Japanese Sustainable Textile Manufacturer – Miyuki Keori(Wool Woven)-

In this issue, we would like to introduce Miyuki Keori Co., Ltd. which is a supplier of ApparelX and a sales agent for tailors and specialty stores, along with its commitment to manufacturing.

Miyuki Keori Co., Ltd. is one of Japan’s leading textile manufacturers with a very long history, established in 1905. Its main factory, the Yokkaichi Factory, aims to be an environmentally friendly company, and is committed to environmental conservation through a variety of initiatives. These efforts cover a wide range of initiatives that lead to the production of products that make use of nature’s blessings as they are, such as the use of natural soap, which is used as a raw material for wool itself and in the washing process, and the use of subterranean water (groundwater) that is not tap water.
Miyuki Keori aims to be “an environmentally friendly company. We will continue to make efforts to further reduce our environmental impact by making continuous improvements.

Initiatives at Miyuki Keori’s Yokkaichi Factory

“Processing – soap. “

Soap is very important to determine the texture of fabrics in the washing process.
Miyuki Keori still uses natural soap made from natural oils and fats without any additives, but in fact, natural soap is very difficult to use. When water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, a compound called soap scum tends to form, which is difficult to remove once it has been generated. . Natural soap takes a lot of time and effort to produce, but we believe it is essential for the best texture of clothing.
Many fabric manufacturers use synthetic detergents that have a high foaming rate, require only a small amount of detergent, and require only a small amount of water for rinsing.
Miyuki Keori believes that soap made from natural ingredients is the best choice for natural fiber wool.
Despite the low productivity and cost disadvantage, Miyuki Keori continues to use natural soap with pride and philosophy. After use, the natural soap is quickly broken down into water and carbon dioxide and returned to nature. Using natural soap is also an “ecological” way to use natural soap.

“Natural Wood Washing Rod.”

One of the symbols of Miyuki Keori eco-friendly and organic craftsmanship is the “natural wood washing stick”.
Scrubbing the surface of the wool with this washing stick during the washing process is a symbol of organic manufacturing.
The washing stick is made from a tree called “Asada” grown in Hokkaido, and Miyuki Keori takes the trouble to order it and have its jagged surface carved into the wood.
The handmade washing sticks are hand-carved one by one, and the Miyuki Keori consumes more than five of them a year. At first glance, this may seem inefficient, but natural wood is the best choice for the finish of the wash.

“Finishing works – water-“

All the water used is not ordinary tap water that has been chemically disinfected, but subterranean water from the Suzuka Mountains (i.e. groundwater). This is not costly and labor intensive disinfected water, but water that is pristine and can be obtained simply by digging in the ground. It is important for us to obtain water that is free of cost and labor when talking about the sustainability of Miyuki Keori. Of course, the water is purified through a number of wastewater treatment tanks and discharged through underground pipes.
The water from the Yokkaichi system is so clear and high quality that it has been selected as one of the “100 Best Waters” in Japan. The Chishaku-Yosui water that flows through the neighborhood is especially famous. The concentration of sake breweries in the area is another proof of the quality of the water.

Other Activities

They operate in accordance with the environmental management system standard, which conforms to the international standard ISO 14001.
They also cleared the transition audit for the 2015 edition, which significantly changed the content of the standard, and they renewed their registration certification in August 2018.

Safety and environmental assessment within the Group
As a member of the TOYOBO Group, to improve the level of safety and environmental management, Miyuki Keori is striving to maintain and improve the level of management by having its Global Environmental Promotion Committee conduct annual inspections based on a wide range of checklists stipulated by the company’s rules and regulations, and accepting on-site audits every three years.
Miyuki Keori has been confirmed as a company with a good safety and environmental management system and a very low risk of environmental impact.

Efforts to build a recycling-oriented society
The TOYOBO Group has been working towards a zero emissions target of “less than 1% of total waste to landfill” and the landfill rate for the Group was 0.64%.
Miyuki Keori does not generate any waste that needs to be landfilled, which is why our landfill rate is 0%.

Management of chemical substances
With the aim of identifying and reducing the risks of chemical substances used, we are working to replace or reduce the use of hazardous chemical substances, improve the work environment and the surrounding environment, and manage chemical substances in products.
Miyuki Keori is actively working to replace the perchloroethylene dry cleaning solvents it has been using in the past with alternatives that have less of an impact on the global environment, such as the use of C8 fluorine water repellent, which is expected to be regulated in the future.

Recycling as a means of sustainability
Miyuki Keori Weave has developed Mie’s Tea Girl Dye in 2018. They used the dregs of Japanese tea squeezed from Yokkaichi, which had previously been discarded, to dye the wool. This is one of the company’s contribution activities to the community.

Education and enlightenment activities to raise environmental awareness among employees and contribute to the community
They promote environmental education through their own curriculum, including in-house environmental seminars and environmental education for new employees.
In addition, to conserve energy in their offices, they are working to reduce CO2 emissions by ensuring that air-conditioning temperatures are set at 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) and 20 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Celsius) for cooling and 20 degrees Celsius for heating, promoting “Cool Biz” and “Warm Biz,” turning off lights frequently, and turning off electrical equipment when it is not needed.
Miyuki Keori is committed to maintaining relationships of trust with local communities as the basis of its corporate activities. The company believes that disclosing information and actively participating in local activities to maintain close communication are important. As part of these activities, approximately 140 children from local elementary schools visit our factory every year. In addition, Miyuki Keori employees participate in cleanup activities around the plant.
Some of the grounds are used as a field by employees, and the agricultural products produced at the Miyuki Keori Mill are used to decorate employees’ tables.

At the end

What did you think?

Please visit the website of Miyuki Keori Co.,Ltd.
As I wrote at the beginning of this article, Miyuki’s commitment to craftsmanship is packed in the company’s products.

If you are looking for high quality fabric woven in this Yokkaichi factory in Japan, please visit us at ApparelX!

Please take a look at the many MIYUKI fabrics for FW 2008 (autumn/winter).

If you have any requests for accessories, fabrics, or tailor’s tools, please feel free to contact us at ApparelX.