Everywhere you look Linen products are available, so why choose Libeco?
In Flanders, Belgium in 1858. During that time, weaving was a flax farmers’ specialty, a way to earn extra money during severe winter months when it was too cold to work the land. Around the same time the first mechanical, steam-powered weaving mills were popping up in the countryside. Around the turn of the century, the Libeert family built there own weaving mill.five generations of the Libeert family still operate at the same site today, more than 150 years later, where the best flax in the world is grown.
WHAT IS BELGIAN LINEN?
The Belgian Linen™ label stands for linen fabrics that are woven in Belgium with European flax yarn. To obtain the label, the linen has to comply to these criteria:
- The linen fabric has to be woven in Belgium
- At least 85% of the weight of the flax used has to be natural flax fibers of EU-origin
- Only 6 weavers in the world may use this label. All Libeco products carry the Belgium label.
What is the difference between Belgian Linen and Belgian Flax Linen or European Flax Linen?
These labels suggest that the products are produced with flax grown in Belgium or Europe. However, these labels do not guarantee that the fabric is woven by Belgian weavers, as they are not synonymous with Belgian Linen™. Be aware that these linen products are mostly produced outside of Europe, not adhering to the same strict quality standards applied in our Belgian millers.
WHAT IS A BELGIAN ROYAL WARRANT HOLDER?
This title is granted to businesses who provide services or goods to the Royal Belgian Court. The King of Belgium appoints the title himself.
Not everyone can become a warrant holder at the Belgian Court. In addition to actually supplying the Royal Palace on a regular basis, the candidate must introduce a request to the Steward of the King’s Civil List. The request is then carefully examined, with regard to the very precise conditions of concession.
Libeco was granted the title of Royal Warrant Holder in 2006 and has kept the the title ever since.
WHAT IS MASTERS OF LINEN®?
Libeco is proud to be a member of the Masters of Linen® Club. Masters of Linen® is a registered mark. It is a sign of excellence for linen that is entirely made in Europe, from field to flax fibre, from yarn to linen fabric. The label is governed by the European Confederation of Linen and Hemp, uniting flax farmers, linen artisans and weavers.
WHAT IS GOTS?- GLOBAL ORGANIC TEX
Libeco organic Belgian Linen is GOTS certified.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognized as the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. What makes it different from other certifications is that it includes a list of process-related criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain. To obtain a certification, the product needs to comply with social criteria such as working conditions, pay, and stringent health and safety standards throughout the supply chain.
Flax is an extremely sustainable fibre. Here are some reasons why:
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It requires no irrigation: the flax plant loves the Belgian climate (wet and moderate). The natural circumstances are ideal for flax cultivation so the plant doesn’t need extra irrigation.
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No GMO's or crop protectors: the organic collections are made out of flax that is cultivated organically, without the use of GMOs, crop protectors or fertilisers.
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There is no waste: all parts of the flax plant can be used as a resource for other products.