Our first DaunenStep Sustainability Report

Why DaunenStep decided to draw up the Sustainability Report (even though it was not mandatory)

The word sustainability is everywhere: in advertising, on labels, on social media. But for us at DaunenStep it is not a trendy slogan, it is a concrete responsibility.

This is precisely why we chose to draw up our Sustainability Report, even though we are under no regulatory obligation to do so.

We did it because we believe that, after more than a century of history, we should make public and tell how we produce, with which materials, with what impact on the environment and how much attention we devote to the people who work with us and who choose our products.

We did not do it “because we had to”.

We did it because we feel it is our duty to do our part.

Who DaunenStep is today: comfort, quality and responsibility

Founded in 1907, DaunenStep is a leading company in the production of down duvets, pillows and feather toppers, as well as in the marketing of high-quality home linens, an authentic expression of Made in Italy.

Our identity is founded on three pillars:

• Artisanal tradition
• Attention to detail
• Certified quality

Every product is created to guarantee long-lasting comfort and quality rest, because our promise – yesterday as today – is simple and ambitious: to take care of people’s sleep, health and well-being.

In addition to our collections, we are also the exclusive distributor in Italy of the Vossen brand, one of the most recognised European brands in terry and home textiles.

Behind every duvet, every quilt and every pillow, there is:

• a careful selection of suppliers and raw materials,
• internal tests and laboratory analyses,
• the creation of samples, sometimes evaluated with the support of agents and customers,
• an artisanal production process that allows each individual item to be checked, ensuring consistent and traceable quality.

Why a Sustainability Report if it is not mandatory?

This is one of the first questions we are asked.

The answer is twofold:

1. Transparency towards those who choose us

   More and more people want to know how the products they bring into their homes are made: where the down comes from, which certifications exist and what the environmental impacts are.

   The Sustainability Report is our way of providing clear, data-backed answers.

2. Responsibility towards the future

   Operating in a sector linked to well-being, rest and the home means taking care of the environment and people as well, not only of the products.

   We have chosen to measure our impact in order to reduce it in a concrete way and to set targets for improvement over time.

In other words: no one imposed this on us, but it no longer seemed enough to us to “do good work” in silence.

We wanted to make our efforts visible, verifiable and shareable.

Where does our down come from? How do we protect animals?

When talking about down duvets and pillows, the question is inevitable:

“Is down ethical? Are the animals treated with respect?”

In our Sustainability Report and in our daily operations we respond as follows:

• We use down certified according to the OEKO-TEX® standard, to protect consumer health and the environment.
• We are active members of the European Down and Feather Association (EDFA) and adhere to its animal welfare principles, which exclude cruel practices.
• We rely exclusively on suppliers who certify:
  • the absence of live-plucking of animals (non live-pluck down),
  • feathers sourced from animals slaughtered for food consumption or legally collected during the natural seasonal moulting process.

In addition, all down-filled DaunenStep products are NOMITE certified, confirming their suitability even for people allergic to house dust.

This means that our products combine:

• comfort and performance,
• attention to health,
• respect for animal welfare.

What are we doing for the environment?

Environmental sustainability is not a separate chapter of our business: it is a guiding principle.

We are aware that climate change is one of the main challenges of our time and, for this reason, we have launched a structured path to reduce our environmental impact, focusing above all on energy and emissions.

The numbers of our energy commitment

In 2024, DaunenStep recorded:

• 2,081.33 GJ of total energy consumption
• 117.68 tCO₂eq
• 14.34 tCO₂eq

With significant results compared to 2023:

• -17.94% in total energy consumption
• -47.68% in emissions

In addition, today:

• the electricity we use comes 100% from certified renewable sources.

The concrete measures implemented

In recent years we have invested in technologies and infrastructure to make our sites more efficient:

• 2023 – Installation of a photovoltaic system of around 27 kWp at the Auna di Sotto site
• 2023 – Replacement of a gas oil boiler that had been in use for over twenty years with a new, high-efficiency 205 kW system
• 2024 – Installation of a 117 kWp photovoltaic system
• 2024 – Replacement of the gas boiler with an electric heat pump for climate control of the premises

These are choices that require investment, planning and time, but they allow us to:

• reduce emissions,
• increase the share of energy produced from renewable sources,
• make our sites more modern and aligned with our long-term vision.

What role do people play at DaunenStep?

When we talk about sustainability, we are not only talking about the environment.

For us, people are at the heart of the project.

In a constantly evolving context, our team is the key element for facing today’s challenges and building the future of the company.

For this reason, we invest in:

• training programmes designed to develop technical and soft skills;
• personnel management policies consistent with our values and the principles of sustainability;
• a working environment based on respect, collaboration and continuity.

In 2022 we received the Top Company Award as an employer-friendly company from the leading HR consultancy firm in South Tyrol: a recognition that confirms our commitment to organisational well-being.

Is it just communication or are there commitments for the future?

Another question often associated with sustainability is:

“Is this a snapshot of the present or a real commitment to the future?”

For us, the Sustainability Report is not a finishing line, but:

• a measurement tool,
• a starting point for future objectives,
• a public commitment to those who work with us, to the local area and to our customers.

DaunenStep operates in a complex global context, marked by changes:

• environmental,
• economic,
• social.

In this context we aim to:

• strengthen a business model based on the creation of shared value,
• continue to combine quality, ethics and respect for the environment,
• ensure that sustainability guides every daily process: from the selection of suppliers to production technologies, through to the relationship with our employees.

Our goal is clear:
to build a better future for people and for the planet, starting from what we do best: taking care of sleep, responsibly.

Because sustainability is never an individual destination: it is a journey that is built together, day after day.