SUSTAINABILITY

Dedication to sustainability is a primary focus at Samson. Our corporate mission objective explicitly includes delivering continuous improvement relating to the impact on our people, communities, and planet. For Samson, it's a strategic mindset acknowledging the vital roles that ecological and social factors play in long-term success. We have integrated sustainability into our core operations, considering the environmental impact of our processes, the health and safety of our employees, and engagement with our local communities. By embracing sustainable business practices, Samson will contribute to a better future for current and future generations.

REDUCE, REUSE, REPAIR, RECYCLE

Samson is invested in reducing waste by conserving resources, streamlining operations, and minimizing environmental impact. We annually review opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and unnecessary material usage. By employing lean manufacturing principles and advanced technologies, we are continuously working to optimize production processes that eliminate inefficiencies and excess.

• Customer challenges with wooden reel disposal and desire to reduce packaging material resulted in additional equipment investments at our manufacturing facilities to deliver coiled products to end users.
  • 30,000 lbs of reels were diverted from landfills in 2024 through coiled product supply.
  • Samson vendor Reel Core offers a $1 per reel rebate to return smaller plastic reels for regrinding.
• A dedicated R&D project identified opportunities for standardized scrap measurements and reduction across facilities.
• Because Samson designs for durability and longevity, reducing the need for replacement, we have seen our high-performance mooring lines last for 20 years!

• The RE Store: over 8,000 lbs of new rope overruns supplied to this local non-profit dedicated to diverting reusable materials from landfills.
• Fiber Scrap: nearly 50 tons of twisted yarn waste was sold to repurposers needing clean material for creating new products.
• Supplier Engagement: Samson has adjusted its vendor expectations and evaluation methods to encourage reducing wasteful packaging practices. 

Synthetic rope is often a consumable component in operations. While Samson prides itself on supplying products designed to maximize the suitable life, rope in service will eventually degrade to the point where it can no longer serve its original function. However, that degradation can often occur in a localized section of the rope leaving much of the line length still in working condition. Rather than encouraging disposal and replacement of any damaged rope, Samson provides resources to repair and extend product lifetime.

• Fabrication instructions: Samson provides easy access to instructions and digital training opportunities for rope splicing.
• Field Services: Throughout 2024, Samson field technicians performed over 50 onsite services in 6 countries to repair damaged lines. 
• Rope User’s Manual: Proper care, maintenance, and best practices are critical to keeping rope from a premature end in the landfill.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

As a manufacturer, one major environmental impact within our direct control is the energy required for production. Manufacturing processes demand significant energy to power equipment, resulting in varying levels of harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While energy will always be essential for creating what we produce, we are actively working to improve our environmental footprint by optimizing energy sources and increasing efficiencies.

• GHG Inventory: A baseline assessment of 2024 Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gases generated at each of Samson’s current four facilities were performed.
  • 1,994 metric tonnes of CO₂e were emitted due to facility operations in 2024.
  • 76% of these emissions were attributed to Scope 2 electricity generation.

   

• Reduction: Samson has prioritized electricity efficiency improvements at our two largest manufacturing plants.
  • The University of Washington (UW) and Louisiana State University (LSU) Industrial Training & Assessment Center (ITAC) teams visited the Ferndale and Lafayette facilities, respectively, to identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.
  • DOE implementation grants were awarded to each U.S. facility, targeting a reduction of up to 17% in annual energy use at Ferndale and incorporating onsite production of over 20% of annual electricity use at the Lafayette site.
  • Feasibility of a photovoltaic installation is currently being assessed with Ecotech Solar to meet nearly 20% of the Ferndale facility’s electric demand, following the award of USDA REAP grant funding. 

   

PARTNERSHIPS

We believe it takes a village to make a real difference. Our partnerships with sustainably minded local companies are more than just business relationships—they are a commitment to fostering thriving, resilient communities. These collaborations leverage the expertise of industry leaders and the rich, hands-on knowledge of local change-makers who understand their communities best.

• Sustainable Connections: Implementation of their industry expertise has optimized our office waste collection and Samson is a proud financial sponsor of the Toward Zero Waste program.
• Cordage Institute: Samson's membership in this established international association continues to improve safety and sustainability across the rope-making industry.
• The RE Store: Donations of new rope overruns are made to this local non-profit dedicated to diverting reusable materials from landfills.
• Fiber Supplier, Avient: As a leading consumer of Avient's high-tech fibers, Samson is an eager participant in their cross-industry coalition efforts to build towards a circular economy. 

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

Understanding the entire influence of a product on the environment requires consideration well beyond the direct observations of any single person in the supply chain. Regarding GHG impact, a significant portion of equivalent emissions are generated long before we begin our production at Samson. From creating the base material that makes up the fibers to the packaging and transportation of that material to our facilities, there are many contributions to the total impact before Samson is involved. After we produce the rope, packaging, shipment, use, and disposal of the product are all a part of the life cycle impacting the environment. Realizing this, Samson is dedicated to improving sustainability at every level within the product life cycle.

• Fiber production: Communication with Samson's suppliers is critical to understanding their specific supply chain's environmental impact.
  • We evaluate suppliers on their ability to provide cradle-to-gate GHG inventories, including Scope 3 emissions, allowing us to better convey the total impact.
  • While most synthetic fibers are created using fossil feedstocks, alternatives exist, including Dyneema's bio-based or mixed plastic waste offerings.

• Transport: Samson's recent expansion to add EU manufacturing facilities (Spain & France) provides local supply for our European customers to take advantage of regionally produced materials.
• End-of-life: While the future of plastics will require better technological solutions for recycling, today, we continue to search for alternative solutions to provide additional use before the product ends up in landfill or an incinerator.
• When you see one of these logos, you know your rope was made with alternatively sourced feedstock.

Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

At Samson, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an operational imperative and an integral part of our culture. Our corporate-level initiatives include environmental sustainability, community involvement, employee wellbeing, ethical business practices, long-term sustainability, and creating shared value for all stakeholders. By integrating CSR into our core business operations, we aim to actively contribute to a better world, fostering trust, transparency, and a positive reputation in the marketplace.

To read Samson's corporate social responsibility policy, click here. 

140+ Years in the Making

As the world's largest high performance rope producer, Samson continues to operate at the forefront of the synthetic rope industry. As your needs are evolving, so are we. We are continually inventing, refining, and optimizing our products to ensure we provide you with the highest quality products and comprehensive service you expect from us. We aren’t satisfied with status quo. Never have been. That’s why we continue to take sustainability, product innovation, and service to the next level.

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