{{Short description|Italian textile company specializing in high-end wool fabrics}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Manteco S.p.A. | logo = | type = Società per azioni | industry = Textiles | founded = 1943 | founder = Enzo Anacleto Mantellassi | hq_location = Montemurlo, Prato, Italy | key_people = Franco Mantellassi (Chairman),<br>Marco Mantellassi (co-CEO),<br>Matteo Mantellassi (co-CEO) | products = Wool fabrics | revenue = ~€99 million (2024)<ref name="FN2025">{{cite news |title=Manteco vede la ripresa dopo un 2024 stabile a 99 milioni di euro, con USA, Europa e Asia a trainare |work=FashionNetwork (Italy) |language=it |date=13 February 2025 |url=https://it.fashionnetwork.com/news/Manteco-vede-la-ripresa-dopo-un-2024-stabile-a-99-milioni-di-euro-con-usa-europa-e-asia-a-trainare,1702705.html |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://manteco.com}} }}
'''Manteco''' is an Italian textile company headquartered in Montemurlo, in the Prato textile district. Founded in 1943, the company produces high-end fabrics with a core focus on recycled and low-impact wool fibers.<ref name="Bloomberg2023">{{cite news |title=A Wool Recycling Tradition Offers Lessons for Fast Fashion |work=Bloomberg |date=6 July 2023 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2023-wool-recycling-tradition-and-fast-fashion-waste/ |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=April 2026|reason=Can't access Bloomberg due to paywall}}<ref name="VogueBusiness">{{cite news |title=Can Made in Italy withstand climate change? |work=Vogue Business |date=7 November 2024 |url=https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/sustainability/can-made-in-italy-withstand-climate-change |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>
== History == The company's origins date to 1941, when founder Enzo Anacleto Mantellassi acquired a semi-destroyed spinning mill in Prato and began producing recycled wool yarn from reclaimed military blankets and garments during World War II.<ref name="FN_History">{{cite news |title=Manteco, un viaggio nella creazione del tessuto in lana riciclata tra tradizione e innovazione [Manteco, a journey into the creation of recycled wool fabric between tradition and innovation] |work=FashionNetwork (Italy) |date=29 January 2024 |language=it |url=https://it.fashionnetwork.com/news/Manteco-un-viaggio-nella-creazione-del-tessuto-in-lana-riciclata-tra-tradizione-e-innovazione,1598605.html |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> The business was formally established in 1943 as Lanificio San Marco, when Mantellassi purchased looms and began producing woven fabrics.<ref name="SustReport2024Timeline">{{cite report |title=Manteco Sustainability Report 2024 |publisher=Manteco S.p.A. |page=18 |section=Timeline |url=https://manteco.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Report-Sostenibilita-2024-1.pdf |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref>
Following the founder's death in 1967, leadership passed to his son Franco Mantellassi. In 2000, Franco's sons Marco and Matteo Mantellassi became co-CEOs.<ref name="SustReport2024Timeline"/>
In December 2023, Manteco acquired the spinning mill Casentino Lane, a carded spinning facility in Bibbiena (Arezzo) employing 27 workers, to vertically integrate its production. The acquisition added approximately 700,000 kg of annual yarn capacity.<ref name="FN_Casentino">{{cite news |last=Galbiati |first=Laura |title=Italian textiles producer Manteco buys Casentino Lane |work=FashionNetwork |date=11 January 2024 |url=https://www.fashionnetwork.com/news/Italian-textiles-producer-manteco-buys-casentino-lane,1592992.html |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2026|reason=link seems to be broken or the article has been deleted/removed}}<ref name="T24Casentino">{{cite news |last=Pieraccini |first=Silvia |title=Il lanificio pratese Manteco acquisisce filatura in Casentino |work=T24 Economia |language=it |date=9 January 2024 |url=https://www.t24economia.it/art/il-lanificio-pratese-manteco-acquisisce-filatura-in-casentino |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref>
== Products == The company's main products are fabrics made from two proprietary fibers:
MWool is a mechanically recycled wool fiber in which color is obtained by blending pre-dyed reclaimed fibers rather than dyeing new material. A life cycle assessment (LCA) published in the journal ''Resources'' found significant reductions in environmental impact compared to generic virgin wool across indicators including climate change, water use, and energy consumption.<ref name="MWoolPaper">{{cite journal |last1=Bianco |first1=Isabella |last2=Gerboni |first2=Raffaella |last3=Picerno |first3=Giuseppe |last4=Blengini |first4=Gian Andrea |title=Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of MWool® Recycled Wool Fibers |journal=Resources |year=2022 |volume=11 |issue=5 |page=41 |doi=10.3390/resources11050041 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The fiber holds an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).<ref name="EPDMwool">{{cite web |title=MWool® – Recycled wool yarn (S-P-05830) |url=https://www.environdec.com/library/epd5830 |website=The International EPD System |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>
ReviWool is a virgin wool fiber made from co-product fibers recovered during the worsting process. A dedicated LCA published in the ''Journal of Cleaner Production'' reported reductions in climate change impact, water use, and energy consumption compared to conventional virgin wool tops.<ref name="ReviWoolPaper">{{cite journal |last1=Bianco |first1=Isabella |last2=Picerno |first2=Giuseppe |last3=Blengini |first3=Gian Andrea |title=Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Worsted and Woollen processing in wool production: ReviWool® noils and other wool co-products |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |year=2023 |volume=415 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137877}}</ref><ref name="EPDReviwool">{{cite web |title=ReviWool® – Low-impact virgin wool fabric (S-P-09428) |url=https://www.environdec.com/library/epd9428 |website=The International EPD System |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>
=== Research collaborations === The company conducts research with several academic institutions, including the Polytechnic University of Turin, the University of Leeds, and the University of Trieste.<ref name="SustReport2024Timeline"/>
A 2024 study with the University of Leeds, published in ''Cleaner Engineering and Technology'', found that wool fabrics can be mechanically recycled in a closed loop up to six times while retaining quality suitable for high-end production, provided fibers maintain a minimum length of 20 mm.<ref name="LeedsStudy">{{cite journal |last1=Glasper |first1=M.J. |last2=Picerno |first2=G. |last3=Tausif |first3=M. |last4=Russell |first4=S.J. |title=Closed loop mechanical recyclability of post-consumer waste wool fabrics based on fibre length retention |journal=Cleaner Engineering and Technology |year=2024 |volume=22 |doi=10.1016/j.clet.2024.100720 |doi-access=free}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=April 2026}} Other peer-reviewed studies have addressed the marine biodegradability of recycled wool fibers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bianco |first1=Isabella |last2=Cecchini |first2=Serena |display-authors=1 |title=Marine biodegradability and ecotoxicity of MWool® recycled wool fibers: A circular-economy-based material |journal=Oceans |year=2023 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=88–100 |doi=10.3390/oceans4010009 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
== Operations == === Supply chain === Manteco's production relies on a network of over 56 partner companies within the Prato textile district, operating at short range. ''Il Sole 24 Ore'' reported in 2018 that Manteco supported 56 small local suppliers within this system.<ref name="Sole24Ore2018">{{cite news |title=Lanificio Manteco supporta 56 piccoli fornitori Insieme per il lusso green [Lanificio Manteco supports 56 small suppliers Together for green luxury] |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/lanificio-manteco-supporta-56-piccoli-fornitori-insieme-il-lusso-green-AE7ea1a |work=Il Sole 24 Ore |language=it |date=10 November 2018 |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=April 2026|reason=Text is there, but I can't read it somehow because of the website blocking it}} In 2024, ''Corriere della Sera'' described the network as an operation aimed at preserving the local artisanal supply chain.<ref name="Corriere2024">{{cite news |title=Manteco investe sulla filiera: «Così preserviamo il made in Italy (e la fiducia dei brand)» |work=Corriere della Sera |language=it |date=16 January 2024 |url=https://www.corriere.it/economia/aziende/24_gennaio_16/manteco-investe-filiera-cosi-preserviamo-made-italy-fiducia-brand-816688ba-b476-11ee-b070-5f748958d222.shtml |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref>
=== Financial performance === Revenue grew from €20 million to approximately €91 million over the decade ending in 2019.<ref name="Pambianco2023">{{cite news |title=L'anima circolare premia i conti di Manteco. Fatturato a 97 mln |work=Pambianco News |language=it |date=2 February 2023 |url=https://www.pambianconews.com/2023/02/02/lanima-circolare-premia-i-conti-di-manteco-il-fatturato-sale-a-97-mln-e-365190/ |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref> After a pandemic-related decline, revenue recovered to €78 million in 2021<ref name="Pambianco2022">{{cite news |title=Manteco, il fatturato sale a 78 mln € |work=Pambianco News |language=it |date=4 February 2022 |url=https://www.pambianconews.com/2022/02/04/manteco-il-fatturato-sale-a-78-mln-e-337784/ |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref> and reached approximately €97 million in 2022.<ref name="Pambianco2023"/> Revenue remained stable at around €99 million in 2024.<ref name="FN2025"/>
=== Market presence === The company supplies fabrics to international fashion brands. It engages in co-branding, providing a dedicated label for garments made with its materials.<ref name="WWD2022">{{cite news |title=Texworld and Première Vision Had Visitors Touching Fabric at Last |url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/textiles/texworld-and-premiere-vision-had-visitors-touching-fabric-at-last-1235077661/ |work=WWD |date=15 February 2022 |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> Clients include luxury groups such as LVMH, Kering, Ralph Lauren and Moncler, as well as retailers including Inditex.<ref name="Modaes">{{cite news |title=Manteco, sostenibilidad 'made in Prato' para conquistar al lujo y al 'fast fashion' |work=Modaes |language=es |date=11 December 2019 |url=https://www.modaes.com/equipamiento/manteco-sostenibilidad-made-in-prato-para-conquistar-al-lujo-y-al-fast-fashion |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref name="IlGiornale2024">{{cite news |last=Astorri |first=Marcello |title=Manteco tra le stelle del Made in Italy |work=il Giornale |date=17 May 2024 |url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/aziende/manteco-stelle-made-italy-2323216.html |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref>
== Industry initiatives == Manteco is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Network, having joined in November 2021.<ref name="EMF2021">{{cite web |title=New Members join the Foundation's Network |url=https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/news/new-members-join-the-foundations-network-nov21 |website=Ellen MacArthur Foundation |date=November 2021 |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref> The company is also a signatory to a UNECE sustainability pledge on traceability in the textile sector.<ref name="UNECE">{{cite web |title=The Sustainability Pledge - Three years on: Monitoring Report on Traceability and Transparency in the Textile and Leather Sector |url=https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2024-06/SustainabilityPledge-3yrsMonitoringReport_0.pdf |website=UNECE |date=June 2024 |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>
In 2018, the company launched Manteco Academy, an educational programme for fashion students and professionals focused on circular design and sustainability.<ref>{{cite web |title=Textile, eight decades ahead: Manteco's sustainable example |work=I'M Firenze Digest |date=4 April 2022 |url=https://imfirenzedigest.com/2022/04/04/textile-eight-decades-ahead-mantecos-sustainable-example/ |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2026|reason=This program is not mentioned in the source}}
== Recognition == The company has received several industry awards. In 2018, it was included in the London Stock Exchange Group's "1000 Companies to Inspire Europe" report.<ref>{{cite web |title=1000 Companies to Inspire Europe 2018 |work=London Stock Exchange Group |url=https://www.lseg.com/content/dam/lseg/en_us/documents/reports/companies-to-inspire/companies-inspire-europe-2018.pdf |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> In 2023, the German trade publication ''TextilWirtschaft'' awarded Manteco its Forum Preis, citing the company's innovation and creativity within a family-run structure.<ref name="TW2023">{{cite news |title=64. Forum der TextilWirtschaft: Forum-Preise der TextilWirtschaft verliehen |work=TextilWirtschaft |language=de |date=15 May 2023 |url=https://www.textilwirtschaft.de/business/news/64.-forum-der-textilwirtschaft-forum-preise-der-textilwirtschaft-verliehen-240251 |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref> Also in 2023, it received the Climate Action Award at the CNMI (Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana) Sustainable Fashion Awards, held at Teatro alla Scala.<ref name="CNMI">{{cite web |title=Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023 – Premi |url=https://www.cameramoda.it/it/sustainable-fashion-awards/premi/2023/ |website=Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana |language=it |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cnmi Sustainable Fashion Awards, premiati Gucci, Versace e Manteco |url=https://www.corriere.it/economia/aziende/23_settembre_25/cnmi-sustainable-fashion-awards-premiati-gucci-versace-manteco-eb1c83c6-5bc1-11ee-b894-a8f9c0d08a24.shtml |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it |date=25 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> That same year, it received the "Top 100 Performance" prize at the Sustainability Award, promoted by Kon Group and ALTIS Università Cattolica.<ref name="SustAward2023">{{cite web |title=Sustainability Award 2023 – Cerimonia di premiazione |url=https://sustainabilityaward.it/sustainability-award-2023-cerimonia-di-premiazione/ |website=Sustainability Award |language=it |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref> In 2024, it was named Industria Felix as one of the 100 most competitive companies in Central Italy.<ref name="IndustriaFelix">{{cite news |title=Industria Felix, premiate le 100 imprese più competitive del Centro Italia e delle Isole |work=Industria Felix Magazine |language=it |date=10 May 2024 |url=https://www.industriafelix.it/industria-felix-premiate-le-100-imprese-piu-competitive-del-centro-italia-e-delle-isole/ |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref> Also in 2024, the non-profit Textile Exchange named Manteco its Climate Project of the Year.<ref name="TEaward">{{cite news |title=Manteco vince il 'Climate Project of the Year' per la sostenibilità |work=Pambianco News |language=it |date=6 November 2024 |url=https://www.pambianconews.com/2024/11/06/manteco-vince-il-climate-project-of-the-year-per-la-sostenibilita-418769/ |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Textile Exchange announces the winners of the 2024 Climate and Nature Impact Awards |website=Textile Exchange |date=13 November 2024 |url=https://textileexchange.org/news/textile-exchange-announces-the-winners-of-the-2024-climate-and-nature-impact-awards/ |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>
== See also == * Prato textile district * Textile recycling * Wool * Circular economy
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://manteco.com}}
Category:Italian companies established in 1943 Category:Textile companies of Italy