ECO MATERIALS
NILE loves natural materials like cotton and linen. And materials like viscose, tencel, and lyocell that feel comfortable to the touch. We focus on nature and the environment and select high-quality materials that consume as little natural resources as possible.
When selecting materials, we focus on those that consume as little natural resources as possible.
Sustainable materials that we have turned into new favorites for our current collections:
TencelTM
TENCELTM is a standard for Lyocell and Modal fibers created by Lenzing, a company based in Austria.
The fibers are extracted from sustainably grown timber by means of an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. TENCELTM standard Lyocell and Modal fibers are biodegradable and can be completely returned to nature without harming the environment.
Here at NILE, we use TENCELTM Lyocell and Modal fibers.
Lyocell is a cellulose fiber that is manufactured in an environmentally friendly way and highly valued for its natural properties. Lyocell fibers can be combined with a wide range of other textile fibers, are incredibly resistant and have efficient moisture-wicking properties. As a result, they offer natural comfort and feel pleasant on the skin.
Modal fibers are highly flexible and naturally soft. They feel extraordinarily gentle and pleasant on the skin and are very comfortable to wear.
Our TENCELTM-certified pieces are labeled as such with a special tag.
Eco viscose
The cellulose base material of NILE Eco viscose comes from sustainably managed forests.
The viscose yarn is produced by wet spinning the raw material at various stages. Viscose pieces are easy to care for, breathable, skin-friendly, soft, yet surprisingly durable. Their flowing, smooth drape sets them apart. They are particularly good for intense colors.
Organic cotton
The cultivation of organic cotton does not rely on toxic chemicals. This means that organic farming does not damage the soil, it produces less harmful emissions and requires on average 91% less water and 62% less energy than conventional cotton. We only use organic cotton with approved certification.
Organic cotton (OCS-certified)
NILE is a certified supplier of OCS products (License Number CU1040241). The Organic Content Standard (OCS) verifies the proportion of organically grown materials in a final product and ensures, through complete traceability, that claims about the organic material content are accurate. Furthermore, the OCS standard promotes transparency along the supply chain, building trust in the origin of the materials used.
Our OCS-certified pieces are labeled as such with a special tag.
Organic cotton (GOTS-certified)
NILE is a certified supplier of GOTS products (license number CU1040241). GOTS is one of the strictest and most well-known standards that checks fair and ecological production along the entire supply chain. From the extraction of the raw textile fibers to the weaving, dyeing and sewing, through to the labeling and sale of the final product, the entire socially responsible production process is presented in a transparent and fully traceable way.
Only textiles that are comprised of at least 70% pure natural fibers and have been produced in both an ecologically and socially responsible way are certified. All our GOTS-certified organic materials meet these high requirements.
Our GOTS-certified pieces are labeled as such with a special tag.
Natural Dye
The different facets to sustainability are demonstrated by the Natural Dye shirts from the Flame Natural range. The favorites are not only made out of sustainable organic cotton, they’re also dyed using a totally natural process – using pigments derived through an environmentally friendly process either from plant matter such as bark, leaves, berries and fruit peel, or from natural minerals including soil and clay.
The specially developed dying process with natural pickling agents and tannins minimizes consumption of water and energy. Natural colors are pleasant for the skin and biodegradable.
The different facets to sustainability are demonstrated by our Natural Dye shirts.
Linen
Linen is a high-quality natural fiber obtained from the flax plant with high tear resistance, good moisture absorption, and a subtle sheen. Linen is the perfect summer fabric especially as temperatures rise because it has a slight cooling effect and is also ideal for allergy sufferers. Pure linen with its classic crinkling has been one of the most popular natural materials for years.
Flax farming is particularly environmentally friendly and does not require additional irrigation since the usual amount of rainwater is sufficient for the plant to thrive.
Hemp
Hemp is a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to other natural fibers like cotton and linen, and it’s the oldest and most versatile crop plant in the world.
Hemp fiber is extracted from the stalks of plants in the cannabis family. The stalks are broken down into individual raw hemp fibers and spun into a fine thread in an environmentally friendly process. The hemp plant is very undemanding and resistant to pests, so it can be grown in an environmentally friendly way, without excessive use of resources. Hemp needs up to 80% less water to grow than conventional cotton, and almost entirely eliminates the need for pesticides. This makes hemp a popular raw material for high-quality sustainable clothing.
The durable, breathable fabric is also perfect for wearing in summer: the fibers are soft and floaty, so they feel great against your skin, even for those prone to allergies. Hemp helps regulate your body temperature, repels dirt, is easy to care for and odor-free, and provides natural UV protection.
Recycled polyester
Existing plastics such as PET bottles or synthetic materials are melted and spun into new polyester fibers for use in making garments. This gives a second life to non-biodegradable materials and reduces waste. Production consumes nearly 60% less energy and thus also lowers CO₂ emissions.
Responsible Wool Standard
NILE is a certified supplier of RWS products (License Number CU1040241). The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) ensures high standards of animal welfare and sustainable land management in wool production. The standard guarantees that sheep are treated humanely while also protecting soils and ecosystems in grazing areas. Additionally, the RWS standard promotes social responsibility, such as fair working conditions in wool production.
Our RWS-certified pieces are labeled as such with a special tag.
Responsible Down/Feather
The down and feathers used by NILE helps us ensure that it is ethically sourced and harvested. We demand appropriate husbandry to ensure the animals’ welfare at all times. The extraction of down from live animals and force feeding are prohibited.
PrimaLoft®
We use the Thermoplume® from PrimaLoft® to insulate some of our products. This is a high quality, synthetic filling and insulation material obtained from 100% recycled material. This non-animal down substitute is soft, light, dimensionally stable, warm, and breathable.
Recycled PET
The base material is made from 100% recycled PET (plastic) bottles.
Recycled Viscose
Recycled viscose is made from the short fibers left over from cotton production. Cellulose is extracted from these and processed into viscose yarn.
Recycled Nylon
The basic material used consists of various recycled polyamide fibers and fabrics. Recycled nylon has the same advantages as recycled polyester: It gives a second life to a very common material that is not biodegradable and requires far fewer resources to produce than new nylon.