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LEATHER & ALTERNATIVES
Touch, feel and sustainability
It’s all a question of selection. For starters, Autron works with the most highly regarded tanneries and finisher. Using a specialist process, they make various leather varieties from selected raw, and only a selection of these are eligible for processing by Autron.
The leather retains its strength and natural appearance. That’s why these leather varieties meet Autron’s quality requirements. Yet, at this stage, it is still not good enough for us. Hence why we inspect it on a scale, from the initial inspection throughout the cutting processes, so as to control and refine its microstructure prior to machining it. Improving the unity of the batches leather along the way. That being said, its greatest test is not our minute analysis of its structure. The true challenge is the one which awaits it out in the world, facing the vagaries of everyday life.
Since 2022, we starting to introduce recycled, bio-base leather and polyurethane in our material selections. The recycled leather made from genuine leather scraps that were destined for landfills. That gives additional options to brand who hope to increase their product's recycle proportion.
COTTON CANVAS
Organic and recycled
This is our organic and recycled cotton. At first glance, it is indistinguishable from any other. Our recycled cotton is blended with recycled polyester. This process extends the length of the fibers to make the perfect yarn for our bags. Why did we bother integrating such a complex and demanding industrial process?
Producing a single pound of conventional cotton takes about 173 gallons of water. Add that to the carbon footprint of preparing the soil, the harmful pesticides that impact field workers, cultivating the plants and harvesting the crops, then scale up that number to encompass all the cotton grown in the world—and you get a significant environmental cost. By using recycled cotton, we extend the life span of a fiber that has already been created, uses fewer environmental resources and still has that soft, comfortable feel. And of course, BCI, OCS, GOTs and transaction certificates will be provided along with goods.
As we shift to water-repellent membranes and finishes made without PFCs, and prioritize recycled materials to build quality, durable bags, we’re also focusing on incorporating natural fiber alternatives with a lower environmental impact. Our next step in that journey is waxed cotton.
POLYESTER & NYLON
The heavy task of lightness
This is our recycled polyester and nylon. When we need a Durable, lightweight, water-repellent fabric that can perform, we look to recycled polyester and nylon, one of the toughest fabric we use to build our products.
Our nylon fabrics have a urethane coating to repel water, which perfectly for outdoor use. These fabrics come in many different deniers which refers to the thickness of the individual fibers that make up the fabric and is an indication of weight and durability. Like most plastics derived from petroleum, manufacturing nylon comes with costly environmental impacts that pollute the land, water and air. Over 10 years, we’ve incorporated recycled polyester and nylon into our shell, lining, trims, zippers and interfacing.
When sourcing recycled polyester and nylon, we ask our supply chain partners to be certified to approved third-party standards, including the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certifications. These standards ensure robust chain of custody practices are in place and reduce the risks of unauthorized mixing or swapping of materials. We are committed to achieving RCS or GRS certification at 100% of our eligible fabric mills. Long-term, we’re also considering more chemical-recycling technologies that might allow us to reuse recycled garments and get us closer to a “circular” manufacturing process.
NATURAL MATERIALS
Sustainably grown
This is our raffia, hemp and linen. Since 2010 we started using natural materials to make our bags. It is strong, holds dye superbly, and is easily malleable. Linen and hemp are usually to make as shell and lining. We introduced raffia on 2019, through our sustainability initiatives and work with skilled artisans and craftspeople, our raffia techniques is the epitome of accessory excellence.
Braiding with raffia takes months of training and years of practice to master, showcasing the level of skill and craftsmanship involved in creating unique pieces. To create the raffia braid, we use the highest quality, sustainably harvested Madagascan raffia. The raffia is carefully washed, processed, and dried naturally in the sun before being distributed to the artisans. The artisans then split the raffia fibre by hand, ensuring a consistent weight and thickness for a uniform finish. It takes approximately five days for a skilled artisan to complete a 120-metre coil of the signature five-plait raffia braid, ensuring that there are no visible joins or knots in the length. The finished braid is then delicately formed and sewn together into elevated silhouettes.
SYNTHESIS MATERIALS
Alternative in bio-way
This is our natural material alternative options. Including Polyurethane, Neoprene, Polyester straw. We use recycled stretch yarns and bio-based polyurethanes, while having costing improvement but still potential to reduce our CO2 emissions.
Since 2019 we introduced water-base and recycled polyurethane into our polyurethane line. In terms of feel and performance, is breathable, water-repellent and easy to clean. All synthesis material in our selection with no hazardous chemicals as listed on the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Manufacturing Restricted Substances List. We are constantly striving to improve our manufacturing process and the materials that go into making our products in a way that’s better for the environment.
DENIM
An everyday fabrics
This is our denim. Made from 100% cotton, provides outstanding performance with different fabric finishing, constructions, weight and elasticity options.
Most of our selection is everyday denim that offers a vintage aesthetic with modern day innovation, provides a clash of genuine style with enough stretch for maximum comfort for all styles. Light on the shell and is smooth to the touch, which exudes a premium and superior feel. A variety of surfaces, constructions, colors and coatings, are available in our denim fabric selection that is both lightweight and comfortable.
PLANT BASE MATERIALS
Alternative in bio-way
This is our plant base materials. Introduced to be plastic-free fabrics. Since 2021, we start to work with Bananatex®️, MIRUM®️ as 100% plastic free, biodegradable and durable fabric as a supplement to our materials selection.
Bananatex® is incredibly strong and durable while remaining soft, lightweight and supple. The Natural White colorway reflects the actual color of the fibers and is not dyed. An all-natural wax coating can be applied to make Bananatex® waterproof. The resulting fabric has a smooth and distinctive handfeel.
A plastic-free alternative to leather, MIRUM® is a material made from natural rubber, plant oils and waxes, natural pigments, and minerals.
AUTRON BAGMAKING KNOW-HOW
Excellence in the making
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