Ingredients

The basis for our high-quality textiles

With very high-quality raw materials, we lay the foundation for our long-lasting products. All of our ingredients are tested for harmful substances according to REACH and STANDARD 100 by OEKOTEX® and are subjected to regular quality tests by us or our partners.

When it comes to sustainability, this area along our value chain presents the greatest challenges. On the one hand, some suppliers currently lack transparency about the conditions under which production takes place. On the other hand, there are no sustainable alternatives that are reliably available, affordable and, ideally, come from a closer region. Last but not least, we are a comparatively small company that can only achieve little on our own.

That's why we joined the Alliance for Sustainable Textiles, subjected our entire supply chain to an audited review process and were given tools to gain more transparency and implement measures.  We also have the opportunity to make a difference locally together with other companies and with the help of government and non-governmental organizations. We are currently involved in the organic cotton partnership initiative in India - because cotton is our most important raw material and this is where our impact is certainly greatest.

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Cotton & yarns

  • 2024: 83,9% share of the ingredients portfolio
    (inl. 0,5% organic cotton)
  • made from natural, renewable raw materials
  • Cultivation type: conventional
  • Growing & processing country: India
  • Country of origin seedlings: India
  • Cultivation & production conditions: not yet known

Procurement of yarns and threads

We source our high-quality cotton yarns and threads from a small group of German yarn dealers. We have been dealing with the topic of organic cotton for many years, have observed the challenges of serious certification and still have a few hurdles to overcome. We need very good, high-quality and long-fiber cotton and very special yarn and thread qualities. The organic cotton market cannot yet guarantee a regular and reliable supply.

Miraculously, we were able to join an organic cotton initiative in India in April 2022 through the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. >>>

About the Organic Cotton Partnership Initiative in India (I)

The Organic Cotton Partnership Initiative in India is a pioneering project that aims to contribute to the development of a fair, environmentally friendly and economically viable organic cotton supply chain. Through various capacity building, awareness raising, networking and procurement activities, the Partnership Initiative (PI) aims to bring tangible benefits to at least 12,500 organic cotton farmers and those converting to organic farming to strengthen their business base and create the right conditions for a growing supply of organic cotton. >>>

About the Organic Cotton Partnership Initiative in India (II)

By ambitiously pursuing the goal of facilitating access to organic cotton and conversion to organic cotton at the farm level for members of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, PI is helping to increase the supply of organic cotton in the global market. As one of the major producers of organic cotton and the country with the largest area under conversion, India has a promising potential to play a lasting role in this area.

The PI was made possible by the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

TENCEL™ Lyocell

  • 2024: 7,4% share of the ingredients portfolio
  • from natural, renewable raw material
  • Producer: Lenzing Group
  • Cultivation method: sustainable forestry
  • Country of cultivation: India (92%), Indonesia (8%)
  • Production conditions: progressive in all areas of sustainability
  • Used by Formesse: Bella Donna Clima, Satinesse Air, Bella Donna summer duvet & pillowcase

TENCEL™ Lyocell from the company Lenzing AG

We have been using the wonderful and sustainable fibre TENCEL™ Lyocell from Lenzing for many years. Lenzing stands for sustainable business and a special commitment to all stakeholders and the environment.

Lyocell is made from the renewable raw material wood and is completely biodegradable. In Lenzing's particularly environmentally friendly lyocell production, only the organic solvent NMMO is used to dissolve the pulp. With this valuable and expensive chemical, the recovery rate with Lenzing technology is more than 99%. The wood used comes exclusively from sustainable forestry.

Rubber

  • 2024: 2,2% share of the ingredients portfolio
  • Partly from natural, renewable raw material
  • Type of cultivation: as yet unknown
  • Country of cultivation: unknown to date
  • Production: 70% natural rubber / 30% synthetic substances
  • Production conditions: not yet known
  • Use at Formesse: all mattress covers

High-quality elasticated border

Our elasticated border consists of 70% natural rubber and 30% synthetic materials. These are important to ensure that the quality is consistent, stitchable, tear-resistant and durable.

We do not currently have any more information on this raw material.

Elastane

  • 2024: 2,4% share of the ingredient portfolio
  • from petrochemical sources
  • Country of production: Brazil, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey
  • Production: high-tech and fully automated
  • Production conditions: not yet known
  • Use at Formesse: all mattress & pillow covers with max. 3% content

Elastane

Most Formesse mattress covers are knitted with a small proportion of elastane of max. 3%. This highly elastic fibre gives the articles an optimum fit and flexibility. A higher material thickness can also be achieved as a result, and the items remain attractive and in shape for longer.
Formesse has already knitted production batches with Roica EF (which consists partly of recycled elastane) and we were able to gain initial experience in terms of processing and quality.

In principle, the use of recycled elastane is possible, but sourcing it is difficult. There are supply bottlenecks and the prices are currently not yet competitive

Polyester

  • 2024: 2,6% share of the ingredients portfolio
  • from petrochemical sources
  • Country of production: India, China
  • Production: high-tech and fully automated
  • Production conditions: not yet known
  • Use at Formesse: Slipcovers, Bella Donna fine terry towelling

Polyester

Our mattress protectors and Bella Donna fine terry fitted sheets are based on a polyester carrier material, which makes them durable and dimensionally stable. If Lyocell or cotton were used in this place, the articles would be more fluffy, unstable, prone to faults and short life span. This does not fit in with our philosophy of slow fashion.

Polyester also contributes to the function of the mattress protectors, as it ensures good air permeability and does not absorb moisture. This allows heat and moisture to circulate perfectly and be processed by the overlying materials such as cotton or TENCEL™ Lyocell.

Polyester sewing thread

  • 2024: 0.2% share of the ingredients portfolio
  • from petrochemical sources
  • Country of production: 83.3% Portugal, 16.7% India
  • Production: unknown to date
  • Production conditions: not yet known
  • Use at Formesse: All products

Polyester sewing thread

The use of high-quality polyester (PES) sewing thread is crucial to the manufacturing quality of our products. This is because only a tear-resistant and hard-wearing seam can withstand the stresses of daily use.

At present, we can only guarantee the highest quality standards and durability of our products with PES sewing thread. PES sewing thread is much more durable than e.g. cotton threads or sewing thread blends. Pure cotton threads are only used for decorative stitching on jeans, for example. However, they would tear when used as seams.

Recycled polyester

  • 2024: 0.6% share of the ingredients portfolio
  • from post-consumer waste
  • Certificate: Global Recycling Standard
  • Certification body: Control Union Certifications B.V.
  • Country of production: China
  • Production conditions: not yet known
  • Use with Formesse: Bella Donna summer duvet and summer pillowcases

Recycled polyester

Recycled polyester (PES) can be identified by its slightly more opaque whiteness compared to conventional PES. This material reduces the need for new raw materials, minimises waste and reduces our ecological footprint. Its production consumes less energy and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions.


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