list of recognized certifications and standards.
CLIMATE ACTION
Goal 13 intends to take urgent action in order to combat climate change and its impacts. At Nimbus we perceive this goal as an overall guideline to our sustanability focus. The sustainability initiatives we take throughout our supply chain, from sourcing to production, transportation and marketing, are based on a general respect for our climate and an aspiration to care for it.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS 17
Goal 17 is about strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development. Our suppliers are our most important partners, and their approach and willingness to support our policies are crucial to a sustainable collaboration. 93% of our styles are produced on Amfori audited factories, we also use SMETA audits, and we work with trusted partners like Qima, Intertek and SGS, which function as global benchmark for quality and integrity. Furthermore, our product accreditations are a blueprint and statement of our commitment to a sustainable direction.
ACHIEVEMENTS
SOURCING
& PRODUCTION
UN GLOBAL COMPACT
Corporate sustainability starts with a company’s value system and a principles-based approach to doing business. We join the UN Global Compact, a principle-based framework in the areas of human rights, labor, the envi ronment and anti-corruption. Incorporating its Ten Principles affects the way we work with our suppliers as well as internally.
85% OF OUR LIGHT PRODUCTS* ARE PRODUCED AT AN OEKO-TEX® CERTIFIED FACTORY.
*Polos, shirts and t-shirts
93%
OF OUR STYLES ARE PRODUCED ON AMFORI AUDITED FACTORIES.
100%
OF OUR SUPPLIERS HAVE SIGNED OUR CODE OF CONDUCT AND ARE THEREFORE COMITTED TO PRODUCE ACCORDING TO IT.
OUR SUPPLIERS
We collaborate closely with our suppliers, also when it comes to sustainability. We have a limited number of suppliers in a limited number of countries, so that we can build long-term relationships, closely monitor our supply chain, and have an ongoing, open and transparent dialogue.
NO LIVE PLUCKING
We take the ethical aspect of using down seriously, by assuring that our suppliers guarantee No Live Plucking.
SLOW FASHION
Modern day Slow Fashion encourages consumers to buy less garments in higher quality, less often. At Nimbus, offering quality products is a corner stone in our DNA.
We strongly believe that well-designed products in a high quality, will not only last longer, but they will also be valued more and be taken better care of.
OF ALL COTTON PRODUCTS WE SELL ARE MADE OF ORGANIC COTTON. ONLY 10% IN 2020. 90%
94%
OF ALL LIGHT PRODUCTS WE SELL ARE OEKO-TEX CERTIFIED.
100%
OF OUR WATER REPELLENT OUTERWEAR HAS BIONIC-FINISH®ECO IMPREGNATION.
This water repellent finishing has the advantage of not having any negative effect on breathability, no fluorinated compounds and being formaldehyde free.
37% PACKAGING
OF THE POLYMER USED TO PRODUCE SORONA® AURA INSULATION, IS MADE USING ANNUALLY RENEWABLE PLANT-BASED INGREDIENTS.
We have chosen Sorona®Aura as our top of the line material for lightweight, breathable and warmth features in most of our jackets.
OF ALL CARDBORDBOXES WE RECIEVE WE REUSE 93%
RECYCLABLE POLYBAGS
Our polybags used for packaging can be recycled. This is illustrated by the Mobius loop logo printed on the bags.
OF OUR FREIGHT IS BY SEA
OUR HANGERS ARE MADE FROM 100%
RECYCLED MATERIAL
70% 85%
OF OUR OFFICE WASTE IS SENT FOR RECYCLING
REDUCTION OF PRINTED CATALOGUES COMPARED TO 2020
MARKETING & OFFICE
A WORK IN PROGRESS
Having a sustainable approach is a constant work in progress. We know that we cannot do everything, but we can do something, and we can strive to always be open to new initiatives.
CERTIFICATIONS & STANDARDS
PRODUCT, PEOPLE & PLANET
We strive to support sustainability and to practice an ethical approach throughout our supply chain. The effect covers several levels - Product, People and Planet.
We signal and validate our efforts and achievements by using recognized logos, as well as own symbols, and by working with trusted partners, which function as global benchmark for quality and integrity.
SUSTAINABILITY ON OUR PRODUCTS PRODUCT
OEKO-TEX®
STANDARD 100 BY OEKO-TEX® IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST-KNOWN LABELS FOR TEXTILES TESTED FOR HARMFUL SUBSTANCES. IT STANDS FOR CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE AND HIGH PRODUCT SAFETY.
Nimbus offers a wide range of products that is fully OEKO-TEX® certified.
Clothing manufactured under the principles of OEKO-TEX® meets requirements for pH value and content of harmful substances, such as pesticides and heavy metals.
ORGANIC COTTON
ORGANIC COTTON IS COTTON GROWN WITHOUT THE USE OF SYNTHETIC PESTICIDES, ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZER AND OTHER TOXIC CHEMICALS. SUSTAINABILITY
The use of organic cotton leads to improved soil condition, lower greenhouse gas emissions, stronger biodiversity and better health among the cotton growers.
By law, organic cotton plants cannot come from genetically engineered seeds, and strict regulations dictate how cotton must be grown to be certified organic.
We are currently working to improve our organic labelling, so our products comply with an even better, stricter, and more comprehensive standard called OCS.
OCS - ORGANIC CONTENT STANDARD
THE OCS STANDARD IS USED TO VERIFY ORGANICALLY GROWN RAW MATERIALS FROM SOURCE TO FINAL PRODUCT.
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard (OCS) contain organically grown cotton that has been independently verified at each stage of the supply chain, from source to final product.
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard 100 (OCS 100) contain at least 95% certified organically grown cotton.
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard Blended (OCS Blended) products contain between 5-94% certified organically grown cotton
Organic cotton is produced and certified to organic agricultural standards, which require practices to sustain ecosystems.
RECYCLED FABRIC
RECYCLED FABRIC USES MAINLY PLASTIC BOTTLES, PACKAGING, FISHING NETS OR TEXTILE WASTE AS ITS RAW MATERIAL.
Fabric made from recycled components reduces the use of virgin materials and is a step towards increased circularity.
By autumn 2021, our commitment to creating outerwear with sustainable features reached next level when introducing our Abington jacket in 100% recycled polyester twill and with a 100% Sorona® Aura padding.
In the autumn 2022 we launched Northdale, which is also made in 100% Recycled polyester twill and with a water repellency finish; Bionic Finish® ECO.
Other products made of recycled polyester, or of other recycled fabric, include our AW22 products; Lindenwood, Benton and Bloomsdale, as well as our SS23 News; Hudson, Maine, Bleecker and Timberlake.
Since then, we have expanded our use of recycled fabrics, not only by actively choosing them for new styles but also by continuously working to transition existing styles to recycled materials whenever possible.
GRS - GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD
THE GLOBAL RECYCLED STANDARD (GRS) IS A FULL PRODUCT STANDARD TO VERIFY AND TRACK RECYCLED RAW MATERIALS THROUGH THE SUPPLY CHAIN.
Nimbus became GRS-certified in 2024, and we are working towards GRS-certifying all our styles with recycled materials.
Products certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) contain recycled material that has been verified at each stage of the supply chain, from the source to the final product. In addition, facilities from the source to final supplier have met social, environmental, and chemical requirements.
We are continuously working to improve our recycled fabric labelling to meet the stricter requirements of GRS certification, ensuring higher transparency and sustainability throughout the supply chain.
SUGENRO®
SUGENRO® IS A RECYCLED THERMAL INSULATION WADDING.
MADE WITH INSULATION
GRS approved Sugenro® fiber is made from recycled polyester and gives a padding which guarantees warmth and breathability, while being environmentally friendly.
MAINE
SORONA® AURA
SORONA® AURA FIBER IS AN ECO-EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE FIBER. IT IS PARTIALLY PLANT-BASED AND CAN BE RECYCLED IN ANY NORMAL POLYESTER RECYCLING STREAM .
At Nimbus we use top of the line materials in our products, and with Sorona® Aura we offer lightweight, breathable and warmth features with sustainability in mind.
Sorona® is produced with PDO, a high-performance polymer and building block with endlessly versatile potential, and using a biological process. 37% of the polymer is made using annually renewable plant-based ingredients. The revolutionary Bio-PDO compound turns a formerly chemical process into an eco-efficient biological one.
The result is Sorona® - a polymer that can be made into a high performance fiber.
Harvesting crops
Extracting sugar or glucose from the crops
HOW IT'S MADE
TPA is added to the Bio-PDO, creating a molecular bond
Microorganisms are added to the glucose to begin a fermentation process
Fermentation replaces chemical synthesis, producing PDO in a natural way.
BIONIC-FINISH® ECO
BIONIC-FINISH® ECO REPRESENTS AN ECOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGY AND UNIQUE NON-HALOGENATED, APEO-FREE, FLUORINE-FREE FORMULATIONS FOR PERMANENT WATER REPELLENT FINISHING.
BIONIC-FINISH®ECO offers a variety of consumer-friendly features such as rejecting water and aqueous soiling substances, being washable and suitable for all fiber types. It has the advantage of not having any negative effect on breathability, no fluorinated compounds and being formaldehyde free.
BIONIC-FINISH® - Registered Trademark of RUDOLF GmbH
HEIQ FRESH
HEIQ FRESH IS A FAMILY OF SILVER-FREE ODOR CONTROL TEXTILE TECHNOLOGIES WITH INGREDIENTS THAT ARE EITHER BIO-BASED OR MINERAL-BASED.
Heiq Fresh products tackle the problem of smells on textiles effectively by adsorbing VOC (Volatile Organic Compound or the “smelly molecules”).
Heiq Fresh has no impact on fabric properties such as breath-ability, color, hand feel or wicking and we have introduced this technology on our Freemont and Peyton t-shirts with more styles to follow.
Furthermore, Heiq Fresh is Bluesign submitted, certifying it is safe for the environment, workers, and customers. The Bluesign certification applies to chemicals, processes, materials, and products.
FREEMONT
SPANO
THE SPANO "ADVANCED COTTON" TECHNOLOGY TAKES NON-IRON A STEP FURTHER AND MEANS THAT WE CAN OFFER OEKO-TEX® CERTIFIED FABRICS FOR OUR NON-IRON SHIRTS.
For our non-iron shirts we use Spano “Advanced Cotton” technology. Instead of using conventional methods, applying a chemical onto the finished product, we have chosen this Inside Cross Linking technology, which allows to influence the core of the textile fibers from inside themselves. This results in OEKO-TEX®-certified fabrics and non-iron shirts with extremely high recovery and guaranteed flattening after wash.
DOWN INSULATION
DOWN IS WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE THE BEST INSULATOR, AND AT NIMBUS WE CONTINUALLY AIM TO OFFER A COLLECTION OF HIGH-QUALITY STYLES FROM LEADING MATERIALS.
Because down feathers are both biodegradable and recyclable, there are few environmental risks associated with their use. Instead, the key sustainability concerns related to down are around animal welfare. By assuring that our suppliers guarantee No Live Plucking, we take the ethical aspect of using down seriously.
DOWN AND FEATHERS ARE NEVER REMOVED FROM LIVE DUCKS
RECYCLABLE POLYBAGS
POLYBAGS USED FOR PACKAGING CAN BE RECYCLED, AND THIS IS ILLUSTRATED BY THE MOBIUS LOOP LOGO PRINTED ON THE BAGS.
Each Nimbus product we sell is packed in a polybag at the factory and arrives at our warehouse in cartons. The polybag protects the product from becoming dirty or damaged at the factory, during transit to Denmark and while the product is stored, processed and packed in our warehouse.
Despite the functionality of polybags, they are often perceived as waste. At Nimbus we support every little step towards being more sustainable, so polybags produced since autumn 2019 has the Mobius loop logo printed on one side. This logo is the officially recognised international icon for products capable of being recycled. We have taken this action to make the consumer aware that the bag is recyclable and therefore encouraged to sort the bag for recycling.
AMFORI & SMETA
NIMBUS COLLABORATE WITH AMFORI AND SMETA AUDITED FACTORIES TO PROMOTE AND VERIFY RESPONSIBLE, ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES.
As a member of Amfori, we commit to its important mission of enhancing human prosperity, use natural resources responsibly and drive open trade globally.
Through its mission, Amfori is helping its members work towards the fulfilment of the UN Sustainability Development Goals. More than 90% of our styles are produced on Amfori audited factories.
SMETA, or Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit, is managed by SEDEX and is an audit, which helps companies understand standards of labour, health and safety, environmental performance, and ethics within own operations or at a supplier site.
It is designed to help protect workers from unsafe conditions, overwork, discrimination, low pay and forced labour, and it increases visibility and gives confidence that we are working with sustainable suppliers.
THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT
THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT IS A PRINCIPLE-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR BUSINESSES, STATING TEN PRINCIPLES IN THE AREAS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, LABOR, THE ENVIRONMENT AND ANTI-CORRUPTION.
This non-binding UN pact encourages businesses and firms worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation.
At Nimbus we continually strive to make a positive difference to our social environment and economic responsibilities.
An important way of doing this is by joining this UN-led initiative, which promotes activities that contribute to sustainable development goals to create a better world.
QUALITY CONTROL
WE MAKE SURE TO MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS BY WORKING WITH TRUSTED PARTNERS, WHICH FUNCTION AS GLOBAL BENCHMARK FOR QUALITY AND INTEGRITY.
Quality is essential for our brand and by simultaneously encouraging classic designs over innovative designs and simplifying future collections, we extend the life of our range and attempt to follow the philosophy of Slow Fashion.
As quality has our highest priority, all our productions are inspected locally by our own team or by third party agencies, before shipped from production sites. In China, we have our own facilities, housing our loyal and valued colleagues, who constantly monitor the product quality and factory performances.
Products that are made with a performance fabric/membrane, adding features like Water Resistance or Breathability, are tested to make sure they meet the demands. Such styles are tested by third party laboratories according to international standards.
QIMA represents a global leading quality control and compliance service provider, who secures, manage and optimize the quality and compliance of our products and suppliers. All auditors and inspectors of QIMA are managed by quality control and auditing specialists to ensure compliance with international standards.
Intertek delivers Total Quality Assurance solutions for textile products. Their comprehensive services enable us to ensure quality and safety with precision. At Nimbus we mainly use Intertek solutions for fabric and chemical testing.
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. At Nimbus we use the services from SGS for both fabric-testing and third party inspections on productions.
CODE OF CONDUCT
OUR CODE OF CONDUCT LAYS OUT OUR PRINCIPLES, STANDARDS, AND THE MORAL AND ETHICAL EXPECTATIONS THAT OUR EMPLOYEES AND THIRD PARTIES ARE HELD TO AS THEY INTERACT WITH OUR ORGANISATION.
It is our defined set of rules, principles, values, employee expectations, behaviours and relationships that we consider important and that summarize our commitment to sustainability.
We strive to make a positive difference to our social, environmental and economic responsibilities.
Nimbus will support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
10 6 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 TO FOLLOW
Nimbus will make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Nimbus will abolish discrimination in relation to work and employment conditions.
Nimbus will support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
Nimbus will uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
Nimbus supports the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
Nimbus will support initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
Nimbus will encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Nimbus will support the effective abolition of child labour.
Nimbus will work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
OUR GOALS
MORE RECYCLED FABRICS
We are actively expanding our use of recycled fabrics, not only by choosing them for new styles but also by continuously transitioning existing styles to recycled materials whenever possible.
Additionally, we are continuously improving our recycled fabric labeling to meet the stricter requirements of GRS certification, ensuring greater transparency and sustainability throughout the supply chain.
MORE ORGANIC COTTON AND OCS
As an important part of our strategy, we are in the process of developing our current collection to consist of a wider range of products produced from certified organic cotton.
Besides that, many of our products marked “Organic Cotton” are currently changing into OCS. The OCS certification is an even better, stricter, and more comprehensive standard, as it verifies organically grown raw materials all the way from the farm to final product.
NEW GOALS AHEAD
This journal shows the steps we are taking at Nimbus to improve our sustainability approach and global footprint, and it describes our commitment to making change happen. Although we do something, we acknowledge that more could be done, and we should always keep our eyes open for new sustainability initiatives in an industry characterized by ever-changing innovation. We believe that with our mindset aimed at making deliberate choices in who we work with, how we work and what materials we use, we take small but important steps towards becoming a more sustainable business.
