After 2 years of work with the Carbon Disclosure Project, we’ve had our carbon emissions target validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). 

What is the SBTi? 

The SBTi is a partnership. It is between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature. Together they are working to drive ambitious climate action in the private sector by encouraging companies to set quantifiable carbon reduction targets. Targets that align with the Paris Climate Accord aim of restricting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees.   

Mantis World’s Target & Commitment

We have committed to reduce our scope 1 & 2 emissions by 50% by 2030. Furthermore to begin recording & reducing those for scope 3. “We’re delighted” said Prama Bhardwaj, Mantis World’s CEO & Founder, “our work in the adoption of regenerative and organic agriculture is well established.  To have our carbon reduction target validated by SBTi – the leading and most robust framework for all industries – shows Mantis World’s determination and commitment to leading the fight against climate change.  This is one of our biggest steps on the journey to sustainability. We hope it serves as an example for the industry to follow.”   

Preferred Fibres 

We first introduced Organic Cotton into our collections back in 2005 and we have continued to lead the use of preferred fibres since then. We added recycled polyester in 2017, we completely eliminated conventional cotton from our supply chain in 2019 and we introduced In-Conversion to Organic cotton earlier this year.

The Challenge Ahead 

Dr Luiz Fernando do Amaral, CEO of the SBTi, recently said: “The science is clear – we are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and continuing on the current trajectory equals catastrophe….we must continue to drive the exponential growth of science-based targets and make them ‘business as usual’ for companies and financial institutions worldwide.”   

Source: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/news/companies-committed-to-cut-emissions-in-line-with-climate-science-now-represent-38-trillion-of-global-economy  

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Printwear&Promotion Live is back for 2022!

We are so excited to be returning to P&P this year, it’s felt like a long time since we were all able to meet! Come & check out our new Essentials collection that introduces coordinated styles running through the Mantis, Mantis Kids and Babybugz ranges. Combining the best of our sustainable credentials with fun, fashionable styles that are perfect for decorating.

What you can expect on our stand

Our friendly team will be on hand to discuss all things sustainability, demonstrate our Impact Calculator, which allows the wearer to see the environmental savings of going organic, and to introduce you to In-Conversion Cotton.

Presenting at the Knowledge Centre

Mantis & Babybugz Brand Ambassador Laura Parrott will also be presenting at the Knowledge Centre. Her seminar ‘The ever-changing world of sustainable & organic – what it means for your business’ promises to give informative insight into a topic that is at the forefront of industry-wide discussions. Join her at 12.30 on Monday and 2.30 on Tuesday.

Register for free

You can register for free by clicking here and then head along to meet us at our stand C30.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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We have some good news to shout about!

We’re utterly delighted to announce that we have been named as winners of Textile Exchange’s Ryan Young Climate+ Award. We’ve been recognised as a Climate Leader in the textile industry, which is an enormous honour for us.

Who are Textile Exchange?

Textile Exchange are a global non-profit organisation that we’ve been working with for over a decade. They help brands, retailers and suppliers to connect and compare their climate strategy and impact. Moreover they encourage the use of preferred materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester. Earlier this year, they released their Material Change Index. This is the largest peer to peer comparison initiative in the textile industry. Mantis World were recognised as a leader of material change. We were awarded the highest score due to our commitment to using organic and sustainable fibres, amongst other key factors.

What is Climate+?

When they announced their Climate+ strategy in 2019, we took it upon ourselves to adapt our own climate policy to fit it. The aim of their strategy is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the textile industry by 45% by 2030. It’s a big task, and requires all participants to really take a look at their policies, and how they can improve on areas including water, soil health and biodiversity.

So what’s the award for?

Textile Exchange created the award in honour of former Chief Operating Officer Ryan Young, who tragically passed away in 2020. We have been lauded for our “innovative, scalable, and transparent programs”. We’ve put these in place to meeting the Climate+ strategy goals. This includes our Impact Calculator, which allows the wearer to follow every step of the garment’s supply chain and see the impact savings of choosing organic by scanning a QR code on the care label. This clever technology has been developed in cooperation with sustainability platform Green Story, which enables brands to accurately measure and communicate the positive impact of their products. By combining Life Cycle Assessment methodology with interactive data and impact visuals, their ‘Know your Impact’ tool is empowering consumers to know their impact and make choices that are better for the planet and the generations to come. In addition, we believe that putting traceability and responsibility front and centre for customers is essential. This is a great way to help everyone see the role they can play in reducing our impact on the earth.

“We are honoured and delighted to have been selected as the winners of the Ryan Young Climate+ award. At Mantis World, we place fair and responsible practice at the very heart of our business, and are forever striving to do better. We are grateful to Textile Exchange for recognising our work in making transparency and impact savings accessible to all our stakeholders. Our own climate strategy was shaped by Ryan’s inspiring words back in 2019, and so to receive the inaugural award in his name is very humbling. We may be a small business, but we are demonstrating every day that nobody is too small to make a difference.”

Prama Bhardwaj, CEO and Founder

This year’s winners of the Ryan Young Climate+ Award were announced at the 2021 Textile Sustainability Conference in Dublin, Ireland on the 16th of November.

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What is in-conversion cotton?

Cotton harvested during a farm’s transition to organic production is referred to as in-conversion cotton. Conventional cotton production is a chemically intensive process which not only impacts the environment but our health as well. It takes up to three years to reach certified organic status, but farmers immediately adopt fully organic practices right away, removing the use of harmful pesticides and fertilisers as well as using GMO-free seeds.

Can in-conversion cotton be certified?

Yes! The leading organic textile standards GOTS and OCS have both recognised the important role in­-conversion cotton will play and provide certification to assure integrity and consumer confidence. Our garments are certified to both OCS and GOTS standards. The OCS certification does not at this time allow in-conversion garments to be labelled as OCS. However the documentary paper trail is all there for customers to see. Our labels will clearly state if the garment is made with in-conversion cotton.

What is IC2?

IC means in-conversion. Two types of IC cotton are available on the market, IC1 and IC2. The numbers refer to the amount of time that the cotton has been grown organically. So IC1 means it’s one year into the process, and IC2 is two years into the process. Currently, whilst certified by OCS, IC1 cotton is not certified by GOTS. Both GOTS and OCS provide certification of IC2, which is why we will be introducing IC2 across the range.

Will it cost more?

We have seen increases in price for all cotton, but organic has been hit hardest due to the lack of supply. In the short term, most brands offering organic cotton are putting their prices up since the overall true cost of a garment has now skyrocketed. The industry is now revisiting the pricing model entirely, and something we can all afford to do is ensure that more is going to the farmers at the start of the supply chain.

Why do some garments state “organic or in-conversion to organic”?

Mantis World have been championing organic cotton since bringing it to the blank garments industry in 2005. In 2019 we switched all the cotton in our garments to organic, however, due to severe shortages and steep price increases, procurement of organic cotton has become increasingly difficult.

With increased customer demand for sustainable clothing pushing many major brands to switch to organic cotton, coupled with human rights violations on cotton farms in Xinjiang, China and fraudulent organic certifications in India – supply has been unable to keep up.

This is where in-conversion can step in to plug the gap. In-conversion cotton has been grown honouring organic farming practices, but is still waiting to be certified as organic. Mantis World embraces in-conversion cotton in order to spread the adoption of regenerative and organic agriculture.

Are garments listed as “in-conversion to organic” of inferior quality?

No. In-conversion cotton fabric is just as soft and sustainable as the certified variety.

Where can I learn more about in-conversion cotton?

For more information on the benefits of in-conversion cotton production visit: https://textileexchange.org/in-conversion-transitional-cotton/

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We are proud members of Textile Exchange, a global non-profit committed to working with brands across the industry for wider change. Alongside all the work they do to promote and develop sustainable strategies, they now produce the Material Change Index (MCI).

This is the largest peer-to-peer comparison initiative in the industry, tracking the alignment of members with key performance indicators. These include the use of preferred materials, implementation of strategy and circularity, and fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The MCI ranking

The MCI takes all of these factors into account and gives their members a ranking. As a result of this, companies are able to track their own progress against like-minded companies in similar markets to them. Moreover hopefully they will be inspired to do more going forward.

Leading brand

This year, Mantis World have been awarded the high level. We were named as a leading brand and pioneers in implementing industry change. This is a fantastic honour and the result of hard work from the whole of Team Mantis. However, it just inspires us to keep on going.

So how was our score overall?

Companies are given an overall ranking between 1-4. 1 is awarded to companies who are just beginning their journey. 4 is being awarded to companies with a solid foundation of transparency and commitment to continuous improvement.

MCI Leader

Mantis World were given a 4, on the basis of our top marks in strategy and use of preferred materials. Of course, we love a challenge! Seeing our performance and the performance of our peers highlights to us where we can push even harder next year in order to keep at the top of our game.

Material Change Index (MCI)

You can access the MCI here. Click to see how some of the biggest names in textiles are working towards the same goals as us. In order to learn more about Textile Exchange and the amazing work they do across the world, head to their website.

You can also learn more about us and our sustainability efforts here.

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– Prama Bhardwaj

Reflecting on our history

This International Women’s Day, we wanted to reflect a little on our history as a company, and our strong emphasis on gender equality from day one. We’ve been around for 21 years, and we’re still the only brand in our industry to be headed up by a woman. Prama, our founder and CEO, built Mantis World with the belief that a better industry, and a better world is possible. Fighting inequality wherever we can is a vital part of that mission.

Comfortable and safe working environment

Our team, including senior management, is mostly female. As a company we think it’s only right that everyone’s able to work in an environment in which they feel safe and comfortable. It might seem like little things, but a focus on female friendly policies in the office makes life easier for all the members of Team Mantis World. We understand that those with children require a certain flexibility. So we are happy to have created a culture of openness and support that allows everyone to voice their feelings. Plus, the temperature in the office is certainly set to one that suits everyone!

Passion for equality

But our passion for equality doesn’t stop at home. We understand that women are at the heart of textile production. However, too often they pay the greatest price in a historically unfair industry. It’s important for us to look at every step of the supply chain. This helps us to understand how we can help women and girls throughout.

Sourcing organic cotton from farm groups

Starting with raw materials, we source our organic cotton from farm groups which connect us with local farmers. By supporting them, they are able to provide stability and opportunity to their families. Most importantly, making a huge difference for girls and women in cotton growing communities. In 2019 we switched all the cotton in our production to organic. The more we buy, the more of a difference we can make in this way.

The women in our factories

Women make up the majority of the workers in our factories around the world. We provide support for them in meaningful ways that make a significant difference to their day to day lives. Maternity pay, sick pay and assistance with childcare are solid policies that help not just women, but also their families. Every country has its own unique challenges. However, we are committed to finding solutions that encourage gender equality wherever men and women work alongside one another.

Advocating for change

We have always believed in using our voice and our platform to advocate for change. Having a seat at the table brings with it enormous privilege, and we have used this to participate in working groups tackling gender-based violence. We’re also proud to have worked on programmes with our suppliers throughout our history to encourage more women to join the workforce.

The fight for gender equality in our industry

Our fight for gender equality in our industry is just as important as any of our other beliefs. In fact, it’s all connected. In conclusion, when we treat each other, and the planet, with kindness and respect, the industry and those throughout the supply chain benefit greatly.

Happy International Women’s day from everyone at Mantis World!

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Sunflag Tanzania Limited

Our founder, Prama, was born in East Africa. Her grandfather built many textile factories in the region – including Sunflag Tanzania Limited, where we make our Made in Africa collection. Set in spacious surroundings, the legacy of her grandfather’s love of gardening is reflected in the flowers and plants around the site. Prama has many happy memories throughout her life of time spent there with her family.

The People

The people who make our clothes are what make Sunflag so special. Being at the core of the community since the ’60s, the relationship and openness between management and the workforce encourages a friendly atmosphere, built on mutual trust and respect.

Everyone has a voice

We understand that food security can be a worry. That is why measures are taken to provide this for workers and their families. Perhaps most importantly, everyone has a voice and is actively involved in the workers unions. Moreover, they guarantee maternity and sick pay.

A vertical factory

Sunflag is a vertical factory meaning we do everything in the same location, cutting down on the footprint of our garments. All the water used in the manufacturing process is cleaned using an effluent treatment plant. Therefore, the water is free of any dyes or chemicals that could damage the eco-system.

Where does our organic cotton come from?

Sustainability and equality is at the heart of our African production. We work with Biosustain, a Tanzanian organisation dedicated to supporting farmers and their businesses at a local level. All our cotton is rain fed, which means we save water compared with regions that use irrigation. Moreover, transport from farm to ginnery is by ox and cart saving on carbon emitted by trucks used in other countries.

Sustainable and fair farming practices

By encouraging sustainable and fair farming practices, we can ensure we get the highest quality of organic African cotton whilst investing in the future of communities across the Singida, Simiyu and Tabora regions of Tanzania. To find out more about the wonderful work they do, just click here.

Staying true to our roots

Over the years, we have grown and now source all over the world, but we’ve vowed to stay true to our roots as a brand. We’ve learnt many valuable lessons in Africa which have shaped how we have done business over the last 20 years.

In conclusion when we say ‘Made in Africa’, we say it with love and pride.

In addition you can click here to see our full range of Made in Africa garments.

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Our hauliers have temporarily suspended transport from the UK to the EU, but we will be operational again as soon as we can be.

In the meantime, we would recommend contacting one of our European distributors. We have been working closely with them over the last few months to ensure there are good stock levels of Mantis World products available across Europe. Visit the Where to Buy page on our website to find your local distributor.

We hope this issue will be solved soon, and in the meantime please check back here for updates or feel free to get in touch with our customer service team at info@mantisworld.com

Best wishes from all of us, stay safe!

18/01/2021 UPDATE:

If ordering to the EU, please be aware we are experiencing delivery delays due to changes with customs paperwork. Our stock is held by a network of distributors across Europe, we recommend contacting them directly if your order is urgent.

Thank you for your understanding.

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