ZD Zero Defects

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Barcelona

Since 1920, the ZD factory has been located in the central street of Santa Marta, in the heart of Mataró (Barcelona), and continues in the same place where it opened its doors at the beginning of the 20^th century. This artisan factory prides itself on having a workforce of local workers who have often followed the family tradition, passing the trade from mother to daughter.

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES

While maintaining the essence of craftsmanship, ZD has been able to uniquely combine the best of tradition with the latest technology. In its own workshop, a team of experts is dedicated to producing fabrics and garments, following a meticulous production process. This process is characterised by meticulous handwork and strict quality control, ensuring excellence in every garment manufactured.

In addition, ZD is committed to its territory and has implemented a programme called InserTex in collaboration with the city of Mataró. This programme aims to hire unemployed people and people at risk of social exclusion, thus demonstrating its social responsibility and its contribution to the welfare of the local community.

MATERIALS

• Conventional cotton
• Organic cotton
• Soy thread

PACKAGING

ZD Zero Defects does not disclose what packaging materials are used.

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS

One of their keys to success is creating men’s and women’s underwear with unique materials and high-quality fabrics such as conventional, Egyptian cotton or organic cotton.
​‘Egyptian’ cotton refers to the origin of the plant used to create the cotton. Cotton plants grown in Egypt result in fine and long fibres of higher quality, due to the good growing conditions of the Egyptian climate.

In addition, they are pioneers in using soy thread, a fabric with beneficial properties, especially for people with sensitive skin, due to its antibacterial and fungicidal nature. It is worth mentioning that this fabric is potentially recyclable.

The company is also certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, as all skin-contact products sold in the EU have to be. This certification guarantees that the products have been tested and certified by internationally recognised institutes and confirms that the end product does not contain harmful substances that could endanger your health.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

At ZD, careful hand cutting is carried out to manufacture its garments. This approach gives ZD greater control and precision in the fabric-cutting process. In addition, manual cutting allows them to optimise the use of available material, thereby reducing waste and maximising production efficiency.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS

Most ZD garments are made from conventional cotton or organic cotton, although they have a higher percentage of a single material, some garments are made from material blends. This composition of materials can make the subsequent recycling of garments difficult, especially when it comes to efficiently separating and recycling different fabrics, such as cotton blended with a small percentage of elastane.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Production locations: Spain, Egypt, Italy, Portugal
• HQ is located in Spain
• ZD sells/​exports to all EU countries

At ZD, they value and promote the concept of zero-kilometre production in manufacturing their garments. Much of the manufacturing process is carried out in Mataró (Barcelona), with local workers and some nearby suppliers. 

However, it is important to point out that their main cotton supplier comes from Egypt, and other suppliers are located in Italy and Portugal.

Despite this, ZD strives to keep production as local as possible, and this is reflected in the continuity of its factory in the same place where it opened its doors in 1920. This decision demonstrates its commitment to the local community and the preservation of the artisan tradition in the area.

TRANSPORTATION

ZD Zero Defects does not share specific information about transportation in the supply chain or e‑commerce logistics.

At ZD, they use a small percentage of merino wool in some of their socks. 

ZD’s wool suppliers indicate that they buy wool from suppliers who use mulesing-free wool and who respect the five principles of animal welfare, according to the Farm Animal Welfare Council.

PRODUCT DESIGN

ZD garments are characterised by being classic, stylish and versatile, which means they don’t go out of style easily in the wardrobe. In addition, they are designed and manufactured to maintain their qualities wash after wash. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

At ZD Zero Defects, they embrace and promote the ​“slow fashion” movement, creating products that are timeless and stylish and have exceptional durability. The high-quality fabrics used in ZD garments remain impeccable over time, preventing warping or premature wear and tear.
 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

ZD has demonstrated a commitment to transparency in its production chain by sharing information with COSH! about the names of its fabric suppliers and manufacturing locations. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES

As ZD continues to progress, there is an exciting opportunity to further improve communication with consumers. One effective way to do this would be to consider providing additional details in your product descriptions.

We at COSH! are excited to see how they continue to move towards a more sustainable future in the fashion industry.