Gucci has inaugurated the first Circular Hub for luxury in Italy. It is a real revolution, the result of an investment of 15 million euros over three years which involves not only the famous brand founded in 1921 in Florence, but also the Kering Group.
The hub was created with the aim of promoting the evolution of the production model in the fashion sector in Italy in a circular key, transforming processes, from the choice of raw materials and product design to the optimization of production and logistics.
Gucci’s hub in Tuscany to rethink the fashion industry
The project, launched by Gucci, has a research and development centerfocused on materials, design, production and logistics processes, e a training center on solutions for the reuse and reuse of processing waste, which will also involve 700 direct suppliers and 3,500 subcontractors.
The initiative, initially at the service of Gucci and then of the other Kering brands, will be open to the market. For the venues, Tuscany was chosen. The research part will be carried out in the ArtLab factory in Scandicci (Florence), while for logistics the center will be in Campi Bisenzio.
“It is a source of pride for me that the hub was born in Italy, home to some of the most important and renowned production centers and know-how of the Group”, was the comment of Marie-Claire Daveau, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer di Kering.
“LCollaboration with Gucci has given rise to the new Circular Hub and this is evidence not only of a strong community of objectives within the Group but also of an ambitious example which, in the logic of open source, intends to be an open invitation to other reality to join in this path”.
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Gucci drives innovation for a circular economy
Maximize the use of recycled materials, the durability, repairability and recyclability of end-of-life products: this is the hub’s ambitious objective which will anticipate the new production models that will be binding in Europe in the coming years, so much so that companies will also be responsible for the end of life of the product and waste materials.
“The fashion industry today has the responsibility of stimulating concrete actions and finding solutions capable of accelerating change, also rethinking production methods and the use of resources. The creation of the Circular Hub is an important milestone and was born to pursue this goal” has continued Marie Claire Daveau.
The activity of the hub will develop on:
- Research and development: a dedicated center will study technological and digital solutions to guarantee the best product quality and the least environmental impact.
- Logistics: will have the role of facilitator with the companies part of the supply chain for the tracking of production waste for recovery and regeneration.
- Partnership industriali: with the aim of creating technological solutions and systems to recover and regenerate materials for their reuse.
- Sharing of value: everything that will be tested and learned will be made available to other companies to involve the entire market, with a view to open innovation.
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The benefits of the Gucci hub
Huge benefits of various kinds are to be expected from the hub. First of all, this new model will promote the research of circular materials and the innovation of industrial plants. As a result, new local supply channels and supply chain consolidation will develop. The first circular Made in Italy will also favor the reduction of environmental and social impacts of production chains through the conception of economies of scale and scope.
The planet will also be grateful since the Circular Hub will make it possible reduction of up to 60% of greenhouse gas emissions currently generated in the management of production waste.
Antonella Centra, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability di Gucci, recounted the hub’s mission: “Circularity offers us a vision that involves the entire production cycle: it is a great challenge to make Made in Italy even stronger and more competitive. Today with Circular Hub we have the responsibility and above all the opportunity to pave the way for the luxury industry of the future. By sharing the same objectives and pooling resources, know-how and synergies, the platform represents a concrete tool for enabling the entire supply chain and especially small and medium-sized enterprises, the beating heart of our country, making them an active part of the process of constant innovation that makes Italian know-how unique in the world”.
According to data from the European Parliament, the EU produces more than 2.5 billion tonnes of waste every year. The circular economy plays a fundamental role in this game, because it provides for a production and consumption model aimed at reusing, repairing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible.
