Outdoor Brand Cortazu Gets B-Corp Certified, Aims To Regreen 5 Million M² Of Land
Cortazu is a Netherlands-based company committed to ethical manufacturing, re-greening the planet, and delivering the finest-quality outerwear products. Cortazu’s objective is clear: to regreen 5 million m² land. With their sustainability mission, they are the first Dutch outdoor brand to achieve a B Corp certification and recently they launched a new collection of sustainable outdoor clothing for skiing, hiking and everyday use.
Cortazu was founded in 2017 by three founders with a passion for the outdoors and a shared mission: to green 5 million m² of land and inspire 50,000 people to enjoy the outdoors. As a Dutch outdoor brand, they sell high-quality technical clothing for skiing, hiking, and everyday use.
They say: "Each product is designed in-house by a team of outdoor experts. We focus on the tiny details, from hidden pockets to embroidered logos on our cuffs. We only buy the best materials on the market and do whatever it takes to help you get the best experience possible when braving the elements.
"One particular award that we are proud to mention is ISPO 2019. At the world's largest trade fair for outerwear, we were selected by a jury of 43 judges and awarded gold for our recycled nylon jacket. Combining sustainability and functionality without compromising style and performance will always be the goal for our products. The journey to making better things in a better way is a long one, and we’re just getting started.
"Cortazu doesn't exist just to sell outerwear products. We're here to activate people to create their own adventures while supporting the world around us. It's our goal to cool down the planet and preserve its natural beauty.
"In order to drive positive change for the planet, we’ve divided our strategy into three key areas: 1) Minimize impact, 2) Ethical manufacturing, 3) Restore nature.
"Something we are particularly proud of is our partnership with Justdiggit. Together we are re-greening land with the ultimate goal to cool down the planet. Because if we can warm up the earth, we can also cool it down."
Cortazu is leading the transition to a more sustainable apparel industry by providing outdoor fans with durable and ethical clothing alternatives. Alternatives that make the planet greener, one square meter at a time.
For every product sold, Cortazu regreens land at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya. To do so, Cortazu has partnered with Justdiggit, a non-profit organization that fights global warming by building ‘water bunds’ in Africa. Water bunds capture rainwater and make large areas of dry land green, which benefits nature, people and our climate.
Sustainability is ingrained in Cortazu's DNA. “We are constantly evolving and trying to find innovative ways to keep improving both our product and our brand, whether through sustainable production or our social commitment,” - says co-founder Wiebe Poelmann.
Realizing the negative impact of nylon on the environment, Cortazu developed the world's first 3-layer outdoor jacket made of 100% recycled nylon in 2019. Thanks in part to this innovation, Cortazu received an ISPO Gold Award for the best product in the outdoor category, after being chosen by a jury panel of 43 judges. The ISPO is the world's largest trade fair for the outdoor industry.
Cortazu's mission and contribution to a better world has not gone unnoticed. The company has achieved an official B Corp certification and is now recognized as one of the leaders reshaping the landscape of sustainable and ethical manufacturing:
“Thanks to this certification, customers can be assured that they are not only contributing to our mission to regreen land, but also that our production process meets the highest social and environmental standards. In doing so, we hope to set an example for our industry and we are proud to be part of a global community accelerating this positive change.” - says co-founder Wouter de Roy.
Having previously developed an ISPO Award winning product, the brand is now launching a brand new collection of sustainable outerwear, enriched with ethically made, comfortable and sustainable jackets. Recycled components are used in every product of the new collection. The insulation for the new mid-layer jackets is even made entirely from recycled water bottles
More information about Cortazu can be found on thee official website.
