Erca, an Italian chemical company “with a responsible DNA,” Patagonia and YKK have successfully applied Erca’s Revecol, a sustainable, innovative chemical agent, to YKK’s dyeing processes at its manufacturing sites in Vietnam. Revecol transforms common waste materials like spent vegetable cooking oil into a certified, safe, high-performance textile chemical…
Performance Days – Innovation Zone 20-21 March
Booth IN09
REVECOL® by ERCA Textile Chemical Solutions represents a big step toward circularity in textiles and will land at Performance Days in the InnovationZone, the one dedicated to real innovators, and where the main subject is sport sustainable performance 360 degrees.
REVECOL® by ERCA TCS stands for a new generation of innovative, responsible, competitive, certified, high performing textile chemicals auxiliaries made from an 100% Made in Italy technological, pioneering and end-to-end certified production process able to transform critical and abundant waste material into an amazing range of auxiliaries that f it any kind of textile fibres, both virgin and recycled.
The current range includes 18 new generation chemical auxiliaries, and for all of them REVECOL® got the most important certifications: GRS, RCS, ZDHC Chemical Gateway, bluesign® and GOTS. ERCA is the first company in the world to have GRS certified chemical products, opening the door to responsible chemical auxiliaries. In particular, with the support and analysis of bluesign® Academy ERCA TCS is creating, where possible, the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) for some REVECOL ® products, certifying the reduction of CO2 emissions compared to the use of conventional chemistry. From the first results of this work, we see a CO2 reduction that goes from 30% to 72% !
REVECOL® by ERCA TCS has been launched in occasion of last ITMA, where it has been also announced the synergy between ERCA TCS’S REVECOL ®, YKK and Patagonia ® that lead to a successful implementation.
Always searching for new sustainable innovations, REVECOL® caught the attention of Patagonia®. Driven by the goal to utilize non-extractive chemistry in their supply chain wherever possible, the brand teamed up with ERCA TCS and trim supplier YKK to deploy REVECOL®. Matt Swartz, Patagonia®’s Color and Material Quality Manager, introduced the ERCA TCS technology to YKK, asking that they explore using it in their dyeing operations.
Matt Swartz, Patagonia® Color and Material Quality Manager
“We saw an opportunity to build a partnership with an innovator, ERCA TCS, who was pushing the boundaries of sustainability and match them with an existing partner, YKK, that consistently delivers high caliber, quality goods and services. This has proven to be a dream team,” says Matt Swartz of Patagonia®.
“Through thoughtful consideration we designed our approach and conversion to REVECOL® LV-TS to have an outsized impact from the start. The real success is seeing this go beyond Patagonia® products and spread across supply chain partners, brands and consumers. This is one domino to fall in how we do business to save our home planet.”
REVECOL® LV-TS has a carbon footprint that is 72% lower* than the more conventional chemical auxiliaries produced by ERCA TCS.
“One of the most rewarding achievements is not only to see that REVECOL® can really make a difference, but that leading companies are teaming up with us to utilize it in products that bring the message of real sustainability to the end consumer”, says Fabio Locatelli, ERCA TCS CEO and ERCA GROUP stakeholder.
Fabio Locatelli, ERCA TCS CEO and ERCA GROUP stakeholder
"We, at ERCA TCS, a company completely dedicated to green chemical solutions for textiles, are always looking for innovation through the development of products that are increasingly high-performing, competitive and sustainable at the same time. REVECOL® is the perfect example of this and it represents the " so far missing piece" for the production of textile materials that enable the approach to an increasingly responsible and certified supply chain without any compromise in performance."
Last, but not least, this great effort in the search for profoundly innovative and increasingly low impact production processes has earned ERCA the prestigious European Responsible Care® Award 2023, awarded by Cefic-the European Chemical Industry Council, the largest European chemical industry association, founded in 1972. The award recognizes ERCA TCS' commitment, through the REVECOL® range, to climate neutrality, circularity and the transition towards safe and sustainable chemicals. And it reiterates that the REVECOL® range paves the way for a new generation of chemical auxiliaries capable of transforming critical waste, massively present in the environment, into a range of certified, high-performance, safe and competitive products designed for textiles and suitable for any fibre, with a strong focus on sustainability and carbon neutrality, as confirmed by analyses and certifications.
The REVECOL® revolution continues: stay in touch for next challenges
For further information please contact:
C.L.A.S.S. marketing@classecohub.org
ERCA GROUP: it has six plants in three macro-regions: Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The ERCA Group produces chemical specialties and auxiliaries with an approach of responsible innovation, and its production covers several markets: textile, cosmetics, polyurethanes, concrete. It has a turnover of 150 million euros and employs 350 people worldwide, 100 of whom are in the sole Grassobbio plant where REVECOL® by ERCA TCS is produced.
ERCA Textile Chemical Solutions: an Italian company with a global reference in the supply of responsible chemical products for the textile industry. Thanks to the vision that leads to continuous investments in people, research, and development, ERCA TCS advances ethical and responsible circular innovation of the so-called Green Chemistry. Indeed, the proposals are applicable to a wide range of textile products, proving to be the missing element to achieve 360-degree in sustainability. ERCA TCS has the exclusive rights to the REVECOL® brand, the revolutionary range of 100% Made in Italy chemical auxiliaries produced thanks to an upcycling process and indeed a safe, certified, competitive, high-performance range designed for the entire textile industry. In November 2022 REVECOL® by TCS has won the Responsible Care® Award from Federchimica, the Italian chemical federation. In 2023 ERCA TCS won the prestigious prize European Responsible Care ® Award by Cefic the European Council of Chemical industries.
REVECOL® is an exclusive product and brand of ERCA TCS, an Italian company that is a global reference point in responsible chemical products for the textile industry. REVECOL® by ERCA TCS is a revolutionary innovation 100% Made in Italy that uses critical waste materials and transforms them into a complete line of next-generation chemical auxiliaries that are safe, certified, competitive, high-performance, and designed for the entire textile industry. A complete range of products usable on every type of fiber, both virgin and recycled. REVECOL® products are certified GRS, RCS, ZDHC, bluesign®, and GOTS.. In November 2022 REVECOL® by TCS has won the Responsible Care® Award from Federchimica, the Italian chemical federation. It has been included in BAT (Best Available techniques ) from European Community. In 2023 ERCA TCS won the prestigious prize European Responsible Care ® Award by Cefic the European Council of Chemical industries
REVECOL® by ERCA TCS is a partner of C.L.A.S.S. (Creativity Lifestyle and Sustainable Synergy), the international eco-hub based in Milan since 2007, supporting a new generation of fashion where the fusion of design, innovation, communication, and responsibility shapes a conscious and competitive business capable of playing both an economic and social role. C.L.A.S.S. supports the entire supply chain to trigger CHANGE in the system by activating VALUES that speak clearly to the contemporary consumer. C.L.A.S.S. knows that PERFECTION is not important, but that every single step in the right direction counts.
About Patagonia®
We’re in business to save our home planet. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia® is an outdoor apparel company based in Ventura, California. As a certified B Corporation and a founding member of 1% for the Planet, the company is recognized internationally for its product quality and environmental activism, as well as its contributions of nearly $200 million to environmental organizations. Its unique ownership structure reflects that Earth is its only shareholder: Profits not reinvested back into the business are paid as dividends to protect the planet.
About YKK
YKK solves the most complex fastening and attaching challenges. Since the company’s founding in Tokyo in 1934, YKK has continuously set industry standards for quality, innovation, and sustainability in the production of zippers, plastic hardware, hook and loop fasteners, webbing tapes, and snap and buttons. YKK’s “solutions-first” approach leverages its extensive product and machinery portfolio, engineering expertise, and integrated production, service, and supply chain solutions in 70+ countries/regions, leaving it well-positioned to support the growth of customers of all sizes and adapt to their evolving business needs. Guided by the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® philosophy – no one prospers without rendering benefit to others – YKK aims to contribute to a sustainable society through its products and manufacturing operations and constantly seeks new ways to serve the changing needs of its customers while at the same time investing in its employees and giving back to its communities.
"YKK" and "YKK Little Parts. Big Difference." are registered trademarks or trademarks of YKK CORPORATION in Japan and other countries/regions.