We exclusively use tested dyestuffs and chemical auxiliaries of renowned suppliers from Germany and Switzerland to treat and dye our yarns.
The decision criterion is among other things the certification according to "Öko Tex-Standard 100, textiles certified free from harmful substances" (product class I ? suitable for babies). Only those textiles are certified accordingly which pass comprehensive analytical tests. We permanently update our comprehensive internal data base through safety data sheets. In this data base all the ecological data of the products are saved, for example the water-polluting class. Therefore, the variety of products offered can be compared according to their ecological impact and decisions can be made faster.

Water consumption is considerable in the yarn finishing industry. We get our process water from our own fountain and treat it on our premises so that we can save valuable drinking water. Due to permanent process optimisation, we are able to dye with considerably shorter liquor ratios. This means that the average water consumption during the past 17 years could be reduced from 92 l/kg dyed yarn to only 67 l.
The Federal Environment Agency called the newly designed waste water decolourization plant which we put into operation in 2003 exemplary regarding the environment. By measuring the electrical conductivity, a segregated stream is discharged and decoloured with a cationic precipitant in a flotation plant. Because of the segregated stream, only about 4 % of the whole waste water has to be decoloured. Therefore, this method is extremely efficient and saves resources.
We get the necessary waste water data from the detailed records of our internal waste water measuring station and from our internal laboratory.

A highly effective heat recovery plant enables us to regain more than 54 % of the overall heat energy into TVU?s system. This correspondents to a saving of about 1 million litres of heating oil per year. The heat is transferred from the hot treatment liquors to fresh water through plate heat exchangers. Furthermore, the heat loss is diminished by the strong insulation of all the relevant pipelines and machines. The heat consumption for dyed yarn has decreased from 3.78 kWh/kg dyed yarn in 1990 to only 2.21 kWh at present. Since December 2007 the heat energy has been generated by a biomass heat plant of 3.25 MW. This plant is fired by chips of wood. For peak load periods an oil-fired heater of 3.2 MW is available. As a result of the biomass heat plant, the emission of carbon dioxide could be reduced by more than 80 % compared to the former oil heating plant.

In spite of increasing automation, TVU?s power consumption is low compared to other companies of the sector. One of the reasons is our participation in the European energy saving program. Moreover, it is among other things the result of optimal machine drives and new, speed-controlled engines. We are also able to reduce energy costs by switching off several machines automatically during current peaks and by switching off the transformer at weekends. Finally we use lamps with reflectors as well as highly efficient fluorescent tubes.

For years internal residues have been separated at collection places spread all over our premises. Type, quantity and utilization of the recyclable and residual waste respectively are precisely registered in statistics. The quantity of residual waste has been reduced by almost 85% since 1988.

While trying to offer our employees a safe job with good prospects for the future, we especially focus on our employees? creativity, interdepartmental cooperation and sense of responsibility. Furthermore, we support our employees through our cooperative management on their way to a more entrepreneural working style. Teamwork, a friendly working atmosphere and a cooperation that is based on mutual respect are essential requirements. As a result, there is low fluctuation in the entire company and a high quality standard in our production.

The employee is involved in any activity. Our employees develop ideas and create initiatives like the health circle. Those plans are fulfilled together with the managing board. The AOK (German health insurance company) has provided training courses in order to relieve the employees from back pain at work and to improve their health.

Besides, we set high value on training all our employees. Together with our middle management, our suppliers and the textile academy in Münchberg we update and enhance the existing knowlegde. This learning process is permanently oriented to technical and economic requirements. The process optimisation enables the respective employees to perform more challenging tasks and to use the laboratory dispenser, the colour management system or the new CHD machine (automatic dosing station for chemicals and chemical auxiliaries).

Training young people is very important to TVU. At present we have 17 trainees trained in seven professions. Many of today?s key employees started their career as TVU trainees. Investing in young people is not only an economic decision, but also a way of giving back to the local community. The employees are the assets of TVU. Due to their commitment, their high motivation and their broad knowledge, TVU is a reliable partner for its customers.