SUSTAINABILITY AT FORTIS
Built in Britain. Engineered with Purpose.
Our Responsibility
The clothing industry is one of the most environmentally damaging industries in the world.
- Responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions
- Produces over 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually
- A major contributor to microplastics in our oceans
At Fortis, we do not sit outside of this.
We operate within it and take full responsibility for how we impact it.
Because we are not removed from the land.
We live and work in the environments our clothing is designed for. What we do here matters.
Our Approach
Sustainability at Fortis is not a marketing exercise.
It is built into every decision we make:
- What we design
- What we source
- How we manufacture
- How long our garments last
We regularly invest tens of thousands of pounds into materials and processes to reduce environmental impact even when it comes at the expense of profit.
We believe doing the right thing is not optional.
British Manufacturing First
We prioritise sourcing and manufacturing within the UK wherever possible.
Why this matters:
- Reduces transport emissions
- Ensures full transparency in production
- Supports British industry and rural employment
- Maintains high environmental and ethical standards
Every Fortis garment begins at home.
PFAS-Free by Design
We have taken a clear position:
No PFAS. No “forever chemicals”.
PFAS are widely used in the clothing industry for water repellency, but:
- They do not break down in the environment
- They accumulate in soil, water, wildlife and people
- They create long-term environmental damage
Fortis garments are designed without them.
This means:
- Cleaner waterways
- Safer ecosystems
- Responsible performance without compromise
Zero Waste to Landfill
We operate a strict commitment:
Nothing from Fortis or our farm goes to landfill.
All waste is handled through Devon Zero Waste
In practice:
- Waste is sorted and managed responsibly
- Materials are recycled, reused, or recovered
- No waste is simply discarded
This ensures accountability for everything we produce.
Materials: Turning Waste into Performance
We actively design demand for waste materials — because waste only reduces when it has value.
All Fortis waterproof technology is made using 100% recycled materials.
Our waterproof systems are engineered not only for performance, but for responsibility, transforming waste into high-performance protection without compromise.
Examples across our range:
- Stowaway Jacket → made using recycled fishing line
- Jackal Jacket → made using recycled fishing nets
- Ranger Jacket & Field Trousers → made using recycled polyester from coastal plastic waste
- Insulation from Clo Insulation → using recycled ocean plastic bottles
Why this matters:
- Reduces ocean and landfill waste
- Supports circular material systems
- Turns environmental damage into high-performance garments
Made to Order: Reducing Waste at Source
Unlike most clothing brands, we do not produce large volumes of stock in the hope it will sell.
We produce what is sold — not what might sell.
Our Made to Order system is fundamental to reducing waste:
- No overproduction
- No excess stock sitting unused
- No unnecessary fabric waste
- No wasted energy on unsold garments
This approach directly reduces:
- Textile waste
- Carbon footprint
- Resource consumption
A Different Way of Buying
This system requires something simple:
Patience and understanding from our customers.
In return, they receive something far more valuable:
- A garment made specifically for them
- Access to a wider range of:
- Sizes
- Colours
- Adjustments
- Custom options
Rather than limiting choice to what is sitting on a shelf, we offer flexibility without waste.
The Result
- Less waste created
- More considered production
- Better-fitting, longer-lasting garments
This is not the fastest way to produce clothing.
But it is the responsible one.
Responsible Manufacturing
We continuously invest in improving how we produce.
What we are doing:
- Upgrading machinery for maximum efficiency
- Reducing production waste through smarter systems
- Monitoring operational impact, including logistics and travel
Every stage is questioned:
- Can it be more efficient?
- Can it produce less waste?
- Can it be done better?
Renewable Energy
Fortis operates on:
100% renewable energy
Including:
- Solar generation on our farm buildings
- Supporting factory and operational energy use
Next phase:
- Rainwater harvesting across the farm, factory, and facilities
Land, Farming & Biodiversity
Fortis is based on working land.
We take that responsibility seriously.
Current and planned initiatives:
- Creation of wildflower meadows
- Installation of bee hives and pollinator habitats
- Active land management to improve biodiversity
We work alongside:
- East Devon National Landscape
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
- British Association for Shooting and Conservation
Our aim:
To show that responsible land management and wildlife conservation can work together.
Regenerative Approach
We are actively exploring and implementing regenerative land management programmes across the farm.
This means:
- Improving soil health
- Increasing biodiversity
- Enhancing natural ecosystems
- Working with the land, not against it
Our goal is long-term:
To leave the land in a better condition than we found it.
Hedgerow Restoration Initiative
We are undertaking a major environmental project:
Transforming over 15 miles of traditional fencing into natural hedgerows.
This is not cosmetic. It is ecological infrastructure.
Why Hedgerows Matter
Hedgerows are one of the most important — and often overlooked — habitats in the British countryside.
They provide:
- Wildlife corridors Allowing animals to safely move between habitats
- Shelter and nesting sites Supporting birds, small mammals, and insects
- Pollinator support Essential for bees and other species critical to ecosystems
- Natural windbreaks Protecting soil and improving land resilience
- Carbon capture Absorbing and storing CO₂ over time
In simple terms:
A hedgerow does far more for biodiversity than a fence ever can.
Active Biodiversity Projects
Alongside hedgerow restoration, we are implementing:
- Wildflower meadow creation
- Bee hives and pollinator habitats
- Land management focused on species recovery
We work alongside:
- East Devon National Landscape
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
- British Association for Shooting and Conservation
Our Role
We believe responsible land management is not optional.
It is a duty.
The countryside is not just where our products are used — it is where they are born.
Accreditations & Standards
Fortis operates to recognised environmental and material standards, including:
- OEKO-TEX® certified materials
- Soil Association aligned practices
These ensure:
- Responsible chemical use
- Safer materials
- Trusted sourcing standards
The Reality
We are not perfect.
But we are committed.
Every decision down to thread, trims, and seam sealing tape is made with environmental impact in mind.
We will continue to improve, invest, and evolve.
Why It Matters
When you buy Fortis, you are not just buying clothing.
You are supporting:
- British manufacturing
- Responsible material sourcing
- Waste reduction and circular systems
- Wildlife conservation and land stewardship
PFAS-free. Zero landfill. British-made. Built to last.This is not a target — it is how weoperate.