What is terracare®?

Production
Heinen has implemented strict criteria for the environmentally friendly materials they use for their leather production:

CO2
During the manufacturing of leather the release of CO2 is unavoidable. Heinen puts extended efforts into reducing CO2 emissions. Within the last years a reduction in emissions of 50% has been achieved. By using its own cogeneration units a part of the needed electricity is being generated inhouse. Those units operate on natural gas, which releases the least amount of CO2. The heat generated during this process is used to dry the leather and to heat water.

Water
It is not possible to work completely without water during the production of leather. Heinen gradually reduced the use of water and restricts the use to a minimum. Following the legally prescribed limits the water will be used multiple times after being processed by a sewage plant and finally purified in the municipal sewage plant. Pollutants are filtered and residues converted.

Chemicals
Even for terracare®-leather the use of chemicals remains necessary. Heinen sets very strict standards for the use of chemicals during their leather production and limits the use to a bare minimum. The used chemicals are degradable whenever possible and originate in Germany or Western Europe, because those states do apply the strictest requirements for chemicals.
Waste
The waste is reduced to a minimum and is re-used if possible. Parts of the leather waste is feed to biogas facilities and converted into electricity.

Transport routes
Another environmentally friendly aspect, which is of importance to the company, is the intention to use the shortest transport routes possible. For this Heinen relies on cooperations with partners from the region.

Social responsibility
Heinen assumes responsibility for its employees and invests in the highest level of operating safety. Additionally Heinen offers social security, as well as education and training.

Products
terracare®
The manufacturing of high quality terracare® leather strictly follows the above mentioned environmental and social standards

terracare® Zero CO2
The company compensates the unavoidable CO2, which is released during the tanning process of terracare® Zero CO2 products by cooperating with international reforestation programs. Parts of the revenue are offered to benefit selected projects. Those are certificated by the strictest international standards for reforestation programs and are being monitored by independent environmental organisations.

terracare® Zero Chrome
Heinen tans with harmless chrome-III. Because this chemical can cause allergies with sensitive persons, the manufacturer decided to develop a label which works completely without chrome-III: The terracare® Zero Chrome.