Fibran Sur expands its operations with Late Indumentaria, focusing on sustainable work clothing made from recycled materials in Córdoba, Argentina.
Fibran Sur, a company with decades of experience in textile recycling, has accelerated its expansion with the launch of a new business unit called Late Indumentaria in June 2024, aimed specifically at the Córdoba region of Argentina. This initiative aligns with the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability through the production of work clothing crafted from recycled materials.
The firm operates two industrial plants located in Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires province, and in Catamarca, previously operated by Alpargatas. The new unit will focus on producing garments from fabrics that undergo a recycling process to transform them into new fibers. As Javier Toranzo, head of the Commercial Area of Late Indumentaria, explained, the company specializes in both knitted and woven fabrics. Knitted materials are used primarily for t-shirts and sweatshirts, while woven materials cater to a wider variety of products including shirts, pants, bags, jackets, and leather goods.
Fibran Sur’s commitment to circularity involves sourcing table bank waste from various locations across Argentina. These materials are sorted based on color and fabric before being processed in their facilities. Toranzo pointed out that Late Indumentaria specifically addresses the needs of private companies and municipalities that are interested in implementing circular economy practices. He stated, “We focus on companies that are interested in sustainable products,” mentioning partnerships with municipal initiatives like BioCórdoba, which promotes recycling in collaboration with the Municipal School of Circular Economy.
The initiative is designed to help companies seeking traceable garments and to provide sustainable inventory solutions. At the manufacturing level, Fibran Sur’s Buenos Aires and Catamarca facilities manage the coarser woven items, while the Córdoba site is dedicated to the increasing demand for knitted clothing.
Toranzo highlighted the various partnerships that Late Indumentaria has already established with local businesses such as Grido and Híper Libertad. Notably, once these work garments reach the end of their useful life, they can be reintroduced into the recycling cycle to produce new fibers, which are then utilized in creating new clothing.
The firm’s product lineup features essential items such as cargo pants in basic colors including black, navy blue, green, and khaki, alongside coordinating shirts. As the brand expands its market presence, knitted items like t-shirts are becoming a significant component, in addition to sweatshirts, jackets, and accessories.
Regarding pricing, Toranzo noted that their offerings are very competitive, with plans to further penetrate the corporate market. He indicated a projection for 2026 aimed at enhancing their sustainable clothing portfolio.
In recognition of their dedication to quality, Fibran Sur has received the prestigious Inti seal from the National Institute of Industrial Technology, which verifies the traceability of their recycled textile processes. This certification confirms that textile waste collected from cooperatives or private companies is processed with a marked emphasis on traceability.
Employing between 250 and 300 staff combined with external sales representatives, Fibran Sur also collaborates with various cooperatives in Córdoba. Toranzo emphasized the importance of these partnerships, especially highlighting their work with Las Omas, an organization aimed at generating labor opportunities. He concluded by addressing common perceptions about recycled products, stating, “It is essential to break the prejudice that recycled or sustainable products are of poor quality. It took us a long time to change that paradigm.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
