Fashion that respects people and the environment while conserving resources. Fashion that takes responsibility in the here and now and for more tomorrow. Also for the people who make them. This is how we make our contribution every day to make the now and the future a little better. We show you here how we act responsibly. FOR MORE TOMORROW.
We have reduced CO2 emissions simply by using organic cotton. This is a flight from Frankfurt to New York. Every day!
We saved water just by using organic cotton. That's the equivalent of 369 Olympic-size swimming pools.
We have left behind a healthy earth through organic farming. With this we have protected an area of 2,667 football pitches from leaching. And provided for more biodiversity.
We have audited or visited our partners despite the pandemic. We know 100% of our partners personally.
The fibers we use are natural fibers.
our materials consisted of only one material. This enables sorted recycling.
of our partners have been working with us for more than 10 years.
our materials were produced in Europe.
our production took place in EU member states.
Leftover cuts and threads were given new life in the form of jeans, jerseys and fabrics. Because we create new favorite pieces from our own valuable production leftovers.
Beehives in hessnatur's own garden contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
our employees covered during our step challenge. 20 teams. 47 days. We walked from Butzbach to Nepal. On foot.
We think in cycles and give our cuttings and yarn leftovers a second life. This is how new favorite pieces are created from our own production leftovers. For a sustainable material cycle system. Resource-saving and without the use of harmful chemicals. This is our BetterRecycling collection.
More about our leftover recyclingWith our BetterRecycling Denim, we are laying the foundation for a revolution in fashion production.
More about our fashion revolutionMules, slip-ons, sneakers - our organic selvedge denim ensures a good appearance thanks to upcycling.
More about our upcycled shoesOur aim is to be an international role model for labor and social standards and to continuously develop them further. That is why we are regularly certified by non-profit and government organizations. Our Impact Report also documents every year how we develop, implement and further promote sustainable measures.
Transparency from cultivation to the hanger: Find out more about our production facilities and materials.
We select our production sites carefully and only work with partners who share our mindset.
We carry out regular checks and have introduced independent contact and complaints offices.
We regularly train employees and management in all our sites and areas.
We have been awarded leader status by the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) since 2017 and are committed to implementing high social standards and good working conditions.
FWF is an independent, internationally active multi-stakeholder organization. Their goals are to improve working conditions in clothing manufacturers and to promote collective social responsibility. This happens, for example, through international dialogue with unions, workers, management and brands, through audits, training and the establishment of a neutral international grievance mechanism for workers in the textile industry. As the first German brand, hessnatur joined the FWF in 2005.
OUR VISION: A FAIR FUTURE. FOR EVERYBODY.
High social standards, fair working conditions, promising perspectives - the future of our partners' workers is also our responsibility. That's why we rely on fair prices, long-term partnerships, training and education. The Workplace Education Program (WEP) initiated by the Fair Wear Foundation informs workers and management about their rights, obligations and social standards. Awareness training also teaches communication mechanisms that can improve working conditions. At hessnatur itself, too, all new employees take part in an onboarding session on the values and practiced sustainability in the company.
For us, trusting in nature means using natural materials from controlled organic cultivation during production. Environmentally friendly processes and good working conditions are equally important. Learn more about the making and life of our fashion:
Strict ecological guidelines and regular controls ensure modern sustainability.
All organic - from cotton seeds and organic fertilizers to crop rotation and natural pest control.
Only good yarn becomes good fabric. It is strictly controlled that there is no contamination with conventional fibers.
The manufacturing process uses natural sizing agents to protect the yarn against wear and tear.
We conserve materials and resources by using oxygen for bleaching, dyes without toxic heavy metals and water recycling systems, among other things.
We are always in close contact with production facilities and, in cooperation with the FWF, we continuously strive for better working conditions.
We pay attention to short transport routes and environmentally friendly packaging - one of the reasons why we focus on production in Europe.
The eight core labor standards are based on the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the UN Declaration of Human Rights. They expressly regulate the working conditions at our production sites.
Our social standards address many issues that are also covered by local legislation in the production countries - however, the rules do not always correspond to one another. In all cases where there are differences between our social standards and local legislation, the stricter regulation takes precedence.
We want to rethink sustainability. That's why climate-neutral is not enough for us. We want more. We want to become nature-positive throughout our value chain. We think that the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity are equally important - that's why we're tackling both problems directly. In order to achieve this goal, we take a close look at every aspect of our supply chain and align the entire textile chain with a nature-positive future.
Tomorrow's world builds on today's resources. We see a sustainable production process not only as our responsibility, but as an investment in the future.
We save energy.
We use the latest technologies to reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gases in the production of our textiles.
We save water.
Thanks to our recycling system, we prevent water scarcity and pollution at every stage of production. And with just one BIO-DENIM we save up to 45,000 bottles of water.
We protect floors.
Through our ecological cultivation and grazing methods, we keep soil fertile now and for future generations.
We preserve biodiversity.
We protect ecosystems and biodiversity by using organic fertilizers and natural enemies of pests.
By the way: 99.6% of the fibers we use are natural fibers. In addition, 78% of our materials consist of only one material, which means that sorted recycling is possible.
Our fashion was organic before organic was fashionable. For more than 45 years we have stood for more tomorrow. Purpose has been a must for us since we were founded. Every day we prove that fashion and sustainability don't have to be mutually exclusive. This striving is an elementary part of our DNA, regardless of the zeitgeist. Because we are firmly convinced that consistent action in harmony with nature and fair cooperation will never go out of fashion.
Out of the desire for natural baby clothing, Dorothea and Heinz Hess founded hessnatur in 1976. Today, more than 45 years later, more than 350 employees work at hessnatur, who work every day for more tomorrow. Every year, we not only allow ourselves to be put through our paces several times by external organizations in terms of sustainability, but also set our own standards with the hessnatur guidelines.
Our mission has always remained the same: to produce fashion from sustainable and natural materials that Respects people and the environment while conserving resources. Fashion that takes responsibility - also for the people who make it. Because everyone has a right to fairness. We live this tradition every day out of conviction.
Heinz and Dorothea Hess found hessnatur with the idea of making fashion from sustainable and natural materials that respects the environment and people.
With the Sekem farm in Egypt, Heinz Hess realizes the world's first organic cotton project. Other organic cotton projects follow.
hessnatur starts an organic cotton project in Senegal and another organic cotton project in Peru.
The first website goes online.
hessnatur protects the old breed from dying out with a purchase guarantee for the wool of Rhön sheep.
hessnatur starts an organic cotton project in Turkey.
hessnatur supports the New SADLE project in Nepal and the Nepra eV initiative, which works to integrate people who were formerly leprous.
hessnatur becomes the first German member of the Fear Wear Foundation.
Together with the Swiss development organization Helvetas, hessnatur establishes a cultivation project for organic cotton in Burkina Faso.
Together with the Institute for Biodynamic Research (IBDF), hessnatur is launching the first production of Hessen linen.
hessnatur wins the German Sustainability Award in the Purchasing category and is recognized for the exemplary, fair and ecological supply chain.
hessnatur announces the first European design award for green and sustainable fashion, the Humanity in Fashion Award (HIFA).
The internationally renowned designers Eviana Hartman, Miguel Adrover and Clodagh create their own collection for hessnatur.
For the first time, a customer council is elected at hessnatur.
The first comprehensive sustainability report is published, documenting the high level of quality in social and ecological standards.
hessnatur is the first company to sign the federal government's "Alliance for Sustainable Textiles".
After the great earthquake catastrophe, employees and management initiate a fundraising campaign for our social project New SADLE.
The hessnatur foundation for research and development of applied sustainability is established to promote sustainability in the textile industry.
hessnatur starts the 40th anniversary year with a trend talk on the subject of 'slow fashion' at the Berlin Fashion Week.
With the Selvedge Jeans project, hessnatur shows that exemplary textiles can also be produced in Bangladesh.
hessnatur supports shepherds in Peru by building houses.
During Berlin Fashion Week, 200 like-minded people followed hessnatur's call to demonstrate for more fairness in fashion.
The entire hessnatur collection receives the German Green Button textile seal.
Hessnatur is rated by customers as the most sustainable fashion brand in Germany.
hessnatur launches the most sustainable denim and the BetterRecycling collection.
We win the Federal Ecodesign Award for our innovative soft shell made from pure organic cotton with sustainable impregnation.
hessnatur receives the 'Top Company' award from kununu.
"The reconciliation of economic and ecological requirements of our modern society can only succeed through sustainable development ."
Heinz Hess
Progress only works if you get things moving. And that's exactly what we've been doing since 1976. Our motto "For more tomorrow" is based on the core principle of sustainability. The high social standards in our production facilities and the careful use of natural resources make hessnatur the most sustainable brand in Germany.
The fashion industry is considered the second dirtiest industry in the world. It causes 10% of global CO2 emissions, contributes significantly to global water pollution and employs workers on poor terms. For more than 45 years, hessnatur has been proving that there is another way and is working according to the highest standards. All products bear the Green Button and meet the hessnatur guidelines. We have the leader status of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF). In addition, many of our products are GOTS-certified.
We strive to only use natural, organic materials. We exclude human and environmental toxic substances in the entire manufacturing process. The use of organic cotton alone saves an average of 91% water and 46% CO2. In addition, organic farming does not deplete the soil. 92% of our products made from plant fibers are of certified organic origin. All others correspond to our hessnatur guidelines and are therefore also of biological origin.
OUR IDEA OF SUSTAINABILITY: CONSTANT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
Sustainability is not a fixed state that can be grasped. Also no finish line to cross. For us, sustainability means constantly questioning the status quo; the further development and advancement of innovative, resource-saving ideas. This is the only way we can bring products and production into harmony with people and nature.
Together we are more sustainable:
the hessnatur foundation
We not only promote the topic of sustainability in our production facilities and in the extraction of our raw materials. We develop practical solutions for sustainable management with external partners, companies and scientific institutions.For more cohesion.
The future only works with companies that dare to innovate. hessnatur has been committed to sustainable standards in the fashion industry for over 45 years.
Hessnatur has been a pioneer for ecological and social standards in fashion since 1976. We were the first fashion brand in Germany to offer a completely natural baby collection and, as international pioneers, initiated the world's first organic cotton project in 1991. With our hessnatur foundation and in cooperation with NGOs and textile certification bodies, we work continuously to be the innovation leader for the coming generation.