Sustainable Progress

Rethought. Redesigned. Reinvented.

We live in times that require new approaches. Times in which we need to free ourselves from outdated views. Sustainability is deeply rooted in the DNA of our company. As a value-driven company, we share common convictions and want to lead the circular economy in our field.

So we decided to embark on an ambitious project: We wanted to be one of the first companies in the world to launch bags and backpacks made primarily from recycled textiles by 2023. And we succeeded. For our top seller, Hajo Medium Backpack, we recycle about 950g of textile waste. We need more than pure marketing campaigns with low percentages per product. We want to take a big step towards circular production.

Instead of PET bottles from the beverage industry, we now recycle textile waste. A circular economy means that each sector is responsible for its waste. We aim to use textile waste in each product to the maximum extent possible. In doing so, we want to design them to create durable products with low emissions.

For us, a capsule collection is not enough. We will have gradually extended these innovations to the entire collection by 2024. We want to take a leading role and hope for imitators. The industry needs to rethink - and better today than tomorrow.

What are the key improvements for the products?

1

Largest possible percentage of recycled textiles

2

Extended lifetime

3

Reduced ecological footprint

4

Designed for the circular economy

What would such a "reinvention" look like on a backpack?

Sustainability doesn't always have to look 'eco'. In our case, you can hardly tell the difference. Often they are not visible, because we look where no one looks. Hard plastics and foams are hidden in every backpack sold today. We have found a way to avoid all of that and use textile waste instead.

See how it works - step by step:

What are the key innovations used in the products?

We have already implemented these measures in production for all products that use our textile recycling concept:

Steps into circular textile production to replace linear textile production
Recycled textile waste replaces recycled plastic bottles in fiber production
Recycled textile waste is used to make hard felt sheets and replaces PP (Polypropylene) sheets to provide stability
Recycled textile waste is used to make soft felt sheets and replace PE (Polyethylene) foams for cushioning
Chemical and mechanical recycling is used depending on the source of waste
Mechanical stretch is made from PET instead of Elastane
Dope dye replaces the conventional dye method
Dope dye reduces CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions, energy, chemicals and water massively in production
Dope dye provides higher UV stability (Ultraviolet radiation by sun)
Dope dye provides better color fastness to rubbing
Shoulder straps are equipped with ventilation holes

Additionally, for the Lotus Infinity Series:

The material thickness of PU (Polyurethane) is reduced by - 30% to save resources and for better performance
Increased tensile strength, tear resistance, and surface adhesion resistance
Reduces CO₂e emissions, energy, and water in production
Roll-tops are equipped with a specially developed material to provide flexibility and high durability at the same time
Free of solvents such as DMF/VOC (Dimethylformamide/ Volatile Organic Compounds)
Half of the material is made from recycled textile waste and dope-dyed

What is the contribution to the sustainable management of the textile industry?

We hope to initiate pressure on the textile industry with following measurements:

Strong focus on circular textile production to replace linear textile production
Establishment of chemical recycling of textile waste (upcycling) instead of recycling of plastic bottles from the beverage industry
Establishment of the resource-saving fiber-to-filler process (downcycling) of mixed textiles that would otherwise be incinerated
Establishment of the resource-saving dope dye proccess
Transparent communication to accelerate change in the industry

What can everyone do to accelerate change?

Stay up to date - we have prepared information on all topics for you, which you can access via the links below
Look closely at the next purchase and ask the companies how far-reaching their measures are

MORE INFORMATION

Interested in our materials?

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

How can materials be used again and again?

TEXTILE RECYCLING

How do old textiles become new yarns again?

MATERIALS

What makes our materials special?

Ecologi

0 Trees planted

Plastic Fischer

0 kg River Plastic collected