Sustainability

Sustainable and responsible corporate governance

Tradition, quality, sustainability and social responsibility characterize our corporate activities and form the basis of our success. Conscious and ethically correct behavior towards employees, colleagues, business partners, society, the environment and the next generation is a fundamental part of our value system. The minimum is compliance with the law in all countries and markets in which we are represented. In the same way, each individual is required to behave responsibly, fairly and in accordance with the rules. As a partner of renowned manufacturers, we are also subject to a wide range of legal regulations and high individual requirements of individual companies and associations. It is part of our self-image to comply with the existing regulations and to take responsibility for our actions. Environmental, climate and resource protection are also clear expectations that we place on ourselves and our entire supply chain.

All these and other principles are set out in the "Code of Conduct" of the German Textile and Fashion Industry Association, to which we are clearly committed and thus live up to our responsibility towards all parties (/www.textil-bekleidung.de/mitgliederbereich/muster-arbeitshilfen-informationen/umwelt-nachhaltigkeit-und-energie/code-of-conduct). The Code of Conduct is based on the internationally recognized principles for the protection of human and labour rights, as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ILO core labour standards, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Code is also based on relevant international agreements on environmental protection. As a company in the textile industry, we support the goal of enforcing human rights, labor, social and environmental standards in economic value creation processes. By aligning our operational activities with these principles of international law, we can make a corresponding contribution to this.

New. Sustainability Report 2025

Avoiding PFAS chemicals

The use of chemicals is often essential in order to produce highly functional, flame-retardant textiles. We go to great lengths to ensure that our fabrics do not harm the environment.

PFAS chemicals are per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances that are particularly heat-resistant and repel water, oil and dirt. Until now, they have been indispensable in the use of stain-resistant finishes. According to the latest findings, PFAS substances are classified as harmful to the environment, as they are virtually indestructible and spread rapidly in the environment. We will therefore gradually replace these substances with modern, less environmentally harmful finishes.

An environmentally friendly alternative to PFAS substances are DWR (durable water-repellent) coatings, which utilise, for example, paraffins, dendrimes, polyurethane or silicones. These are water- and dirt-repellent and are significantly more environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, we recommend carefully checking the suitability of the fabric for its intended use.

We’re already PFAS-free here!

DELIUS has already reached an important milestone with the DELIGARD upholstery fabrics: the entire collection is now PFAS-free. Fluorinated finishes have long been the norm, particularly in stain- and water-repellent textiles. By using modern alternatives, DELIUS can do without PFAS whilst still offering the functionality required for demanding commercial applications.

DELIUS is also driving forward the transition in blackout fabrics. Fabrics such as Kira DELIBLACK and Liam DELIBLACK already demonstrate that reliable blackout performance and the avoidance of PFAS are compatible. The DELINIGHT collection goes one step further: thanks to a particularly dense weave, the fabrics achieve their blackout effect without a backing coating. The single-fibre polyester FR fabrics are PFAS-free and recyclable.

The elimination of PFAS is part of DELIUS’s ongoing product development – with the aim of combining high functionality and durability with the responsible use of materials and chemicals.

ECOSAFE

Biodegradable curtain fabrics

EcoSafe - these flame-retardant contract fabrics set new standards in the field of sustainability, because fabrics from the EcoSafe collection are biodegradable and offer the functionalities of conventional polyester fabrics.

The material was developed on the basis of the innovative OceanSafe technology, which has been rated "Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold" along the entire value chain. This proves that the materials have been developed in the sense of a closed-loop system.

EcoSafe combines innovative functionality with environmental awareness and thus offers significant progress for responsible and stylish contract furnishing.

Immerse yourself

Single-variety plastics - a valuable resource

70% of the textiles in our collection are single-origin, i.e. made from 100% polyester and are therefore easily recyclable. These single-origin polyester fabrics are a particularly valuable resource and can be reused using various recycling methods.
This conserves resources and the environment because less polyester has to be newly produced and less valuable material has to be disposed of.
If our polyester fabrics no longer meet your visual and functional requirements after use, we would like to ensure that they are available for other applications for a long time to come.
So we work with you to responsibly solve the disposal problem and return the used textiles to an economically viable cycle. The fabrics are reprocessed as felt materials for the automotive and construction industries, where they can be used for many decades to come.

ReTurn - Learn more

Bristol, York & Grimsby

Upholstery fabrics made from regenerated wool

The Italian Association for Recycled Textiles ASTRI promotes companies that have been producing high-quality fabrics from recycled raw materials for decades. The gradual extraction of materials is carried out in the spirit of the circular economy in line with the priorities set for the seventh environmental action programme. (EU decision April 2012).

In the view of the linear economy, waste is the end of a product or material without further use.
Materials that can be recycled and reused are regarded as so-called textile by-products. These form the basis for new raw materials from used textiles.
The reuse of used clothing makes it possible to manufacture textile products such as high-quality upholstery fabrics made of wool, in line with the circular economy. In a complex process, used textiles are sorted by colour, mechanically processed, carbonised and washed, carded and spun into yarn. The resulting regenerated yarns form the basis of the new upholstery fabrics with a 70% recycled wool content.

zu den Stoffen

Our benchmark

17 Global Goals

We are guided by the United Nations' 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development:

CODE OF CONDUCT

Combining entrepreneurial activity with ethical principles is one of the key factors of long-term success for DELIUS GmbH & Co. KG and has a long tradition. We are convinced that ethical and economic values are interdependent and that the business world must strive to treat each other fairly and act within the framework of the prescribed standards. In our DELIUS GmbH & Co. KG Code of Conduct, we have summarized binding rules of conduct that we expect our employees to adhere to. For us, it goes without saying that all employees must comply with the laws and regulations and fulfill their obligations in a reliable manner. They must demonstrate honesty and fairness in all aspects of their business activities.

We also expect our partners to recognize their social responsibility towards their own company, towards customers, suppliers and other business partners, towards the environment and towards society. This Code of Conduct sets out minimum standards that we expect our customers, suppliers and other contractual partners to comply with as a minimum.

Our code of conduct in detail

LKSG

Supply Chain Due Diligence Act

The Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) for companies was passed in June 2021 and came into force in Germany on January 1, 2023. It defines the obligations of companies when it comes to protecting fundamental human rights and shows companies how they must comply with these in their supply chains.

Delius is clearly committed to respecting human rights. In the event of possible violations of these rights, you are welcome to contact us at any time via our reporting channel using the email address menschenrechte@delius.de.