ODLO products receive OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate

18 Jan '13

6 min read

Through the combination of innovative fibres and material developments - for example, the “effect by ODLO” in which an anti-odour effect is achieved through the use of silver ions in the fibre - as well as through its state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, such as the “cubic” method, a special knitted design with a cubic structure for an improved climate regulation, the company reinforces its high standards and aspirations for modern functional clothing. Sabine Klapper goes even further: “Our uncompromising quality standard is 100% function, 100% performance and 100% comfort. But multi-functional use alone is not a guarantor of promised success. This is why we also make create collections with attractive designs, fresh styles and sophisticated color highlights.”

Safe and sustainable products

In the sportswear and functional underwear segments, ODLO has market shares of between 30% and 50% depending on the country. According to Sabine Klapper this is because the company concentrates on customer needs: “As the inventor of functional underwear we know how crucial an optimum body climate is during sport. Therefore we have developed appropriate sports underwear for each temperature and activity.”

With the four heat qualities of cool, light, warm and x-warm, the ODLO functional underwear collections cover the entire temperature and activity spectrum. Depending on the requirement, the focus of the functional properties is on breathability, moisture transportation or heat insulation.

In addition, all items in the underwear collections and the tec-Shirts in the ODLO mid-layer sector comply with the human/ecology requirements of the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and signal to consumers through the “Confidence in textiles” label that the textile products are harmless to health in relation to possible pollution through harmful substances.

The company has also implemented the concept of sustainability into its work processes and decisions. Sabine Klapper explains: “Sustainability is also becoming more important in the sports sector. The consumer expects high-quality products yet also wants to be confident that these have been produced in an ecological and socially-responsible way.” ODLO has for many years placed particular emphasis on acting with ecological and social responsibility.

For instance over 10 years ago producers were required to sign a code of conduct which even at that time contained the very important points such as a ban on child labour and a ban on unpaid and excessive overtime. In 2009 all ODLO suppliers signed the Fair Wear Foundation Code of Conduct. ODLO works with fewer than 20 producers and on a long-term and partnership basis.

Furthermore in 2011 the company produced about 75% of the 6.6 million parts primarily in its own production facilities and mainly in Europe (Portugal and Romania). Sabine Klapper: “This situation enables ODLO to have a direct influence on the production conditions and it also makes transport routes shorter and easier to control.

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