Century Rayon completes and publishes its first CanopyStyle Audit
Published:
by: Laura Repas
- CanopyStyle
- Media release
Mumbai, New York, Vancouver, FEBRUARY 23, 2021: Today, environmental not-for-profit Canopy, third-party auditor Preferred by Nature (formerly NEPCon), and Century Rayon released the India headquartered viscose filament yarn (VFY) producer’s first CanopyStyle audit report.
The audit found that while the majority of Century Rayon’s suppliers are low risk of sourcing from priority Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources, additional verification is required to determine risk levels for one remaining supplier. The supplier verification will be conducted in the first half of 2021, pending the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. While the Century Rayon facility that produces viscose filament yarn (VFY) is managed by Aditya Birla Group, it is independently owned by Century Textiles & Industries Ltd with a dedicated ranking for Century now appearing in the 2020 Hot Button Ranking .
“The audit results show that Century Rayon is doing important work with Next Generation Fibre solutions, which is critical if we are to meet scientifically supported targets of protecting 30-50% of forests by 2030,” said Nicole Rycroft, Executive Director at Canopy. “We look forward to seeing additional results from the supplier site visit and are encouraged that Century Rayon will be proactively addressing this information gap in its supply chain.”
“Century Rayon is excited to be part of the CanopyStyle Initiative, and working collaboratively to reduce the impact of our operations on forests. We look forward to continuing this important work with Canopy,” said Mr. Omprakash R. Chitlange, CEO of the VFY (Fashion Yarn) Business, Century Rayon.
"Preferred by Nature is pleased to be an independent auditing body for the CanopyStyle initiative and in particular making it possible to meet the growing demand for CanopyStyle Audits throughout Asia,” stated Jon Jickling, Director of Solutions at Preferred by Nature. “Century Rayon is committed to this third-party assessment of their raw material sourcing and we look forward to the final site visit in 2021.” Key findings of the audit include: 1.The audit shows the company has adopted a wood sourcing policy, has communicated it to suppliers, and has created internal capacity responsible for policy implementation.
2. Century Rayon has started to implement an action plan to increase the use of cellulosic fibre made from alternative fibre sources, and is working to bring products containing these fibres to commercial scale in 2021.
3. Century Rayon’s fibre supply chain cannot yet be fully confirmed at low risk of sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources, due to an additional audit being required of one supplier that is located near an important area for biodiversity.
Moving forward, Canopy recommends that Century Rayon:
laura.r@canopyplanet.org
+1-416-729-7484 Canopy Canopy is an international not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting our forests, species and climate. Canopy collaborates with more than 750 companies to develop innovative solutions, to make their fibre supply chains more sustainable, and to help protect our world’s remaining Ancient and Endangered Forests. Canopy’s partners include H&M, Sprint, Target, Amazon, Penguin Random House, Zara, TC Transcontinental, and Scholastic. Canopy’s work relies on the support of individual donors who share our passion for the planet. www.canopyplanet.org Preferred by Nature Preferred by Nature, formerly NEPCon, is an international, non-profit organisation working to support better land management and business practices that benefit people, nature and the climate. For 25 years, we have worked with businesses, smallholders, non-profit organisations and governments on developing solutions to major global challenges such as deforestation and climate change. We focus on forest and climate impact commodities and related sectors. Through a well-developed network of local representatives and contractors, Preferred by Nature offers timely and cost-effective certification services around the world. Our focus on mission and impact differentiates our services and strengthens our credibility. www.preferredbynature.org
The audit found that while the majority of Century Rayon’s suppliers are low risk of sourcing from priority Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources, additional verification is required to determine risk levels for one remaining supplier. The supplier verification will be conducted in the first half of 2021, pending the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. While the Century Rayon facility that produces viscose filament yarn (VFY) is managed by Aditya Birla Group, it is independently owned by Century Textiles & Industries Ltd with a dedicated ranking for Century now appearing in the 2020 Hot Button Ranking .
“The audit results show that Century Rayon is doing important work with Next Generation Fibre solutions, which is critical if we are to meet scientifically supported targets of protecting 30-50% of forests by 2030,” said Nicole Rycroft, Executive Director at Canopy. “We look forward to seeing additional results from the supplier site visit and are encouraged that Century Rayon will be proactively addressing this information gap in its supply chain.”
“Century Rayon is excited to be part of the CanopyStyle Initiative, and working collaboratively to reduce the impact of our operations on forests. We look forward to continuing this important work with Canopy,” said Mr. Omprakash R. Chitlange, CEO of the VFY (Fashion Yarn) Business, Century Rayon.
"Preferred by Nature is pleased to be an independent auditing body for the CanopyStyle initiative and in particular making it possible to meet the growing demand for CanopyStyle Audits throughout Asia,” stated Jon Jickling, Director of Solutions at Preferred by Nature. “Century Rayon is committed to this third-party assessment of their raw material sourcing and we look forward to the final site visit in 2021.” Key findings of the audit include: 1.The audit shows the company has adopted a wood sourcing policy, has communicated it to suppliers, and has created internal capacity responsible for policy implementation.
2. Century Rayon has started to implement an action plan to increase the use of cellulosic fibre made from alternative fibre sources, and is working to bring products containing these fibres to commercial scale in 2021.
3. Century Rayon’s fibre supply chain cannot yet be fully confirmed at low risk of sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources, due to an additional audit being required of one supplier that is located near an important area for biodiversity.
Moving forward, Canopy recommends that Century Rayon:
- Work with Preferred by Nature to determine risk for the remaining supplier where risk levels have not yet been confirmed;
- Adopt ambitious public targets and timelines for increasing the use of Next Generation alternative fibres in a commercially competitive way;
- Establish internal systems to monitor policy implementation in addition to FSC-certification and other certification systems; and
- Work with Canopy to support conservation solutions for key Ancient and Endangered Forests.
laura.r@canopyplanet.org
+1-416-729-7484 Canopy Canopy is an international not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting our forests, species and climate. Canopy collaborates with more than 750 companies to develop innovative solutions, to make their fibre supply chains more sustainable, and to help protect our world’s remaining Ancient and Endangered Forests. Canopy’s partners include H&M, Sprint, Target, Amazon, Penguin Random House, Zara, TC Transcontinental, and Scholastic. Canopy’s work relies on the support of individual donors who share our passion for the planet. www.canopyplanet.org Preferred by Nature Preferred by Nature, formerly NEPCon, is an international, non-profit organisation working to support better land management and business practices that benefit people, nature and the climate. For 25 years, we have worked with businesses, smallholders, non-profit organisations and governments on developing solutions to major global challenges such as deforestation and climate change. We focus on forest and climate impact commodities and related sectors. Through a well-developed network of local representatives and contractors, Preferred by Nature offers timely and cost-effective certification services around the world. Our focus on mission and impact differentiates our services and strengthens our credibility. www.preferredbynature.org
Century Rayon (Under the Management and Operation of Grasim Industries Ltd.) is situated at Shahad about 60 km North of Mumbai on the bank of Ulhas River, in Maharashtra, India.
Century Rayon commenced operations in 1956. Today as part of One VFY Fashion Yarn Business under the Grasim Industries Limited of Aditya Birla Group, it is one of the larger producers of Viscose Filament Yarn in the country. The Century Rayon is equipped with manufacturing technologies of Pot Spun Yarn (PSY), Continuous Spun Yarn (CSY) and Tyre Cord Yarn. Century Rayon produces the viscose filament yarn (VFY) in bright, dull and in a variety of shades and speciality yarns to meet the market demand. Lately company has also diversified and started producing Doubled Twisted (DT) yarn for embroidery segment and also added Air Textured & Slub yarn in its product basket.Sustainability remains at the forefront of the business. The manufacturing units are accredited with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, FSC-COC, SA 8000, STeP, REACH Compliance and Oeko-Tex 100 Certification.
Vision To be a global leader in premium fashion yarn segment through safe, sustainable and innovation led growth.
Mission Committed to offer versatile product range through innovative processes with a focus on customer centricity, safety and sustainable while being responsible towards people and community.
Purpose Weaving into your lives with premium fashion.
