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 durable, sustainable textiles and home products.

What is linen?

Linen is one of the oldest and most refined natural fibres in the world. It is made from the stalks 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. Thanks to its cooling properties, it feels especially pleasant to wear in summer. It is also dirt-repellent, long-lasting and fully biodegradable.

How is linen produced?

Linen is made from the flax plant, which thrives in the temperate climates of Europe – particularly in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. After harvesting, the stalks are retted, broken and scutched to extract the long, smooth fibres. These are then spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric.

The production of linen is largely mechanical and requires little use of chemicals, which makes it an especially environmentally friendly fibre.

Environmental footprint of linen

Linen is considered an extremely sustainable natural fibre. Flax cultivation requires significantly less water and fertiliser than cotton and can be grown without pesticides. Moreover, flax improves soil structure and is often used as a rotation crop in sustainable farming systems.

1. Sustainability of raw material sourcing

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

2. Processing and energy demand

The processing of linen requires comparatively little energy. Mechanical methods such as breaking and scutching the fibres make chemical treatments unnecessary. Many linen fabrics are produced in Europe, ensuring short transport routes and a low carbon footprint.

Linen products — Products made from linen

Flax field

3. Durability

Linen is exceptionally strong and long-lasting. With every wash, the fabric becomes softer without losing its structural integrity. It is resistant to dirt and has natural antibacterial properties.

4. Reusability

Pure linen fabrics are generally recyclable and can theoretically be reprocessed into new textiles or insulation materials. In practice, however, this rarely happens, as fibre recycling is technically complex and economically uncommon. Thanks to its high durability, linen products are typically used for many years and can be composted or thermally recycled at the end of their life cycle.

5. Biodegradability

Untreated linen is fully biodegradable and decomposes in nature without leaving residues – an ideal material for a 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-repellent, allergy-friendly
Weather resistance	Good, sensitive to prolonged humidity
Colour	Light beige to grey (natural)
Workability	Very good – ideal for woven and knitted fabrics
Typical uses	Bedding, clothing, table and home textiles, upholstery fabrics

Linen at ekomia

For us, linen embodies pure naturalness and elegance. Its cool touch, durable texture and sustainable cultivation make it the ideal fabric for our bedding and home textiles. Especially for our sofa covers, linen is the natural material of our choice.

Our linen products are unbleached or gently dyed, breathable, vegan and wonderfully soft on the skin. They perfectly reflect 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 sustainable natural fiber made from flax. It is breathable, moisture-regulating, and antibacterial. Its high tear resistance, durability, and natural structure make it ideal for clothing, home textiles, and furniture—elegant, timeless, and environmentally friendly.

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.

Yes, linen is very environmentally friendly.

The fiber is obtained from flax, a plant that requires very little water, fertilizer, or pesticides. It is mostly grown regionally in Europe, which shortens transport routes. In addition, linen is biodegradable, durable, and completely compostable—a truly eco-friendly material.

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