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Our mission: Responsibility for people and nature.

Fair and sustainable since 1976.

For 50 years, sustainability has meant taking responsibility for every single step from raw material to finished product. Not made from plastic, but from natural fibers. Because they simply feel better on your skin and do not release harmful substances into the environment.

By choosing sustainable fashion, you help us and our partners to set ever higher ecological and social standards. For fashion that respects people, animals, and the environment—and makes the world a little better every day.

Sustainability in numbers.
99.6 %

of the fibers we use are natural fibers.

100 %

of the cotton we use is organic.

72.5 %

of our materials consist of only one fiber—the ideal prerequisite for recycling textiles.

32 %

of our materials are sourced in Europe.

58 %

of our production is manufactured in EU member states.

20 years

Twenty years ago, we joined the Fair Wear Foundation, which has repeatedly confirmed our commitment to social standards with its Leader status.

22 tons

of our own cutting and yarn scraps have been processed into new products by us since 2018.

76 %

of all our employees are women.

4

Beehives in hessnatur's own garden contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.

12,661 km

were covered by our employees during the 2025 Step Challenge – for which we created a 1,401 m² flowering meadow that absorbed 282 kg of CO2equivalents.

57 %

of our management team are women.

Our highlights.
Better Recycling

We value natural resources and think in terms of cycles. That's why we give new life to fabric and yarn remnants made from natural fibers. For our Better Recycling products, we process them together with raw fibers to create high-quality yarns. For new favorite pieces and a sustainable fashion cycle.

Certifications & memberships

Numerous certifications and memberships demonstrate our commitment to high ecological and social standards. Most of our products are certified according to the Global Organic Standard (GOTS), and the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) has recognized our commitment with its Leader Status every year since 2017.

Further information on GOTS can be found at https://global-standard.org/de

Nature Fleece

35% of the microplastics in the world's oceans come from synthetic clothing (source: European Environment Agency 2022), as they are released during washing and washed into the sea. Not with us. Because our fleece is made from pure natural fibers such as organic cotton and organic merino wool. For a good skin feel and protection of the environment.

Nature instead of plastic

Since day one, we have consciously focused on natural fibers with our No Plastic approach. Today, 99.6% of our materials are of natural origin. In addition, 72.5% of our products consist of only one fiber, which increases their recyclability and makes them recyclable.

From organic cotton from our cultivation project in Greece to Rhön wool from Germany: find out what makes our natural fibers unique here.

This is how the textile chain works at hessnatur.

For us, responsibility means consciously choosing natural materials over synthetics in our manufacturing processes. More environmentally friendly processes and better working conditions are equally important. Learn more about how our fashion is made.

1. The idea

Strict ecological guidelines and regular checks ensure modern sustainability.

2. Cultivation

Completely organic – from cotton seeds and organic fertilizers to crop rotation and natural pest control.

3. Yarn

Only good yarn makes good fabric. Strict controls are in place to ensure that there is no contamination with conventional fibers.

4. Fabric

The manufacturing process protects the yarn from wear and tear with natural sizing agents.

5. Processing

We conserve materials and resources by using oxygen for bleaching, dyes without toxic heavy metals, and water recycling systems, among other measures.

6. Production

We are in close contact with production facilities and work continuously with the FWF to improve working conditions.

7. Packaging

Our shipping cartons are made from 70% recycled paper, and we package 90% of our products in a resource-saving manner using only a paper sleeve.

Signs that we are committed to sustainability.

Together with our partners, we are contributing to sustainable change in the textile industry.

Responsibility
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.

Fair fashion pioneer

In 1976, out of love for a child, an idea was born that was far ahead of its time. While synthetic fibers dominated the fashion market, Dorothea and Heinz Hess deliberately founded their mail-order business against the trend—and thus became pioneers of natural fashion. Their vision: clothing produced in harmony with nature as a healthier alternative to synthetic materials.

Since natural products were hardly available, they were not willing to compromise. Instead, they were one of the first fashion companies to take responsibility for the entire supply chain together with their partners – from the cultivation of the fibers to the finished garment. And with groundbreaking steps such as the initiation of the world's first organic cotton cultivation project, they repeatedly demonstrated the courage to break new ground.

In doing so, they laid the foundation for a partnership of equals that has enabled us, as pioneers of sustainable fashion, to set new ecological and social standards for the industry for 50 years. It is a history we look back on with gratitude and pride. And one we will continue into the future with the same passion.

We set standards. Since 1976.
Foundation of hessnatur

Heinz and Dorothea Hess found hessnatur with the idea of producing fashion from sustainable and natural materials that respects the environment and people.

Pioneering achievement

Heinz Hess realizes the world's first organic cotton project with the Sekem Farm in Egypt. Further organic cotton projects follow.

New paths in West Africa and Peru

hessnatur launches an organic cotton project in Senegal and another organic cotton project in Peru.

hessnatur goes digital

The first website goes online.

Regional commitment

hessnatur protects the old breed of Rhön sheep from extinction by guaranteeing to purchase their wool.

New paths in Turkey

hessnatur launches an organic cotton project in Turkey.

Aid projects worldwide

hessnatur supports the New SADLE project in Nepal and the Nepra e.V. initiative, which works to integrate people who have suffered from leprosy.

Based on fairness

hessnatur becomes the first German member of the Fair Wear Foundation.

Showcase project in Burkina Faso

hessnatur joins forces with the Swiss development organization Helvetas to establish an organic cotton cultivation project in Burkina Faso.

Innovation: Hessen linen

hessnatur, together with the Institute for Biodynamic Research (IBDF), launches the first production of Hessen linen.

Award

hessnatur wins the German Sustainability Award in the purchasing category and is honored for its exemplary, fair, and ecological supply chain.

Promoting young talent

hessnatur announces the first European design award for green and sustainable fashion, the Humanity in Fashion Award (HIFA).

Strong designs

Internationally renowned designers Eviana Hartman, Miguel Adrover, and Clodagh create their own collection for hessnatur.

In dialogue with customers

For the first time, a customer council is elected at hessnatur.

Proven sustainability

The first comprehensive sustainability report is published, documenting the high level of quality in social and ecological standards.

Sustainably exemplary

hessnatur is the first company to sign the German government's national "Alliance for Sustainable Textiles."

Donation aid for Nepal

After the major earthquake disaster, employees and management initiate a donation campaign for our social project New SADLE.

Research for a better tomorrow

The hessnatur Foundation for Research and Development of Applied Sustainability is established to promote sustainability in the textile industry.

40 years of hessnatur

hessnatur kicks off its 40th anniversary year with a trend talk on the topic of "slow fashion" at Berlin Fashion Week.

A role model for Bangladesh

With the Selvedge Jeans project, hessnatur shows that textiles can also be produced in an exemplary manner in Bangladesh.

Houses for shepherds in Peru

hessnatur supports shepherds in Peru by building houses.

#fairfashionmove

During Berlin Fashion Week, 200 like-minded people responded to hessnatur's call to demonstrate for more fairness in fashion.

Green Button certification

The entire hessnatur collection receives the German textile seal Grüner Knopf.

Most sustainable fashion brand

hessnatur is rated by customers as Germany's most sustainable fashion brand.

Innovation

hessnatur launches the most sustainable denim and the Better Recycling collection.

Award-winning softshell

We win the German Ecodesign Award for our innovative softshell made from pure organic cotton with sustainable impregnation.

Award-winning company

hessnatur receives the 'Top Company' award from kununu.

Award for sustainable start-ups

In 2022 and 2023, hessnatur presents the Innovations for Tomorrow Award at the Greentech Festival for start-ups that develop innovative solutions for the fashion industry.

Transparent supply chain

Our commitment to sustainability and transparency in production is recognized with the German Sustainability Award.

German Brand Award

We receive the German Brand Award in two categories for our innovative Nature Softshell made from organic cotton and our online shop.

Online second-hand shop

To give hessnatur's durable favorite pieces a second life, we have integrated a secondhand platform for our customers into our online shop.

Organic cotton from Greece

To shorten supply chains, hessnatur is launching an organic cotton cultivation project in Greece together with partners.

Award-winning design

hessnatur receives the Design Award for sustainable collections from the Association of German Fashion and Textile Designers (VDMD).

German Sustainability Award

We win the German Sustainability Award for our commitment to fair and sustainable fashion as a contribution to the transformation of the fashion industry.

Innovation

hessnatur introduces Bouncy, a material innovation that gives pure organic cotton natural elasticity.

50 years of hessnatur

50 years. One love.
For 50 years, hessnatur has stood for clothing that is created in harmony with people and nature. What began as a vision is now an attitude.

Do you have any questions?

We would be happy to answer them! You can find our contact form.