Materials
Get to know our textiles better
Are you interested in the materials and textiles used at NIKIN? Then you've come to the right place. We'd be happy to tell you more about the different fabrics and product elements.
Organic cotton
Organic cotton is a natural fiber obtained from the seed hairs of the cotton plant. After harvesting, the fibers are cleaned, spun into yarn, and then knitted or woven into fabric. The main difference from conventional cotton lies in cultivation: organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and without genetically modified seeds. We like to use organic cotton for T-shirts, hoodies, and other sustainable clothing because it is soft on the skin, breathable, and comfortable to wear every day. It is suitable for durable basics that you can wear often and for a long time.
Recycled cotton
Recycled cotton is made from existing cotton scraps. This can be cutting waste from textile production or old cotton textiles. The materials are collected, sorted, mechanically shredded, and reprocessed into fibers. These fibers can then be spun into new yarn and processed into fabric. We like recycled cotton because it uses existing resources, thus reducing the need for new cotton. This is an important step for sustainable clothing: something existing is transformed into a new material that feels soft and is well suited for durable everyday products.
Our recycled cotton comes from 100% pre-consumer materials and is mechanically reprocessed using the innovative RCO100® technology from our partner Säntis Textiles – without the addition of new cotton or synthetic fibers.
Nettle (fibers)
Nettle fibers are extracted from the stems of the nettle plant. The plant grows quickly and is naturally robust. For textile production, the fibers are separated from the plant stem, cleaned, dried, and processed into yarn. Similar to linen or hemp, nettle belongs to the bast fibers. The material can be light, breathable, and comfortable on the skin. We find nettle fibers exciting because they show how versatile natural fibers can be. For sustainable textiles, they offer an alternative to classic materials and bring a piece of nature directly into the fabric.
TENCEL™ Lyocell
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a soft fiber made from wood. The wood comes from responsibly managed sources and is processed into pulp. In a closed-loop manufacturing process, this pulp is dissolved and spun into new fibers. A large proportion of the solvents used can be reused. We like to use TENCEL™ Lyocell because the material is particularly soft, breathable, and skin-friendly. It feels cool and comfortable, making it ideal for sustainable clothing worn directly against the skin. Especially for shirts, tops, and light fabrics, Lyocell provides a natural feel.
Bamboo viscose
Bamboo viscose is a cellulose fiber derived from bamboo. For this, bamboo is processed into pulp. This pulp is dissolved, pressed through fine nozzles, and then solidified into fibers. These fibers are then spun into yarn, which can be processed into soft fabrics. Bamboo grows quickly and requires comparatively little space for cultivation. However, as a viscose fiber, its sustainability strongly depends on the manufacturing process. We particularly like bamboo viscose for its soft touch, lightweight feel, and pleasant surface. It is suitable for textiles that should feel gentle against the skin.
Hemp (fibers)
Hemp is a natural bast fiber derived from the stalks of the hemp plant. The plant grows quickly, is robust, and often requires little water and pesticides for cultivation. For textile production, the fibers are extracted from the stalk, cleaned, combed, spun into yarn, and processed into fabric. Hemp fibers are durable, breathable, and become pleasantly soft over time. We like to use hemp for sustainable textiles because the material is long-lasting and well-suited for clothing that accompanies you in everyday life and outdoors. Robust, natural, and made for many journeys.
Tree-free paper
Tree-free paper is not made from wood fibers but from alternative plant fibers. At NIKIN, we use bagasse for this, a residual product from sugarcane processing. After the juice is pressed from the sugarcane, fibrous plant residues remain. These fibers can be cleaned, processed, and turned into paper. This way, paper is produced without directly requiring wood as a raw material. We use tree-free paper, for example, for hangtags or tree certificates, because it utilizes existing by-products and aligns well with our commitment to using resources more consciously.

naNea by Oceansafe
naNea® by OceanSafe is a polyester fiber developed for circular textiles. The material is manufactured to offer similar advantages to classic polyester: it is lightweight, durable, and dimensionally stable. In the textile industry, the fiber is processed into yarn and then knitted or woven. The approach behind naNea® is particularly exciting: the material is designed to be returned to biological or technical cycles after use. We use naNea® because it combines function and responsibility. It is suitable for durable clothing with a forward-looking perspective.
NOOSA®
NOOSA® is a bio-based fiber made from polylactide, or PLA for short. PLA is derived from plant-based raw materials such as corn or sugar cane. The resulting lactic acid is used to produce a polymer that can be spun into fibers. In the textile industry, NOOSA® is processed into yarn and then knitted or woven into fabric. The material is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable against the skin. We use NOOSA® because it offers an exciting alternative to conventional fibers and was developed for circular approaches. It is particularly well-suited for clothing that should feel light, soft, and modern.
Sympatex®
Sympatex® is a functional membrane for weatherproof clothing. It is integrated into fabrics as a thin layer and protects against rain and wind. At the same time, water vapour can escape to the outside, making the jacket comfortable to wear during activity. In the textile industry, Sympatex® is often used in multi-layered materials, for example in rain jackets. The membrane is PFAS-free, PTFE-free and recyclable. We use Sympatex® for our TreeJacket Rain because it combines reliable weather protection with a more responsible material approach. This way you stay dry outdoors without sacrificing breathability.
Post-Consumer Returns
Post-Consumer Returns refers to materials that have already been used by customers and subsequently returned. Instead of treating these textiles as waste, they are collected, sorted, and prepared for new material cycles. Depending on the material, the products can be mechanically shredded, processed into fibers, or fed into other recycling processes. The goal is to keep existing resources in circulation for longer. We like this approach because it directly addresses clothing that is already in circulation. Worn products can thus become a raw material for new sustainable textiles.
Merino wool
Merino wool comes from Merino sheep and is one of the finest types of wool. The sheep are shorn, the wool is washed, combed, spun into yarn, and then processed into fabric. Merino wool is naturally temperature-regulating, breathable, and odor-resistant. It warms without feeling heavy and remains comfortable even during movement. We like to use Merino wool for clothing that accompanies you outdoors and in everyday life. It offers natural comfort, especially in cooler temperatures. Conscious handling of animal materials and the most transparent origin possible are important to us.
Polylana®
A young label with a clear vision: Fashion with impact. For every item sold, we plant a tree – and are committed to greater sustainability at all levels.
Whether it's materials, production or shipping: We choose consciously, think ahead and act responsibly. Behind it all is a passionate team and a community that wants to make a difference with us step by step (or tree by tree).
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a robust iron-based material, refined with other elements such as chromium. This makes it resistant, durable, and corrosion-proof. For products like drinking bottles, stainless steel is shaped, cleaned, and processed into stable containers. In double-walled bottles, an insulating gap is created between two layers of stainless steel. We use stainless steel because it lasts a long time, is taste-neutral, and is well-suited for reusable products. A stainless steel bottle accompanies you in everyday life, when traveling, and outdoors, and helps to avoid single-use bottles.
Recycled stainless steel
Recycled stainless steel is made from existing stainless steel, for example, from production scraps or discarded metal products. The material is collected, sorted, melted down, and processed into new stainless steel. The most important properties are retained: stainless steel is robust, durable, corrosion-resistant, and taste-neutral. We use recycled stainless steel because existing resources can continue to be used instead of new raw materials. This is particularly sensible for drinking bottles and other reusable products. This creates a durable material for your everyday life, on the go, and outdoors.
Recycled polyester
A young label with a clear vision: Fashion with impact. For every item sold, we plant a tree – and are committed to greater sustainability at all levels.
Whether it's materials, production or shipping: We choose consciously, think ahead and act responsibly. Behind it all is a passionate team and a community that wants to make a difference with us step by step (or tree by tree).
Elastane
Elastane is a synthetic fiber primarily known for its elasticity. In the textile industry, it is usually only mixed in small quantities with other fibers. This makes a fabric more elastic, adapts better to the body, and retains its shape. Elastane is made from polyurethane and processed into very fine, stretchable fibers. We consciously use elastane where freedom of movement, comfort, and a good fit are important. Especially for underwear, socks, or close-fitting products, it ensures that the material moves with you and fits comfortably.
ECONYL®
ECONYL® is regenerated nylon made from nylon waste. This includes, for example, old fishing nets, fabric scraps, or other industrial plastic waste. These materials are collected, cleaned, and returned to their original building blocks. This creates new nylon yarn, which can then be processed into fabric again. ECONYL® is durable, elastic, and well-suited for functional textiles such as swimwear or products that need to withstand a lot of wear and tear. We use ECONYL® because it utilizes existing waste as a resource and demonstrates how a technical material can live on in a circular economy.
Recycled Glass
Recycled glass is made from used glass that is collected, sorted by color, cleaned, and crushed. The small glass shards are melted down and formed into new glass. Glass can be recycled again and again without losing its fundamental properties. It is taste-neutral, durable, and free of plasticizers. We use recycled glass wherever it fits a conscious, reusable product. This way, existing resources are utilized, and old glass becomes something new for your everyday life.
Linen
Linen is obtained from the stalks of the flax plant. After harvesting, the plants are dried and processed so that the fibers detach from the stalk. Then, they are cleaned, combed, spun into yarn, and woven into fabric. Linen is a natural bast fiber that feels light, cool, and airy. The material is breathable, robust, and becomes pleasantly soft over time. We like to use linen for sustainable clothing on warm days because it offers a natural feel and is well-suited for durable summer pieces.
How we choose our materials
When selecting our materials and fabrics, we follow these guidelines:
- Whenever possible, we always use organic natural fibers. Our goal is to produce as little as possible from synthetic resources.
- We prefer a cotton fiber over a synthetic, non-recycled fiber, even if it is not organic.
- We prefer to use recycled material. This way, we use resources that already exist and do not need to be newly sourced for us. Unfortunately, the quality of the fabric can decrease during recycling and does not always meet our quality standards. If this is the case, we opt for new materials.
- We strive to ensure that accessories such as buttons or zippers are also made from natural or recycled materials. Wash labels or inside labels have a small proportion and are therefore not as strongly in focus. Whenever possible, we also choose a raw material for these that consists of natural or recycled resources.
- It is important to us that the materials are used correctly. Each material has its own properties. We choose materials that are best suited for a product, so that quality and comfort can be guaranteed at an average price.
- The aim is for materials to be traceable.
- NIKIN does not have numerical data to measure the effective sustainability impact. This is also because there are different opinions even among experts regarding the best material. Furthermore, at this point in time and given NIKIN's size, it is unfortunately not possible to research this ourselves. Nevertheless, our goal is always and consistently the conscious selection of material in line with our values such as environmental awareness and closeness to nature.