Lorpen, a brand known for its technical socks for mountaineering, has become a B Corp company after a rigorous evaluation determined it is making a positive impact on society and the environment. The B-Lab seal designates ‘Companies with a Purpose’ around the world that are committed to environmental, social and economic well-being.

The brand was evaluated in five impact areas - workers, the environment, clients, governance, and community - and it got a score of 95.7 points, well above the average for companies that are evaluated (50.9), and easily surpassing the bar of 80 points, the minimum to be certified.

“We’re extremely happy about this achievement and very proud. Because it’s a recognition that we’re doing things the right way,” commented Jokin Umerez, General Director of the Ternua Group, which Lorpen belongs to.

To keep their certification, every three years B Companies are reevaluated according to the B Lab standards, which in turn are always evolving and improving. “It’s a milestone on a journey of continuous improvement that we started a long time ago. And, as a B Corp, we’re committed to continuing to implement the changes needed that let us get closer to our goal of becoming a better company, aligning our values with our business mission even more. We’re always looking for ways to operate as ethically as possible, reducing our negative impact and increasing the positive impact on our staff, society and planet. Our motto is “change priorities”, and our purpose is to contribute to keeping the life cycle going, protecting, creating, advancing and returning”, Umerez added.

Innovation and Sustainability Director Edu Uribesalgo emphasised that: “Obtaining B Corp certification is the outcome of implementing and following through on actions related with the sustainability strategy we’ve been driving through the company’s sustainability committee, which includes workers from different areas of the company. It’s a yardstick along the way and a confirmation of a shared responsibility, not just in regard to the product, but in all the organization’s areas of impact. We take on our responsibility with society and future generations, and we act accordingly.”

Since 2006, the B Movement has been promoting a change in the economic system by creating standards, policies, tools and programs that change the behaviour, culture and structure of capitalism. And they have mobilized the B Company community to take collective action to face society’s most critical challenges: achieving an inclusive, fair and regenerative economy that serves everyone. B Lab is the non-profit organization at the service of this global movement that aims to transform the economic system.  Today, there are more than 8200 companies in 96 different countries from 162 industries that are rowing in the same direction under B Corp certification. There are only 260 in Spain.

Another step along the path of sustainability

Lorpen has been manufacturing technical socks for mountaineering for 25 years. It designs and produces products at its factory in Extalar, Navarre that are distributed in more than 60 countries through agents and distributors. The Lorpen factory has ISO 14001 environmental certification, and it should be highlighted that 100% of the electricity consumed is from renewable origins.

Currently, in addition to socks the company makes next to skin garments, which are products that are in contact with the skin, like thermal t-shirts and pants. Thanks to its technological development and using natural and recycled materials, the brand has been recognised for its quality and sustainable innovation.

Lorpen was a pioneer in creating T3 layer technology, using flat seams on the toe, and using Polartec Power Stretch in its highest performance models.It won the ISPO Award in 2022 for its Biowarmer socks, which were the first socks on the market made with biodegradable textiles.

Leaders in Spain with its own presence in North America, Lorpen also sponsors high-level athletes and protects the feet of snowboard monitors at ski resorts around North America as a technical sponsor of the PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors). Likewise, it has a collaboration agreement with the FFCAM (Fédération française des clubs alpins et de montagne), and it is part of the Ternua Group, which includes other brands like Ternua, Astore, Loreak Mendian and Ternua Workwear.

Around 50 people work in Extalar, 70% of the staff is local and 75% are women. Committed to circularity, Lorpen collaborates with several auto companies by giving them their waste textiles and defective products from their workshops so they can be given a second life, specifically as car insulation.

www.ternuagroup.com