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Libeco utilizes artisanal farming techniques, method transparency, and carbon-neutral processing. Certifications they've earned make them a pillar of the circular furnishings community.
About Chez Laurence:
Designer Laurence Carr meets manufacturers and brands who are employing circular, regenerative, and sustainable practices. See how they're seeking to change the end-of-life concept with eco-friendly techniques.
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EarthX is a media company dedicated to inspiring people to care about the planet. We take an omni channel approach to reach audiences of every age through its robust 24/7 linear channel distributed across cable and FAST outlets, along with dynamic, solution oriented short form content on social and digital platforms. EarthX is home to original series, documentaries and snackable content that offer sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. EarthX is the only network that delivers entertaining and inspiring topics that impact and inspire our lives on climate and sustainability.
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Libeco utilizes artisanal farming techniques, method transparency, and carbon-neutral processing. Certifications they've earned make them a pillar of the circular furnishings community.
About Chez Laurence:
Designer Laurence Carr meets manufacturers and brands who are employing circular, regenerative, and sustainable practices. See how they're seeking to change the end-of-life concept with eco-friendly techniques.
EarthX
Love Our Planet.
The Official Network of Earth Day.
About Us:
At EarthX, we believe our planet is a pretty special place. The people, landscapes, and critters are likely unique to the entire universe, so we consider ourselves lucky to be here. We are committed to protecting the environment by inspiring conservation and sustainability, and our programming along with our range of expert hosts support this mission. We’re glad you’re with us.
EarthX is a media company dedicated to inspiring people to care about the planet. We take an omni channel approach to reach audiences of every age through its robust 24/7 linear channel distributed across cable and FAST outlets, along with dynamic, solution oriented short form content on social and digital platforms. EarthX is home to original series, documentaries and snackable content that offer sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. EarthX is the only network that delivers entertaining and inspiring topics that impact and inspire our lives on climate and sustainability.
EarthX Website: https://earthxmedia.com/
Follow Us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthxmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthxmedia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarthXMedia/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earthxmedia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EarthXMedia
How to watch:
United States:
- Spectrum
- AT&T U-verse (1267)
- DIRECTV (267)
- Philo
- FuboTV
- Plex
- Fire TV
#EarthDay #Environment #Sustainability #Ecofriendly #Conservation #EarthX
Category
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TVTranscript
00:00🎵
00:29Libeco is a Belgium weaving company specializing in flax linen,
00:34based in Flanders, the traditional flax growing region of Europe,
00:38that includes Holland, France and Belgium,
00:41and boosts over 160 years of experience in the field.
00:46Sustainability is in Libeco's DNA,
00:49since flax is a naturally eco-friendly material,
00:52given its green farming practices
00:54and the ability to process it in very environmentally mindful ways.
00:59Let's learn more about Libeco and their commitment to circularity,
01:04in discussion with Katherine Richardson,
01:06Libeco's Vice President of Sales.
01:09Hello Katherine, welcome to our series on circular design.
01:13Thank you so much for having me.
01:14I really am looking forward to this discussion.
01:17Thanks for being here.
01:18Could you introduce yourself and Libeco?
01:21My name is Katherine Richardson and I have been working for Libeco
01:26in over 160-year-old Belgian linen weaver.
01:31We are based in Flanders,
01:33which is the traditional flax growing region of Europe,
01:38in a small town in Belgium called Mulebeek.
01:41I work out of our satellite office in New York,
01:43for sales and marketing,
01:45and sell to companies who buy piece goods linen,
01:49linen blends,
01:50and also a finished product line called Libeco Home,
01:54which is products for the home,
01:56sheets, blankets, accessories, etc.
02:00So how did you get into the textile industry?
02:03Textiles has always been a secret passion.
02:06I've always loved home products
02:08and I began my career in retail in home.
02:12Throughout my history,
02:13I've always gravitated towards companies with a sustainable aesthetic,
02:18with a passion for building quality products
02:22and producing something that had people in mind and healthy living.
02:28So for me, this is really a perfect job,
02:32but it does begin with a love of textiles and artisanal production.
02:37Can you tell me about Libeco's commitment to sustainability?
02:40Libeco has always had sustainability as part of its DNA.
02:45It really came from the use of flax.
02:48That's where linen comes from.
02:50It's a naturally ecological product,
02:52if not the most eco-friendly that you can get out there.
02:56The farming practices are very green.
02:58The production processes all can extend in very ecological ways.
03:03And the commitment Libeco has made to those processes
03:06are really what set us apart from many other linen producers.
03:10We went carbon neutral in 2014.
03:14We started a survey for a number of years
03:17that was designed to evaluate our carbon emissions.
03:20We're now completely solar and wind powered.
03:23We changed our vehicles.
03:25Whatever we could not change and reduce,
03:28we now offset.
03:29And we've invested in a healthy cooking stove program in Africa for that reason.
03:36So we are now carbon neutral.
03:39Net zero.
03:39Did you see a need to invest in organic farming?
03:43And did it start with consumer demand?
03:46We did invest in organic production a number of years ago
03:50and did so because our owners saw an opportunity
03:54to explore the future of what linen and flax could and should be,
04:00not because there was first the demand,
04:03which is normally how product development is done.
04:05So interestingly, we worked with a group of farmers in France.
04:10We brought an organic linen product to market, fabrics,
04:14and worked with them for four or five years
04:18to invest and subsidize them so that they could produce that organic product.
04:23It takes quite a long time to get the soil healthy enough
04:26to sustain itself with absolutely no added irrigation
04:30or pesticides or fertilizers for conventionally grown crops in general.
04:35And for flax that already uses such minimal amounts,
04:39it even took that long to invest for organic production.
04:43Plus the process of getting certified.
04:45So we now have a global organic textile standard certified product.
04:49And now we're seeing demand meet that product,
04:53which was not what it was at the beginning.
04:55And we're hoping that we push the consumer demand further
04:59by having a product that's available.
05:01And eventually we hope all of our flax is grown with this organic standard
05:06and not only just the conventional methods,
05:09which are already very, very sustainable and green to start with.
05:13Your artisans use a technique that is passed down over generations
05:18to create your linens.
05:19Tell me more about that.
05:21We have found that artisanal farming methods help sustain an organic product.
05:26The crop rotation, as one example,
05:29is something that is not taught in conventional agricultural schools,
05:33but rather sourced from journals from farmers
05:37that pass down the methods we now employ in this organic farming.
05:42So that's one example.
05:43We also use the same methodologies in weaving
05:47that were used years and years ago.
05:49Now we certainly have updated them.
05:52So in combining available technology and improvements,
05:56we can certainly make a much better product,
05:59a more consistent product that we can manage with computerized systems.
06:03But it's still the same artisanal process.
06:05That's so important.
06:07Transparency is at the forefront of everyone's mind
06:10when it comes to what products are made of.
06:12Where are your raw materials sourced?
06:15Because we are a certified authentic Belgian linen weaver,
06:19we are sourcing all of our flax yarns from Flanders,
06:24which is the region of Holland, France, and Belgium
06:27that flax is grown best in.
06:29It's an indigenous product to that region,
06:32so the best flax fiber comes from that region,
06:34which is why Belgian linen is really renowned.
06:37We have many partnerships throughout the yarn community,
06:40and we do source new yarns, fantasy yarns,
06:43for innovation to our products and for our linen blends.
06:48And those are also sourced in Europe.
06:50But it's a very transparent chain of command.
06:53It's all certified so that we know they're non-toxic,
06:56and it goes along with our Ocotex certification
06:59and our GOT certification
07:01when it is Global Organic Textile Standard certified.
07:04Can you expand on certified renewable sources,
07:07eco-responsible production process,
07:09and environmental standards?
07:11Certifications are really important
07:14and an easy way to communicate
07:16what standards a company adheres to,
07:18but it also can be a method of greenwashing.
07:22And we all have seen that in our sustainability situations.
07:27And I think Ocotex, I mentioned before,
07:29is one of those that we feel strongly about
07:31because it does measure the toxicity with a product
07:36and human contact through saliva,
07:38off-gassing through air, and through skin contact.
07:41So it's one of the ones we feel is most
07:44encompassing and pervasive.
07:45There are certainly many, many others.
07:48We're a Gold Certified Sustainable Furnishings Council member,
07:52which is really something we're proud of.
07:55And it allows for us to be transparent
07:58because our landing page on the SFC website
08:01will tell you all of the certifications that we hold
08:04and our sustainable practices.
08:05So it's a really great resource to see
08:07what companies are doing what
08:09and what plans we have in place to even be better.
08:13Let's talk about water usage and finishes
08:16as those play a role into the sustainability of a product
08:19more than people realize.
08:21What sustainable options does LivEco use for dye
08:25and anything else it applies to its natural fibers?
08:28Laurence, you hit on such a big topic
08:30and I think it's one that really needs more education.
08:33And that is how much water textile production takes.
08:38And certainly for flax, it's not in the growing,
08:41which is significant for other fibers,
08:43even natural fibers like bamboo,
08:45but it is in the processing of textiles.
08:48And water usage is a huge concern for LivEco.
08:51Our company owner has been researching
08:54waterless dyeing for years
08:56and looking at what will happen
08:58with the future of flax production
09:01as it relates to water
09:03and the dearth of water resources as we progress.
09:08It's the new gold.
09:09So water is very much a concern for us
09:12as well as conditions for growing.
09:14As the climate does change and it gets warmer,
09:17the regions in which flax are grown are affected.
09:21And we do talk about that quite a lot,
09:23especially during the growing season.
09:25You'll see all of us concerned with
09:27what's the weather there, what's the weather there.
09:29But there are lots of new technologies coming on board,
09:32like I mentioned, waterless dyeing.
09:34But certainly with lesser chemicals
09:38to be able to dye and finish
09:40where they use less water
09:42or the toxicity is less
09:45because there's less dye stuff used,
09:47like reactive dye is an update to traditional dyeing
09:52that doesn't use heavy metals or azo dyes.
09:55And certainly those are great investments
09:58so that the toxicity of a product
10:00is not affecting us in a negative way.
10:02And we feel so passionate about that
10:04in producing an ecological product
10:07because we are living and working in the same community.
10:11Europeans take for granted
10:12because they all have to be REACH certified.
10:15It's another certification that has to do
10:17with making sure chemicals are stored
10:21and used responsibly
10:23so they're not affecting the humans
10:24that are working with them
10:25or the environment where they're used.
10:28And that's so important for us
10:31living and working in the community
10:34as well as producing a product
10:35that's non-toxic and certified so.
10:38How does LIBECO measure its impact?
10:41Can you share statistics about the measurable effects
10:44of your eco-friendly policies?
10:46Sure.
10:46We have to go through certification every year
10:49for those certifications we do hold.
10:53So it is quite a bit of a process to undertake
10:56and we have an internal control manager
10:58who does monitor those
11:00and we have certificates that we post
11:02and we give to customers
11:03who ask for GOT certificates, Ocotex certification.
11:06Cradle-to-cradle certification is another one
11:09where our loom state is certified cradle-to-cradle.
11:12Also we invest in studies
11:15to see that a yard of fabric
11:18if left outside in open ground
11:20fully disintegrates after six and a half months.
11:23So we know a product is truly natural
11:26with no footprint left whatsoever
11:28after a certain period of time
11:30and we can through independent studies
11:32point to things like that.
11:34We also take pride in the fact
11:35that if you compare
11:37buying the equivalent amount of flax or linen
11:41to that in cotton
11:44you are actually saving about 650,000 gallons of water per year
11:51if you're investing in flax products versus cotton.
11:53Not to say cotton is not also improving
11:55but we feel really great
11:56that linen is already ahead of the curve
11:58as an ecological product.
12:00Beyond sustainability
12:01is there investment and awareness of circularity at Libeco?
12:06Yes, I think the circular economy
12:09and circular production
12:10is becoming more of a buzzword
12:12and an awareness in our home products,
12:15textiles and furniture communities.
12:19Recyclable and renewable resources
12:22are now our number one source.
12:25It's not new materials anymore
12:27it's reclaimed and recycled product.
12:29So we have to look in different ways
12:31in how to recoup what we are already using
12:35or recycle or upcycle.
12:37And at Libeco in particular
12:39we do a lot that's again
12:41just part of the process for generations.
12:45For instance vacuuming up all of the lint
12:47while the weaving or the warping is going on
12:50so that all of that lint is reclaimed
12:54and we can give it back to other industries
12:56to use in paper production,
12:59animal bedding, pet products,
13:01stuffing, insulation, cardboard materials.
13:04There's actually even 20% linen fibers
13:07in our American money
13:09which is really cool.
13:10So it's used in all sorts of industries
13:12and every bit of the plant is used.
13:14Obviously why linen is so ecological
13:17in the first place.
13:18But mills like ours are taking the cut salvages,
13:21the lint, all of those extra materials
13:24and using all of that
13:25by returning it back to our community
13:28to use in other industries.
13:29For us circularity has a center
13:33and that center is about people
13:35and everything that goes on in our community
13:39is about keeping centered on that human part.
13:42What is a circular challenge
13:44you are facing at Libeco?
13:46I think the significance of the water usage
13:52for the future
13:54and our investment in technologies
13:58that will help us with global climate change.
14:03Farming is very much at the heart of our industry
14:06and a small increase in temperature
14:09really does affect our whole industry.
14:12We'll see it more dramatically in other countries
14:14that have more volatile conditions
14:16for growing flax
14:19where an immense amount of rain in one week
14:21and then a drought in another week
14:23really drastically changes the color of the flax
14:26that's harvested.
14:27So the consistency during a growing and redding cycle
14:31is really important
14:32and it's drastically affected by climate change.
14:35Can you speak to your waste management
14:37and waste reduction policies?
14:39Sure.
14:40When we looked at going carbon neutral years ago
14:43we also looked at how we managed our waste
14:46and we are very involved in recycling
14:49and those aspects of taking the pieces of flax
14:54and linen production that we do not use
14:56to go back into the community
14:57are just the first part of it.
14:59Obviously all of our recycling in the plant
15:01goes along with that
15:03but then when we look at our finishing plants
15:05they also are committed to recycling
15:07and water again is a huge piece of this
15:11where we draw the river water out of the local rivers
15:16for our water usage.
15:17It's cleaned and purified
15:19it's used in our production
15:21and our dyeing and bleaching processes
15:23which are all water-based
15:24so there's no toxicity
15:26and then afterwards it's recycled again
15:28cleaned and put back in the river
15:30cleaner than when it was originally taken out
15:33which is a phenomenal advance in our technology
15:36of finishing processes.
15:38When we used to finish flax
15:41or start with the redding cycle
15:42everything was done in the river
15:43and gosh that made for just terrible pollution
15:46so we're proud here again
15:48is a great mix of new technology
15:51and traditional methods
15:53where we are doing a lot of recycling
15:57and waste management
15:58to benefit our environment and our product.
16:01And what further circular practices
16:03are you hoping to include in the future?
16:06We really aim for full production in an organic way.
16:12Conventional flax is so green to begin with
16:16but if there are other things that we can do
16:19to improve that
16:21we certainly will be investing for the future.
16:24One thing that I think we can greatly improve on
16:27is our packaging.
16:29We're researching biodegradable packaging
16:32plastic packaging that's corn-based now
16:35and hoping to marry good design
16:37with those ecological aspects.
16:40And as well we also need to look for
16:44carbon neutral shipping.
16:46We grow in Belgium
16:47the one piece of our production
16:50that's really not as sustainable as we could be
16:53is that we're not next door
16:55to every one of our clients.
16:57We have to get the product to them
16:59and so we are shipping air freight
17:01we are shipping via container in some cases
17:04and so that carbon footprint
17:07we need to offset in some ways
17:09or find alternatives to be able to do.
17:12We consider flax the fiber of the future.
17:15Flax as a composite material
17:17is as strong as carbon fiber or glass fiber
17:20but so much lighter.
17:22So it's being investigated for use
17:25in component parts for planes
17:26that would then make planes lighter
17:29and fly more economically in terms of energy.
17:32It would take less fuel to fly a plane
17:34that's significantly lighter.
17:36So those investments we're hoping
17:38will really help make some significant reductions
17:42in carbon and our footprint on the planet.
17:45What are some applications at Libeco
17:48that you feel most proud of?
17:50It's fascinating to me to see
17:52what people do with the linen
17:54because it can be everything.
17:56I see it in traditional environments
17:59in contemporary environments.
18:01It's also traditionally been used as artist canvases
18:05and it's also used in archival exhibits
18:08because it's naturally pH balanced
18:11and because companies like Libeco
18:13don't do anything to add
18:15we have a lot of conservators
18:17and galleries and artists working with our linen
18:19which I think is kind of fascinating.
18:21It's a very traditional method or use of linen
18:25and it's something that you don't necessarily think about.
18:28How are Libeco's products used in the interiors industry?
18:33We have linen used in wide ranges of interior projects
18:37from traditional to contemporary
18:40for drapery, for upholstery, pillows, rugs.
18:45Your entire room could essentially be of linen
18:48and now we're seeing that flax composite
18:50used for manufacturing and molding of furniture
18:53which is really, really cool.
18:56It is a product that makes your home beautiful
18:58because again, it's much greener and safer
19:01and healthier for your home.
19:03I do notice a difference in coming home.
19:05There's this smell that's very earthy
19:08but slight and no chemicals at all.
19:10It's really wonderful to have an environment like that.
19:13Really, there's an endless use to linen.
19:17What trends do you foresee in the industry?
19:20Well, we do see a push towards
19:22a little bit more traditional.
19:24Believe it or not, the new generation of designers
19:27seems to be gravitating back to some of those things
19:29that we grew up with in the 70s and 80s.
19:32More trim, for example.
19:35More interest in chintzes
19:36and a little bit more formal looks.
19:39I think to celebrate an interior
19:41and have a departure from the more lived-in looks
19:44that we've had in the last 10 or 15 years.
19:47I certainly think that people are craving
19:49a bit of color right now
19:51but it will always be the traditional neutrals.
19:54It's just a shift versus gray
19:57and now we're seeing more warm browns
19:59and warmer, comfy tones coming into play.
20:03So we see those as the main trends.
20:06Anything else you'd like to share?
20:08I think this has really been such a nice opportunity, Laurence
20:12and I really thank you for inviting me to talk with you.
20:15Getting the education about natural fibers out
20:19is so important and I hope my passion
20:22for this product that is sustainable
20:25comes across and inspires you to investigate more
20:28if you don't know about natural fibers
20:30or about linen or about Libico.
20:32And go to the SFC website.
20:34You can see more about companies that do walk the walk
20:37and invest in this area
20:40and just embrace living in a healthy environment at home.
20:44Now that we want these places to be safe havens
20:48for all of us and our families,
20:50I think it's more important than ever
20:52for us as consumers to drive that product development
20:55like I said before.
20:57If you don't ask,
20:59manufacturers more than likely won't make it.
21:02And so it's up to us to make sure
21:04we're asking for these things that we want
21:06and we know are better for us and our health.
21:09And what is Libico's legacy?
21:12The legacy is really looking to be a part
21:16of a linen and flax community.
21:18Our owner Raymond is a phenomenal advocate
21:22for the industry and making sure
21:25that the health of Belgian linen,
21:27the truly artisanal methodology
21:30and investment in the techniques and looks
21:33and design is really a part of what he does every day.
21:38Obviously coupled with advancing certain technologies
21:42and looking for the next trends and everything else.
21:45But I think the legacy really is to be able
21:48to pass this artisanal product and craft
21:52down to the next generation
21:54that I think our legacy will be known for.
21:58And what a beautiful legacy.
22:00Thank you, Catherine.
22:01It's been such an interesting conversation.
22:05Thanks to Libico's artisanal farming
22:08and processing techniques,
22:10their transparency about their methods,
22:13the multiple standard certifications
22:15they have earned as testament to their efforts
22:18and carbon neutral processes,
22:21Libico has proven themselves a successful pillar
22:24of a circular furnishings community.
22:27We hope that Libico continues to lead the way
22:30so other fibre and textile companies
22:33can follow in their footsteps
22:35and embrace more sustainable, circular
22:38and regenerative practices in their own companies.