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S o c i é t é N o u ve l l e I n t e r p l u m e –B u y wi t h yo u r h e a r tSociété Nouvelle Interplume is situated in the Vendée province, Western France, one of the main areasof duck production in Europe. Interplume specializes in the treatment of feathers and down, natural byproducts recovered from the agri-food processing industry. Not involved in the finished products business, the company is a supplier to different sectors offering a complete range of products, from feathers
for upholstery & cushions, to the most sought-after down fillings for the bedding, apparel and technicalclothing sectors, including sport/outdoor clothing & accessories for extreme cold.

DOWNPASS talked to Enrico Bagetta, Sales Manager at Société Nouvelle Interplume.
What makes working with down and feathers so demanding and what do you pay particular attention toin production?
Down and feathers have to be handled very carefully: they require special washing, drying and sorting processes. They are thermo-regulating, naturally hypoallergenic, retaining superior qualities of softness and smoothness, eco-friendly.
We source directly from the region. The collection of the raw material is carriedout as it becomes available at the various sites throughout the day. In order toensure the highest quality of production, it is paramount to process the feathersin the shortest possible time. At SN Interplume, all feathers are washed and pro-

Photos: © Société Nouvelle Interplume–1–

DOWNPASS STARS: SOCIÉTÉ NOUVELLE INTERPLUME

cessed in less than 12 hours from pick-up, enabling to guarantee the perfect quality of the products withsanitizing and physical integrity after treatment.
While ensuring caring practices in the supply chain, we do the same forour production processes: A water treatment plant, green type (bacteriological), recycles our industrial needs. Indoor lights are all LED, for
2/3 less power than standard lights, and the outdoor lights are autonomous solar-powered streetlamps, zero grid-power. Thermal energy
and hot water are from our partners across the road, a biogas producing plant recycling local agri-food sector waste for its production.
What can down do better than other filling materials such as man-made fibers? What is Interplume's recipe for success?
Down is light and breathable and can absorb and releasemoisture. They are also completely biodegradable. Thus,
this natural product flows back into the natural cycle andleaves no "footprint" when the material reaches the endof its life cycle. Interplume only works with selected, regional partners and this has a positive effect on the ecobalance.
Interplume is an expert for down and feathers as fillingmaterial and does not produce any finished products itself. As a partner, you work closely with the clothing,bedding and furniture industries. How have the requirements for sustainability and animal welfare developed among your customers in recent years?
The greatest challenge is convincing a more significant
share of the market to privilege eco-responsible materials and products, and this includes manufacturers andEnrico Bagetta, Sales Manager
consumers alike. Lower price is often the first criteria thatbuyers apply – at least in our industry segment – with sustainability down the list after quality and traceability.
The key to change could be governmental initiatives encouraging green models of production. Perhaps TaxCredits, rewarding low-impact manufacturing, favouring goods made with environmentally and animalfriendly materials, promoting circular economy, hence costs reducing economies of scale to drive suchchange.
Eco-responsibility must be integrated within the industrial processes of every manufacturer to strengthen its
commitment towards the environment. Without it, the damage to the environment, already sizeable, willkeep growing significantly as well as its adverse effects on human, animal, and plant life.

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How important are independent certifications foryour success and why do you rely on the DOWNPASS seal as a label of animal welfare & quality?
Interplume has its supply chain and products monitored for quality and traceability by several independent certification organisations - this is a key
feature of our way of working. For us, this means
credibility and reliability.
Therefore, we are trying to influence people to buy
more with their heart, at a little higher cost perhaps, but driving home the need for ethical considerations to brands and manufacturers. Having aCertificate stating that you care for animal welfare
should go together with actions that demonstrate
the same level of care and commitment for all bionetworks. And we demonstrate that we are fulfilling this commitment via the DOWNPASS label.

Source: Downpass e.V.

Photos: © Société Nouvelle Interplume–3–