We have selected the best European linen with the “Masters of Linen” label, that ensures impeccable quality, and it is certified by Global Organic Textile standards. Organic linen is grown without synthetic fungicides, pesticides and herbicides, in fields that are healthier for farmers, wildlife and surrounding communities Linen is a natural textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Flax is a fiber of proximity and, the only plant fiber originating in Europe and needs no irrigation. Garments have been made from linen for thousands of years, and it is one of the oldest fibers used for textile production. Linen is well-known for its strength, absorption and coolness to the touch. Globally, less than 1% of linen is organically grown.

Conventional linen requires far fewer chemical inputs than cotton, but it is still grown with chemical herbicides, fungicides and petroleum based fertilizers, which reduces some of the environmental benefits of the textile. Harvested flax crops from Asian countries are processed into fiber through a water-retting process. This involves soaking the flax crop in rivers or waterways, and results in a high number of pollutants making their way into the waterways. Our harvested flax is dew-retted, so it is exposed to the influence of the sun, dew, rain and soil giving flax its unique golden color. Zero waste plant as all parts of the flax plant are used. The linseed is used for the next flax season, as well as to feed people and animals. Linseed oil is very nutritious and is also found in soap, paint and cosmetics. The shives are processed into animal bedding or chipboards. The long fibers and the highest-quality short fibers are used for textiles. The other short fibers find their use in the insulation or paper industry.

The shives are processed into animal bedding or chipboards. The long fibers and the highest-quality short fibers are used for textiles. The other short fibers find their use in the insulation or paper industry.

We have only facts comparing conventional cotton and conventional linen extracted from the report Textile Exchange in the cultivation stage. Raw material has no blue-water footprint  but if we compare it with processed flax fiber it has advantages. It has a virtual water footprint of 481 l/kg [1] blue water (water consumption) of 2866 l/kg green water (rain fed) and 436 l /kg gray water. Based on Mekonnen and Hoekstra’s 2011 global study, the average world water footprint of conventional cotton lint is 4,242 l/kg blue water and 4264 green water l/kg. So using linen reduces the 88% blue water footprint. Energy used in production of flax fiber is 82% less than conventional cotton.

The 80% impacts, water consumption and primary energy are generated during the use of the washing and ironing phase. One day wearing conventional linen is 6.4 liters compared to cotton which is 26 liters. Assuming linen requires more ironing than cotton; its use requires more energy, although we prefer a more relaxed approach. However, the production of linen requires less water and therefore better in terms of water toxicity. The environmental impact of the linen shirt is considered to be lower than that of the cotton shirt. [2]

[2]

We’d love to see more certified organic linen on the market. No organic linen is sustainable in terms of demand water, but it is still to check if it is produced using a chemical retting process. So we expect to have most of the production using dew-retted flax fibers, detracting from unknown water demand organic cotton.