Bosideng, based in China, is more than just a specialist in the production of high-quality down garments. Through the development of award-winning low-carbon fabrics and products, along with the implementation of a seamless Global Inventory Management System (GIMS), the company ensures a high level of transparency and traceability throughout its supply chain.
Award-winning sustainable material innovations
Founded almost 50 years ago, Bosideng has thrived primarily on the production of high-quality down jackets, in the meantime the company has also expanded well beyond down clothing and is increasingly involved in the development of sustainable materials. Many of these material innovations and products have won awards and been developed in collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned technology partners.
For example, Bosideng has developed 100 percent bio-based nylon fabrics that have won the ISPO Textrends Award and the Global Selection Award in the “Film and Coating” category. Other bio-based fabrics have received the Top 10 Product Award in the “Functional Finishing” category, and new high-elasticity fabrics have won the Top 10 Product Award in the “Film and Coating” category. Fabrics made from Bosideng’s 100 percent bio-based nylon and bio-based spandex have been shown to reduce carbon footprints by 23 percent.
In collaboration with GORE-TEX, Bosideng has developed products with the new, more sustainable GORE-TEX ePE membrane. ePE stands for expanded polyethylene, which has been proven to reduce the carbon footprint of even highly technical materials, while ensuring durability and high, PFC-free performance.
Bosideng has confirmed the carbon footprint of several key products, obtained the China Quality Certification (CQC) Center’s CO2 certification and successfully made them zero-carbon products. These include the Polar Down Jacket, the Light Warm Goose Down Jacket, the Mountaineering Down Jacket, the Ski Down Jacket and the Urban Light Outdoor 1.0 Anti-Sun Wear Apparel.
High standards for design and chemical management
At Bosideng, sustainability begins with design. The company took the lead in drafting Group Standard T/CNGA 33-2021, which is the “Technical Specification for the Assessment of Eco-friendly Design Products in Down Clothing.” This standard is incorporated into Bosideng’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for product design, ensuring that the use of chemicals is carefully managed from the start of the design phase. By considering the use of chemicals at an early stage, Bosideng eliminates hazardous substances at the source. In addition, Bosideng has developed a “Supplier Chemical Control Manual” that requires suppliers to comply with the “Restricted Substances List Requirements (RSL) for Chemicals of Bosideng” and is also a member of the “Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC)” initiative.
To raise consumer awareness of the importance of strict chemical management requirements, Bosideng is using or planning to use various communication channels, including its website, WeChat account, e-commerce platform and product labels on chemical safety in textiles.
Responsible raw-material sourcing and real-time tracking for optimized inventory management
Bosideng is also pioneering approaches to the sourcing and use of raw materials with a proprietary Global Inventory Management System (GIMS) that maximizes transparency, efficiency and sustainability. GIMS is a sophisticated platform that seamlessly integrates with the company’s existing systems, including the Purchase Order System (POS) and Extended Warehouse Management (EWM). This integration enables Bosideng to monitor the procurement and usage of raw materials in real time, while minimizing inventory and resource waste.
In addition, GIMS provides a comprehensive directory of all supplier information and a detailed and transparent view of the entire supply chain, facilitating the verification of ethical and environmental standards and improving quality assurance.
The company has further strengthened quality assurance by linking GIMS to raw materials quality inspection reports and results. Fabrics and trims are subjected to the same rigorous monitoring. This comprehensive coverage enables the company, in real-time, to track and manage the use of all relevant materials in the supply chain whether they are fabrics, trimmings, or other elements.
While there is no legal requirement for supply chain transparency in China, investing in supply chain transparency and traceability is a strategic decision for Bosideng to improve risk management, quality control and brand image.
Strict down quality standards, animal welfare and comprehensive inspection
Bosideng places a strong emphasis on responsible sourcing, particularly for down. By establishing stricter standards than those mandated by national regulations and committing clearly to animal welfare , Bosideng ensures that all of its raw materials meet the highest quality and ethical standards. For example, Bosideng prioritizes suppliers who are certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and is committed to continuously increasing RDS certification rates to further promote animal welfare and increase transparency in the supply chain. Today, 100 percent of Bosideng’s down is RDS certified and 75 percent of it is OEKO-TEX® certified . In addition, Bosideng sources 58 percent of its down from suppliers that are also bluesign® certified.
In addition, Bosideng has a clear strategy for responsibly sourcing materials other than down, such as cotton and leather.