How a Safety Footwear Manufacturer is Transforming its Environmental Communication Through LCA
In a context where B2B companies face growing demands for environmental transparency, Lemaitre Sécurité, a French safety footwear manufacturer, has chosen to adopt a methodical and rigorous approach. Their partnership with Peftrust illustrates how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools and Eco-design can transform not only a company’s communication, but also its internal processes.
Market Pressure Becomes Corporate Conviction
“Initially, it was mainly a client demand,” explains Manuela, modelling manager at Lemaitre. But this initial motivation quickly transformed into deep commitment. “It’s actually rather personal. We must make every effort for the environment, to save the planet.”
This evolution reflects a broader trend in the B2B sector. As Cynthia, marketing manager, emphasises: “All our clients ask us loads of questions about LCA, eco-design, all our environmental policies. And there, the Peftrust software remains a real advantage for us because I know that all our colleagues don’t have the possibility to generate an LCA sheet that gives the different impacts.”
From Regulation to Concrete Action
The company developed its internal LSG label to identify its eco-designed products, an approach validated retrospectively by Peftrust. “The model was created beforehand,” Cynthia specifies, “but it confirmed that we had taken the right steps and made the right selection of eco products to launch the range.”
This pragmatic approach intensified with the arrival of regulations such as the AGEC law in France. “Right, everyone’s on board now. All our clients are asking us for everything,” confirms Cynthia, illustrating how regulatory pressure catalyses sector transformation.
A Tool That Transforms Internal Processes
The adoption of Peftrust created a cascade of organisational changes at Lemaitre:
• Impact on Purchasing: “It changed the data we ask from our suppliers,” explains Manuela. “We created a process we didn’t have before. We didn’t necessarily have supplier technical sheets that we request as soon as we create a new material reference.”
• Communication Transformation: The company recently integrated all LCA information on its website for modelled products. “It allows for quicker communication. The client can see directly,” notes Cythia.
• Fighting Greenwashing: The team had to rethink its marketing communication. “We had to modify logos. We modified texts. We changed the graphic charter a bit,” details Cynthia, underlining the importance of avoiding misleading terms and visuals.
The Challenges of Eco-Design in the Sector
Lemaitre faces obstacles specific to its industry:
• Material Availability: “The search for recycled materials isn’t simple. Not everyone makes them,” testifies Manuela, citing the example of a 100% recycled lining supplier who ceased production.
• Regulatory Constraints: “We are subject to a standard that allows us to sell shoes on the market. We can’t take just any material,” explains Cynthia.
• Local Sourcing: The company favours European and Mediterranean suppliers, thus limiting its options but remaining consistent with its overall environmental approach.
Pragmatic and Evolving Usage
Currently, Lemaitre uses Peftrust primarily for communication rather than for upstream eco-design. “We use it more to communicate today, more than to eco-design. That’s step 1. And step 2 will be product eco-design,” specifies Cynthia.
The Importance of Expert Support
A crucial aspect highlighted by the team is the support provided by Peftrust. “These are still complex subjects. And being guided by a team that knows the subject, that’s capable of answering all our questions, that’s aware of all regulations, that helps,” testifies Cynthia.
Advice to Industry Peers
For Manuela, the message is clear: “It shouldn’t be a constraint. You have to see it positively, it’s for everyone’s future, not necessarily ours, but our descendants’.” Cynthia adds an important warning: “Find a reliable solution that’s based on verified data and also respect what was requested by the European Commission […] It’s really about being humble in the approach and respecting your colleagues and not necessarily trying to tell all sorts of nonsense.”
Conclusion: A Transformation in Progress
Lemaitre Sécurité’s experience with Peftrust perfectly illustrates the transition that many B2B companies are experiencing. Starting from a client constraint, the approach transformed into deep conviction, modifying internal processes and company culture.
Their pragmatic approach—starting with communication before integrating the tool into design—offers a realistic model for companies wishing to embark on this path. As Cynthia summarises: “It’s a certain awakening. Before, we just sought to manufacture […] Now, we’re starting to tell ourselves that we must do something, we can’t continue like this.”
About Lemaitre Sécurité: French safety footwear manufacturer, the company has invested in new eco-responsible infrastructure since 2016 and developed the LSG label for its eco-designed products.
About Peftrust: Peftrust is an environmental impact management solution designed for the fashion industry. We help brands move from rough estimates to precise data, product by product, to measure, improve and communicate their environmental performance. From SKU to strategy, we combine the best LCA software, verified data and expert support to accelerate fashion’s sustainable transition.
