Despite its rich history, linen is now mainly a niche fabric only to manufacture a handful of textile products. It is considered one of the longest-produced textiles and its history may date back even further than the most ancient evidence that modern archaeology has uncovered.
FIBRE: Linen/Flax
SOURCE: Natural fibres obtained from the stalks/stem of flax plants
MAIN PRODUCER: China
POSSIBLE BLENDS: Cotton, Polyester, Lyocell, Woll, Polyamide
CHARACTERISTICS: Absorbent, Cool touch, Doesn’t stretch,Grants a wrinkled look to the fabric, Anti-static, Non-allergenic, Durable, High mechanical resistance specially when wet, Able to withstand high temperatures, Highly breathable, Low heat retention
COMMONLY USED IN: Clothing, Home Textiles and Technical Applications
POSSIBLE CERTIFICATIONS: Masters of Linen, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
FUN FACT: Ireland was the centre of European linen production in the 18th century, and the town of Belfast was known as “Linenopolis” because of its thriving linen trade.
CARBON FOOTPRINT: Generally, linen is considered a relatively sustainable fabric compared to many other materials. It has a lower carbon footprint than synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, primarily due to its lower energy consumption during cultivation and processing.