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50 years

How we understand sustainability

For us, sustainability means that 99.6% of our products are made from natural fibres and regenerated cellulose fibres* and that we take environmental and social requirements into account throughout the entire textile supply chain. Together with our partners, we continue to develop standards and help make the textile industry more sustainable.

The hessnatur Standard

Our hessnatur Standard applies to all hessnatur products. It is underpinned by internal quality guidelines, which we are constantly refining. Among other things, these guidelines set out requirements for materials, harmful substances, manufacturing processes, as well as storage and transport. Compliance with these requirements is documented, checked and assessed throughout the textile supply chain.
*Measured against the total weight of all products delivered in the 2024/25 financial year.

Facts rather than promises
99.6 %

The products in our collection are made from materials of natural origin (the proportion of pure natural fibres and regenerated cellulose fibres in the total weight of all products delivered during the 24/25 financial year).

100 %

The virgin fibre cotton we use is organically grown (this does not apply to recycled cotton).

73 %

Our materials consist of just a single fibre – the ideal basis for subsequent recycling (in the 24/25 financial year).

32 %

of our materials are sourced in Europe.

58 %

of the production are manufactured in EU Member States (in the 24/25 financial year).

20 years ago

we have joined the Fair Wear Foundation – which has once again recognised our commitment to social standards by awarding us ‘Leader’ status.

GOTS – our most important standard

This certification guarantees that our textiles are made from organic fibres and meet strict environmental and social criteria. GOTS not only ensures that raw materials are sourced sustainably, but also stipulates responsible manufacturing processes, including water management and the use of chemicals. In 2024/25, 80 per cent of the weight of the goods delivered was certified. We are constantly working to increase the proportion of certified products in our collection. This also means that GOTS certification is one of our key selection criteria when choosing new partners.

Fair Wear Foundation

In 2005, we became the first German company to join the Fair Wear Foundation. Through audits, training and regular reviews, we are working to identify risks at an early stage and drive improvements forward together.

Textile Exchange

We have been a member of Textile Exchange since 2021. Through dialogue with industry partners, we are committed to the further development of materials and production processes.

Organic Blended Content Standard

We have been offering products that comply with the OCS standard since 2024. This standard documents the proportion of certified organic fibres and their traceability throughout the supply chain.

Global Recycled Standard

The GRS verifies the proportion of recycled fibres in a product and sets strict environmental standards throughout the entire supply chain, for example regarding the chemicals used and wastewater.

Federal Association for Sustainable Business

We have been a member of the BNW since December 2021. The association brings companies together, promotes dialogue and supports the further development of environmental, social and ethical business practices.

Partnership for Sustainable Textiles

We have been a member of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles since 2014. Together with our partners, we are working to promote social, environmental and human rights standards in the textile industry.

For less plastic on your skin

Did you know that when it comes to plastic, it’s also worth taking a look in your wardrobe? That’s because many textiles contain synthetic fibres such as polyester or acrylic. When washed, tiny plastic particles can be released from these and end up in the wastewater.

A quick look at the label reveals what’s in your clothes: we’ve been focusing on natural fibres since 1976, and today 99.6% of our collection consists of materials of natural origin.* This also applies to our fleece products, which are made from pure natural fibres such as organic cotton and organic virgin wool.

*Proportion of pure natural fibres and regenerated cellulose fibres in the total weight of all products delivered in the 24/25 financial year.

Recycling
Recycling at hessnatur

One focus of our ongoing development is on reusing existing raw materials for new products through recycling. A first for our Autumn/Winter collection are our coats made from 100 per cent recycled wool. To achieve this, our long-standing Italian partner, the family-run company Manteco, sorts production offcuts from Europe and North Africa, processes them mechanically and transforms them into new yarns. Another special feature is that the yarns produced in this way derive their colour from the careful blending of the recycled fabrics; they are therefore not dyed again.

Social standards. Our 8 basic rules.

The eight core labor standards are based on the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. They explicitly regulate the working conditions at our production sites.

Our social standards address many issues that are also covered by local legislation in the countries of production—however, the rules do not always coincide. In all cases where there are differences between our social standards and local legislation, the stricter regulation takes precedence.

Animal welfare. Our approach.

Animal fibres such as wool have been used for centuries in the manufacture of clothing. They are valued for their natural properties, such as their warmth, temperature-regulating and elastic qualities, as well as their ability to absorb moisture.

At the same time, the sourcing of animal-derived materials requires a responsible approach. We have therefore established binding guidelines for ourselves and our partners and are working to ensure their implementation throughout the supply chain. Animal welfare is a key aspect of our collaboration.

50 years of hessnatur. Our Impact Report.

What matters to us? What have we achieved? What would we have liked to have done differently? Since 1976, we have been constantly reimagining fashion. You can find out exactly what we’re doing to achieve this in our Impact Report. Everything about our partners, projects and standards