On March 19, the Grupo Herval, based in Dois Irmãos, RS, received its Gold-level certification from Origem Sustentável, the world’s only ESG certification program for companies in the footwear supply chain. The award was presented at the Fimec trade show in Novo Hamburgo, RS, and was attended by the leadership of both Grupo Herval and the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and Artifacts (Assintecal).

The company, which owns over 25 brands across various economic sectors, was certified for its strong performance in the environmental and social pillars of sustainability. In the environmental area, key highlights include the reuse and recycling of more than 11 tons of non-woven fabric and 1,500 kilograms of thread cones, as well as over 1 million kilograms of sawdust (which is converted into biomass fuel) and nearly 3 tons of cardboard annually. Furthermore, according to the group’s Sustainability Report, in 2023, it produced over 2.2 million kilograms of agglomerated foam, 100% of which came from reverse logistics or reuse processes.

Wastewater Treatment

The Herval Sustainability Report also states that in 2023, the group treated more than 21 million liters of effluent (industrial, sanitary, and from the cafeteria). Of this volume, 788,700 liters were reused in the workshop for washing the company’s vehicle fleet, and 276,600 liters were reused at the effluent treatment plant to dilute chemicals used in the treatment process.

Social Initiatives

In the social area, the Group supports two funds: one for children and adolescents (Funcriança) and another for the elderly (Fundo do Idoso). These initiatives finance programs and projects that promote the rights of children and the elderly. In total, eight organizations benefit from this support, including Apae Dois Irmãos, the ONG São Francisco de Assis, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Sociedade Lajeadense de Atendimento à Criança e Adolescente, Associação dos Funcionários do Grupo Herval, Hospital do Câncer de Pernambuco, Instituição Pella Bethânia, and Casa de Amparo Mão de Deus.

Through the Rouanet Law, Grupo Herval also supports the Natal dos Anjos Project in Dois Irmãos, the Dois Irmãos Book Fair, the Morro Reuter Book Fair, and the Kerb de São Miguel in Dois Irmãos.

Market Validation

The president of Grupo Herval, Agnelo Seger, emphasizes that the Origem Sustentável certification plays a fundamental role in proving the commitment of companies in the footwear supply chain to sustainability. “On a daily basis, various sustainable practices are adopted by organizations, but without a recognized certification, many of these actions go unnoticed by the market, limiting their impact and making it difficult for the company to differentiate itself from clients and partners,” says Seger. He believes that obtaining the certification not only validates a company’s good practices but also enhances its communication and market presence.

The Group

Founded in 1959, Grupo Herval is a nationwide company with a presence in all regions of Brazil and serving more than 20 countries. It employs nearly 7,000 people and operates over 25 brands in various segments, including industry, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, services, construction, and financial operations.

About Origem Sustentável

Created by Assintecal in partnership with the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in 2013, the Origem Sustentável program is based on the best international sustainability practices. It follows the guidelines of 104 indicators across five dimensions: economic, environmental, social, cultural, and sustainability management. The certified categories are: Diamond (+80% of indicators achieved); Gold (+60%); Silver (+40%); and Bronze (+20%). Audits are conducted by independent bodies such as SENAI, SGS, ABNT, Intertek, and Bureau Veritas. For more information, visit the website at www.origemsustentavel.org.br.