Reference for companies seeking scientific and practical tools for sustainability monitoring and management. The company based in Ospedaletto (PI) is much more than just an analysis laboratory: in fact, over the years, it has been able to diversify its activities in order to meet the needs of a demanding clientele and a constantly evolving market. A group of interconnected companies covering different areas of work, but united by a single goal: to provide state-of-the-art products and specialized services. We met with Giulia Cecchi, daughter of the founder and marketing area manager, who explained in more detail not only the history of this all-Italian reality, but also the most interesting solutions launched on the market.
What can you tell us regarding the structure of ARCHA Srl?
We consider ARCHA as a group because it actually consists of 4 interconnected companies.
These include ARCHA SRL, which recently changed its name from the original Laboratori ARCHA, established in 1989, and carries out Research, Development and Innovation on behalf of companies; ARCHALAB SRL that is the analytical laboratory that offers testing and testing services; TECHA SRL that deals with the industrialization of the group’s research results, production of chemical products and development of specialized software for laboratories and the environment; and ARCHADEMY SRL, a training agency accredited by the Tuscany Region and a true academy for the growth of the skills of all personnel.
Let’s take a step back, when was Laboratori Archa founded?
Laboratori Archa was founded in 1989 by my father, Dr. Antonio Cecchi, an industrial chemist. The company was born right from the start as an analytical laboratory, a decidedly avant-garde choice for the time, as interests and attention to environmental aspects had only just begun. From 1989 to the present day, after 33 years, not only has the community’s approach to environmental issues, health in the workplace, and the continuous search for innovation for its business changed, but the way of “working a laboratory” has also changed. It is a mutation that has seen ARCHA, and all its technicians, ready and receptive to change and that has opened wide the doors to innovation, automation, and research not only for the group of companies but also for customers.
Since 2015 ARCHA has experienced exponential growth in many ways, as confirmed by the increase in the number of employees, the significant increase in turnover, accredited analyses, and the wide network of relationships. Therefore from the Archa Laboratories of 33 years ago we have become today a modern, technologically advanced company able to offer not only Testing and Testing Services but solution for innovation and business growth: that is why we changed the name to ARCHA.
How long have you been working with companies in the tanning industry?
Several tanneries have been part of our client network for years now, especially since the Santa Croce sull’Arno district is not very far from our headquarters. In other words, we are very familiar with the management problems and critical issues in the sector. We are always ready to help both our clients and to safeguard our territory: this is why we can offer brands and companies tools capable of meeting their sustainability requirements. A number of patents we have in our patent portfolio that protect ideas and products for environmentally sustainable tanning also fall under this umbrella.
In this regard, concepts such as sustainability and circularity have become increasingly essential in recent years: no longer just a trend to follow, but a compulsory choice.
In the tanning industry, as in many other sectors, if someone proposes an innovation, everyone else cannot afford to stay behind. Tanneries must adapt to this increasingly insistent demand for sustainability. However, this concept is often applied only to the product, but we cannot deny that sustainability must start with the process. Only that it is not that easy to keep up. This is why, we continue to invest in research, an ongoing effort that has led to the development of so many solutions that allow us to monitor, in a concrete and scientific way, process sustainability. For example, we have developed an automatic real-time sensor system for continuous monitoring of wastewater parameters and atmospheric emissions (a system called Syrio), so that we always have a complete view of the situation, can process LCA assessments more objectively and intervene effectively and promptly in case of misalignments.
What other solutions can you propose to your clientele?
We have invested heavily in the biodegradability lab and the concept of biodegradable leather, an issue that affects not only finished articles, but also, and more importantly, processing waste. Producing biodegradable hides promotes the circular economy mechanism, also ensuring more sustainable management of processing waste, and thus providing a solution to a real problem. The biodegradability of leathers is first tested in our specialized laboratory and then certified by a label, blue or green: the first refers to biodegradability in wastewater, while the second refers to biodegradability in industrial composting plants. These brands, Biodegradable Leather®, were launched in March 2021 and presented at the September edition of Lineapelle that year. The show held in February 2022, on the other hand, saw the launch of an additional brand named iVirty®.
What does the iVirty project consist of?
First, let me take a step back. Ours is the only laboratory in Italy recognized by TUV Austria for all biodegradability schemes for plastic materials. In this specific area we are really unbeatable and, over the years, we have acquired highly qualified know-how, skills that we decided to put at the service of the tanning sector. Since there is no specific regulation for leather biodegradability, we have developed a technical specification for tanneries that is also recognized by the University of Pisa. After passing tests and analysis carried out by us, the process involves the intervention of a third-party certifying body, Certiquality, which carries out a final audit at the company. If successful, the tannery obtains certification of its biodegradable leather with the Biodegradable Leather® mark.
iVirty®, on the other hand, represents a further step forward with respect to all of this, as it certifies the biodegradability of an item (shoe, bag, clothing, etc.) in its entirety and for the totality of all its components.
What are the benefits provided by iVirty®?
The iVirty® brand allows brands to clearly communicate the biodegradability and sustainability of their products. However, this is not the only reason for interest, as this solution allows us to address another important issue, namely the end-of-life management of fashion items. If the “Biodegradable Leather” label allows us to optimize the recovery of processing waste, iVirty addresses finished products, entirely biodegradable bags, shoes or clothes, thus an opportunity for the entire fashion industry. iVIRTY, therefore, ensures an important promotional, technical and environmental advantage. And connected to iVIRTY is also an important aspect of ecodesign that is crucial in order to stimulate designers and companies to use certain materials rather than others, designing items that, in the future, may be disposed of without harming the environment.
Your company also deals with sustainability reporting, what does this involve?
Just as the economic report summarizes the company’s annual results from a balance sheet and economic point of view, so does the sustainability report summarize the company’s annual results regarding environmental impact, local life, and social aspects in general,
Small and medium-sized enterprises are not yet required to report, but suppliers to companies (such as Large Corporations and publicly traded companies) are often increasingly required to report on their behaviour regarding “sustainability.”
We ourselves have prepared our first sustainability report and, thanks to our 30 years of experience on environmental protection and quality-environment-safetysocial management systems, we also offer ourselves as consultants to interested companies. The preparation of the eco-sustainability report has been completed along with the economic report, and we will soon communicate the results in an effective and clear way, from our point of view.
We can affirm that ARCHA was born sustainable, and we at ARCHA do not tire of saying that sustainability is not a goal, it is not a score, but it is a way of being, a way of doing business, a way of combining profits with the needs of the territory in social and environmental terms. On this, our commitment is concrete and constant.
Giulia Cecchi