Manufacturing

We are honoured to be the first company in South Asia, and the first in the industrial glove manufacturing sector globally, to receive this recognition. While it marks an important milestone for ATG®, we see it as part of a broader journey. It reflects the growing momentum across industries and regions toward embedding social responsibility at the heart of how we work.

This recognition reflects our deep-rooted commitment to doing business the right way, ethically, sustainably, and transparently. It builds on our growing portfolio of internationally recognised standards and accreditations, underlining that sustainability, ethics, and continuous improvement are not just priorities for us, they’re part of who we are.

What is ISO 26000?

Unlike traditional standards, ISO 26000 is not a certification, but rather a globally recognised framework for guiding organisations in operating in a socially responsibly. It provides comprehensive direction across seven key areas: organisational governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.

Being rated a “Role Model” means that we have gone far beyond compliance. It confirms that we have embedded social responsibility into our policies, operations, and decision-making processes across the entire organisation.
From robust governance and ethical sourcing to safe working conditions and environmental care, our approach is systematic and fully integrated. We actively engage with our stakeholders, regularly track and report on our performance, and ensure that every claim we make about our ethical and sustainable practices is backed by transparent, verifiable evidence.

Social responsibility has never been just add-on for us, we have woven it into the very fabric of how we operate. Whether it's designing gloves with reduced environmental impact or driving wellbeing through ethical labour practices, we put purpose at the heart of every decision we make.

A Natural Step in a Bigger Journey

This recognition adds to our growing portfolio of certifications and accreditations, further reinforcing ATG®’s role as a leader in responsible innovation. It sits alongside our achievements in sustainable manufacturing, quality control, and product safety, forming part of a larger commitment to always doing business the right way.
From our in-house R&D and end-to-end manufacturing to our focus on reducing glove waste and improving wearer compliance, this milestone reflects our broader purpose: to protect not just hands, but the people and planet behind them.

Our Commitment Doesn’t End Here

Earning ISO 26000 “Role Model” status is a significant achievement, but it’s not the final stop on our journey. We view it as a powerful benchmark that motivates us to go even further in the coming years.
As we continue to innovate and grow, social responsibility will always remain at the very core of everything we do. We will keep listening, learning, improving and sharing, pushing ourselves and encouraging our partners to raise the bar of what responsible business can and should be.

Because at ATG®, we believe that high performance should never come at the cost of people or the planet.

This internationally recognised certification, awarded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), is a testament to our commitment to responsible environmental practices, energy efficiency, and sustainability in manufacturing. It reinforces our ongoing efforts to minimise our environmental footprint, optimise resource consumption, and improve workplace efficiency. With this certification, ATG^® further solidifies its position as an industry leader in sustainable manufacturing while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance in our glove solutions.

What is LEED Certification and Why is it Important?

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world’s most widely recognised green building certification system. Developed by the USGBC, this framework assesses the environmental impact of buildings and manufacturing facilities based on various criteria, including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, indoor environmental quality, and carbon footprint management.

A LEED-certified facility demonstrates excellence in sustainability by ensuring that every aspect of its operations aligns with responsible environmental practices. These facilities are designed to be environmentally responsible, resource-efficient, and healthier for occupants while significantly reducing their impact on the planet.

By achieving LEED v4.1 certification, ATG^® has demonstrated its ability to meet the most rigorous standards in sustainable building operations. This milestone underscores our commitment to energy-efficient production, responsible resource management, and eco-friendly manufacturing practices. It also reinforces our role as a leader in sustainable innovation within the glove industry.

ATG®’s Journey Towards Sustainable Manufacturing

At ATG^®, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Achieving LEED v4.1 certification was not just a goal—it was a deliberate step towards a greener, more responsible future. This achievement required strategic planning, meticulous resource management, and significant investment in green technologies.

One of our key accomplishments in this journey is the reduction of electricity consumption by 5% per pair of liners produced. This reflects our continuous efforts to optimise energy use, streamline manufacturing processes, and integrate more sustainable power sources into our operations.

In parallel, we have prioritised responsible water management. Through advanced recycling systems and optimised water consumption in production, we have successfully reduced water usage by 6% per pair of liners manufactured.

Waste management is another crucial pillar of our sustainability strategy. We are proud to report that 90% of all waste generated in our manufacturing process is now recycled, significantly reducing landfill contributions and promoting a circular economy. This approach aligns with global best practices and further cements our dedication to reducing waste at every stage of production.

Moreover, ATG^® has made remarkable progress in reducing its carbon footprint. Through strategic energy efficiency measures and the adoption of renewable energy sources, we have cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5.5% annually. Every aspect of our manufacturing process is carefully monitored and refined to ensure continuous environmental improvement.

Energy Management and ISO 50001:2018 Certification

In addition to LEED v4.1 certification, ATG^® has also been awarded the ISO 50001:2018 certification, an internationally recognised standard for energy management systems. This certification highlights our structured approach to improving energy efficiency, reducing operational costs, and minimising our environmental impact.

As part of this initiative, we have significantly increased our use of on-site solar power generation, leading to a 3% rise in renewable energy usage since 2023. This shift underscores our commitment to reducing dependence on non-renewable energy and investing in cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.

Additionally, electricity consumption across our knitting and covering factories has been reduced by 2%, demonstrating our ability to enhance operational efficiency without compromising productivity.

A key driver of our success has been the active involvement of our employees. We have implemented comprehensive training programmes to ensure that 100% of our workforce is educated on energy conservation practices. By fostering a culture of sustainability, we empower our employees to contribute to our environmental goals, embedding sustainable practices into our daily operations.

A Future Built on Sustainability

Achieving LEED v4.1 and ISO 50001:2018 certifications is a significant milestone, but for ATG^®, sustainability is an ongoing journey. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, exploring new ways to reduce our environmental impact, and implementing the latest advancements in green manufacturing.

We believe that sustainability is a shared responsibility. We invite our partners, customers, and industry peers to join us in creating a more sustainable world. Together, we can make a difference—one step, one innovation, and one glove at a time.

ATG^®, a global leader in production of premium professional work gloves, is proud to announce its successful achievement of ISO 14064 accreditation for Environmental Management. This esteemed certification acknowledges ATG^®’s commitment to minimizing its environmental impact and fostering sustainability in its operations.

ISO 14064 is an internationally recognized standard that provides guidelines for quantifying, monitoring, and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. The accreditation demonstrates ATG^®’s dedication to transparently measuring its carbon footprint and taking proactive steps to mitigate climate change.

By obtaining ISO 14064 accreditation, ATG^® has further solidified its position as a responsible corporate citizen, prioritizing environmental stewardship alongside technological advancements at its 100% privately owned facilities.  
To achieve ISO 14064 accreditation, ATG^® underwent a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent third-party, SGS^®. The assessment covered various aspects of the organization’s environmental management system, including GHG accounting, emissions reduction strategies, and continuous improvement measures.

ATG® has implemented robust practices and policies to reduce its carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency across its facilities. This accreditation highlights ATG^®’s comprehensive carbon management approach, which includes measuring, reporting, and verifying its GHG emissions in line with international standards.

“Our ISO 14064 accreditation represents ATG^® commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible business practices,” said Mr Sisira Kumara, Director of Quality Assurance at ATG^®. “We firmly believe that addressing climate change is an essential component of our mission to ensure the safe and beneficial production of our gloves. We will continue to explore innovative solutions and actively work towards a greener future.”

ATG^®‘s dedication to sustainable practices extends beyond its internal operations by actively working on research and development initiatives that leverage technology platforms to assist and address environmental challenges. For example, the DURAtech® technology platform is a good example that extends the glove life to reduce user consumption so reducing waste whilst providing value for money to customers. The DURAtech® technology, applied across the proRange® gloves, also facilitates the laundering of gloves, which are certified according to ISO 6330:2021, to access the full potential of the extended life provided by the DURAtech® technology platform. By collaborating with partners across industries, academia, and its own in-house R&D, ATG^® aims to drive technological innovation that contributes to a more sustainable world.

The outsourcing of manufacturing is part and parcel of almost every business nowadays, so much so that consumers expect it. However, what about a world where you know exactly who has made each item you buy and where it came from? That’s a world that ATG believes in and why we prefer to swim against the tide rather than going with the outsourcing flow.

In an industry driven by outsourcing, ATG® is and always has been a traditional manufacturer that uses the very latest technologies to deliver class-leading gloves. We do everything ourselves and guarantee that nothing is outsourced.

Zero Outsourcing

We see many benefits in producing our own gloves. However, in this article we’ll focus on the most important one: control.

Control of what exactly?

• Control of R&D development
• Control of new product transition from R&D to production
• Control of intellectual property
• Control of quality
• Control of conformity to legislation
• Control of the way the people who make our products are  treated

The list goes on; however, it always comes back to that one thing: control. In a world of outsourcing, people tell us more and more that they want to be sure that they are dealing with the manufacturer and not a brand that they then find is available from a number of vendors and is undoubtedly outsourced. So where does it all start?

Research and Development

We just keep it simple by integrating our R&D facilities into the heart of our production facilities to ensure that the ideas and the technology behind our gloves as developed by R&D are not lost when they are transferred to our production lines. This simple approach also enhances the collaboration between our production and development teams, and encourages faster knowledge exchange, which leads to efficient research and dramatically shortens the development cycle of each new product or product improvement.

Making gloves is Like putting a jigsaw together. There are so many parts that need to be interconnected with one another to solve the puzzle, and making gloves is no different.

John Taylor, Chairman ATG

The Drive for Knowledge and expertise

It doesn’t just happen within ATG, as we actively collaborate with leading universities, specialised industries as well as with industry experts. This is one of the reasons why ATG is able to stay at the forefront of the latest developments and scientific breakthroughs in the industry. We design and develop gloves that perfectly match our users’ needs of today and tomorrow. By providing them with not just another glove, but with a totally new glove experience, we’re able to guarantee to every user optimum safety, comfort and cleanliness.

Beyond Legislation

Glove cleanliness is something ATG® takes very seriously. It’s important for the environment, our employees who produce our gloves and, of course, those who wear our gloves. With legislation becoming more demanding and more technical, we feel the best way to guarantee compliance is by producing products in-house. The REACH legislation that came into effect in June 2007 is an excellent example. Totalling 849 pages, it has been described as the most complete and most complex legislation regulating chemical substances. Having full ownership of the technology behind and within our gloves also enabled us to gain dermatological accreditation through a partnership with the Skin Health Alliance (SHA), giving, for the first time within the safety industry, professional glove users the confidence that our full range of gloves is dermatologically safe as the science and research behind our gloves are robust.

Quality

Quality is not something that we check at the end of the production line. Rather, it is integrated into our facilities from the start of the process to the end. This is achieved by quality teams and quality champions who monitor production and make corrective actions as part of their daily job.

By using such an approach, quality has become woven into the fabric and culture of the company. This is formally expressed through ISO 9001 accreditation, which we, like many companies, use as a framework to help us to deliver consistently high-quality gloves. In combination with ISO 14001, it enables us to make our manufacturing operations more efficient with low levels of waste whilst being mindful of the environment in which we operate.

Bringing It Altogether

It is the responsibility and combined effort of the many teams that work within the supply chain to seamlessly design, develop, produce, distribute, educate and support. In an industry driven by outsourcing, ATG® is and always has been a traditional manufacturer that uses the very latest technologies to deliver class-leading gloves. We do everything ourselves and guarantee that nothing is outsourced.