Manufacturing & materials
A mission
Merz b. Schwanen has set itself a mission. The mission to create classic textiles in the ‘good old’ style. In order to successfully fulfil this mission, the company relies on natural raw materials such as organic cotton, which can be found in every Merz b. Schwanen cotton product.
But what makes organic cotton so special?
On the one hand, special and complex irrigation systems are used for cultivation in order to irrigate each individual plant in a targeted manner. This is called drip irrigation and is so efficient that every single cotton T-shirt saves over 430 litres of water. In addition, 46% fewer CO² emissions are produced during cultivation and, of course, no toxic chemicals are used.
However, the issue of sustainability does not end with the cultivation of the raw materials. Every year in the EU, an estimated 16 million tonnes of waste are produced by the textile industry alone. But here too, Merz b. Schwanen is doing its bit to improve the problem. A regional company collects textile waste and remnants, which are recycled using renewable energy. For this reason, Merz b. Schwanen does not rely on constantly changing trends and the latest collections in its production, but has specialised in the manufacture of timeless pieces that never go out of fashion.
Good Originals
The Good Original series epitomises the company's tradition and origins. Inspired by vintage styles from the 1920s to the 1980s, these pieces are still produced on the historic circular knitting machines located in the south of Germany.
The following textiles are used to produce the Good Originals:
Maco Imit:
67 % organic cotton / 33 % viscose
Maco Imit has been around for almost 100 years and has always been a popular substitute for genuine, high-quality but equally expensive Maco cotton from Egypt. It is a natural, chemically untreated and lightweight material that guarantees maximum comfort.
Prima quality
Prima Qualität fabrics are made from 100% organic cotton and are pleasantly light to wear against the skin. They are durable and have not undergone any chemical pre-treatment. ‘Prima Qualität’ is a two-ply knitted fabric that still has a fine structure, but is somewhat more tactile.
Prima quality light
Prima Qualität fabrics are made from 100% organic cotton and are pleasantly light to wear against the skin. They are durable and have not undergone any chemical pre-treatment. As the name suggests, ‘Prima Qualität Fein’ is the finer version of ‘Prima Qualität’ thanks to its single-thread structure and is particularly soft against the skin.
3-ply cotton & 3-ply heavy cotton
100 % organic cotton
Cotton 3-ply is the sweatshirt material for the Good Originals range. This textile is made from a twisted yarn specially created for Merz. b. Schwanen. Thanks to this yarn, the inside of the finished garment is always cosy and soft, without any roughening. The difference to the ‘cotton 3-ply heavy’ version is the heavy sweat fabric with a more robust feel.
Good Basics
The Good Basics embody classic and modern men's and women's designs and are manufactured in selected Portuguese production facilities, allowing Merz b. Schwanen to remain true to its values. In addition to using the best possible textiles and sustainable materials, particular attention is paid to fair working conditions.
The following textiles are used to produce the Good Basics range:
Jersey
100% organic cotton
Jersey is THE fabric par excellence when it comes to modern T-shirts. This is also the case with Merz b. Schwanen. Made from organic cotton and piece-dyed, this material is particularly comfortable against the skin and offers a wide range of colours.
Organic cotton sweat
100% organic cotton
This modern sweat fabric gives every item a casual look and a comfortable feel, making it perfect for everyday wear.
Silkcash
15 % cashmere / 30 % silk / 55 % merino wool
Silkcash is a blend of three of the finest materials in the world. Cashmere, silk and merino make the finished knitted fabric particularly elegant and fine. It also gives the clothing an incredibly soft and smooth feel, which is also an absolute dream for sensitive skin.
