Organic Cotton and hemp are a perfect match to add a summerly fabric to our DetoxDenim Shorts offer. Hemp is stronger than cotton and comes with antibacterial properties and a good affinity for dyestuff.
Hemp is an age-old crop, that had long lost relevance in Europe but is gaining importance. In some countries like Germany, hemp culitvation was even forbidden till the mid 90s. Though hemp is a sustainable alternative with a number of ecologial benefits. Our hemp is cultivated in France without genetically modified seeds, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and insecticides. And it's grown without additional irrgiration, relying on rain water.
To gain fibers from hemp, convential techniqus include water baths. Instead our partner uses field retting, a traditional method. Plants are left on the field, water use is avoided by reyling on humidity and rain water.
In the mechanical processing, no water or chemicals are used, energy is coming from renewable sources.
For our DetoxDenim shorts with hemp that means 24% less water use and 30% land use compared to conventional cotton fabrics. That includes stages from cotton culivation to fabric production.
[Source: ORTA Cradle-to-gate LCA. Fabric with 84% organic cotton, 14% hemp und 2% Elastane vs. Fabric with 98% conventional cotton and 2 % Elastane.]
