Textiles

Linen

Linen is a natural fiber from the flax plant, which is grown with low water consumption and without pesticides. It is tear-resistant, breathable, dirt-repellent, and completely biodegradable – ideal for FSC- or PEFC-certified forestry and widely used in European timber construction.

What is linen?

Linen is one of the oldest and most refined natural fibres in the world. It is obtained from the stems of the flax plant and is known for its high strength, breathability, and natural sheen.

As a durable material, linen is used for clothing, home textiles, and upholstery fabrics. Its cooling effect makes it particularly pleasant to wear in summer. It is also dirt-repellent, long-lasting, and fully biodegradable.

How is linen produced?

Linen comes from the flax plant, which thrives in the temperate climate zones of Europe – primarily in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. After harvesting, the stems are retted, broken, and hackled to extract the long, smooth fibres. These are then spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric.

The production of linen is mostly mechanical and involves minimal use of chemicals, making it resource-efficient in processing.

Environmental profile of linen

Growing flax requires significantly less water and fertiliser than cotton, and no pesticides. Flax also improves soil structure and serves as a cover crop in certified arable farming.

1. Raw material sourcing

Flax grows quickly, is robust, and requires very little maintenance. As virtually all parts of the plant are used, there is almost no waste – a prime example of efficient resource use.

2. Processing and energy input

The processing of linen involves comparatively low energy consumption. Mechanical processes such as breaking and hackling the fibres make chemical treatment unnecessary. Much of the linen fabric used comes from Europe, enabling short transport distances and a favourable climate balance.

Flax field

3. Durability

Linen is particularly tear-resistant and long-lasting. With every wash, the fabric becomes softer without losing stability. It is resistant to dirt and has antibacterial properties.

4. Reusability

Pure linen fabrics are generally well suited to recycling and can theoretically be reprocessed into new textiles or insulation materials. In practice, however, this rarely happens, as the recycling of natural fibres is technically complex and not yet widely economical. Thanks to their high durability, linen products are typically used for many years and can be composted or thermally recovered at the end of their lifecycle.

5. Biodegradability

Untreated linen is completely biodegradable and breaks down without residue in nature – an ideal material for a closed circular economy.

Technical properties of linen

Property	Value
Material type	Plant fibre (flax)
Density	approx. 1.5 g/cm³
Tensile strength	Very high
Elasticity	Low – dimensionally stable
Moisture absorption	Up to 20% without feeling damp
Resistance	Antibacterial, dirt-resistant, allergy-friendly
Weather resistance	Good, sensitive to prolonged heavy moisture
Colour	Pale beige to grey (undyed)
Workability	Very good – ideal for woven and knitted fabrics
Applications	Bed linen, clothing, table and home textiles, upholstery fabrics

Linen at ekomia

For us, linen embodies natural character and elegance. The combination of a cool hand feel, durable structure, and low-pesticide cultivation in Europe makes it the ideal fabric for our bed linen and home textiles. For our sofa covers in particular, linen is the natural fibre of choice.

Our linen products are unbleached or gently dyed, breathable, vegan, and particularly pleasant against the skin. They align with our commitment to timeless design and responsible materials.

Questions & answers for Linen

Here we answer some questions about Linen that are frequently asked by other users.

Linen is a natural fibre made from flax, which is grown without pesticides and with minimal water consumption. It is breathable, moisture-regulating and antibacterial. Thanks to its high tear resistance, durability and natural texture, it is ideal for clothing, home textiles and furniture – elegant and timeless.

Linen covers are best washed at 40°C on a gentle cycle with mild detergent without bleach. Do not overfill to avoid creasing. Spin at low speed and air dry instead of using a dryer. It is best to iron while slightly damp to keep the fabric soft and smooth.

Linen scores highly in terms of its environmental footprint: the fibre is derived from flax, a plant that requires very little water, fertiliser or pesticides. It is mostly grown locally in Europe, which reduces transport distances. Furthermore, linen is biodegradable, durable and fully compostable.

Yes, linen is extremely durable.

This natural fiber is particularly tear-resistant—even stronger than cotton—and becomes softer with every wash without losing any of its strength. Linen is abrasion-resistant, durable, and retains its shape even after years of use—ideal for textiles and covers that are designed to give pleasure for a long time.

Since linen is hardly elastic, wrinkles form after washing. However, many people appreciate precisely this casual, natural look. If you prefer a smoother finish, you can iron linen while it is slightly damp or smooth it with steam