Development of ethical and ecological materials

What is sustainability? Wellact is a project that Kowa has sincerely considered and launched as one answer. Well- (being) - Aiming for a state of intrinsic value of the happiness to the world for people - "Act" - Acting positively –
With that in mind, we have this idea. I gave it a name.The history of Kowa, which started as a cotton wholesaler, is also the history of cotton. Now, what we are looking at is even wider.We will develop ethical and sustainable materials in sympathy with the SDGs, which are environmental goals on a global scale. For example, organic cotton made by cultivation that does not damage the soil, highly biodegradable Japanese paper and cellulose fibers, recycled synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, etc.
Two "1" s are hidden in the middle of we11act. This is an irreplaceable one for each of us, and also one for Mother Earth. The desire to be close to these two only ones is included.To better tomorrow for people and the earth."We will act" We start working with wellact.

Organic cotton

The material that symbolizes wellact's efforts is organic cotton. Organic cotton is cotton grown organically on farmland that has not used environmentally harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers for more than 3 years. Wellact's organic cotton is made from 100% GOTS certified cotton, the world standard for organic textiles. And this certification shows that it meets strict standards for environmental consideration and social responsibility. However, Kowa's consideration for the environment is not new. Kowa acquired GOTS certification in 2003, the first time in Japan.In addition to developing the towel brand "Tenerita" using organic cotton for more than 10 years, in recent years we have opened an organic cotton field in India and joined BCI, which is an international standard for cotton along with GOTS and OCS. We are expanding the range of activities.

Furthermore, as part of wellact, Kowa started its own "Peace India Cotton" in 2014 in response to the "Peace India Project" called by ACE (an international NGO working on the elimination and prevention of child labor). Through organic farming of cotton, we are cooperating to support the independence of poor families in India. In this way, Kowa not only considers the environment centered on organic cotton cultivation, but also makes sustainable efforts that lead to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) that seek to eliminate poverty and inequality between people and the country.

Mix Material

One of wellact's important efforts is to develop a mixed material made by blending organic cotton, which has less impact on the environment, and different materials. The purpose is to broaden the concept of eco by not being too caught up in 100% organic cotton, and as a result, to deliver ecological materials to the lifestyles of more people. The core is textiles with a rich texture that is a blend of organic cotton and natural fibers such as silk and linen. In addition to the new addition of "Washi", which is unique to Japan. We also have a lineup of products that combine functional yarns with stretchability to achieve a flexible balance between ecological and practical use.

Recycling Polyester＆Nylon

Even in the development of materials other than natural fibers, Kowa values being ecological. The symbol is wellact's recycled polyester and nylon. Petroleum, the raw material for polyester and nylon, is a limited natural resource. At wellact, we have a lineup of polyester and nylon made by reusing used PET bottles and industrial waste without using such oil. As a result, not only the consumption of petroleum itself, but also the energy consumption and CO2 emissions can be reduced compared to the case of making from petroleum. Those that have finished their role once will change their appearance and be used again. Playing a part in such a sound material-cycle society is also an important role of wellact.

Cellulose

Recycled fibers include "vegetable" made from recycled wood pulp and cotton, and natural materials such as silk in addition to "chemical" typified by recycled polyester and recycled nylon.<br />At wellact, we are also developing recycled fibers made from such natural materials. The main lineup includes lyocell made from eucalyptus wood, which has less impact on the environment, cupra derived from cotton, and recycled silk fiber.