Benetton becomes first European fashion firm to join IWTO

Benetton Group, one of the best-known fashion companies in the world, has become the first European fashion company to gain membership with the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO).

Benetton’s decision to join IWTO further underlines the central role of knitwear and wool in its overall strategy.

Benetton will make its IWTO debut at the Organisation's upcoming Annual Congress from May 3-5 2017 in Harrogate, England. "We are the first European fashion company to join IWTO," said Marco Airoldi, chief executive of Benetton Group. "This is a new first and a further demonstration of the ethical approach which is at the heart of Benetton Group, a company for whom social commitment, caring for the environment, a well-monitored supply chain and transparency towards the consumer are the core values of a model of responsibility that goes above and beyond our commercial objectives."

IWTO membership will enable Benetton Group to strengthen its commitment to sustainability and transparency in the supply chain, setting in motion a continuous dialogue with the main players of the wool industry and allowing the Group to participate actively in discussions on current important issues, such as wool recycling, research on yarn quality and the application of animal welfare principles within the wool industry supply chain.

"Benetton Group is the first corporate retail brand to join the IWTO. We very much welcome this significant addition to our membership," IWTO president Peter Ackroyd said.