Hemp: The sustainable fabric still waiting for its fashion breakthrough

Sustainable Hemp Textiles: Why DevoHome Leads Europe’s Eco-Friendly Fabric Revolution

A response to Vanessa Oostijen’s recent article in de Volkskrant magazine exploring the potential and challenges of hemp textiles in the fashion industry

At DevoHome, we’ve established ourselves as pioneers in Europe’s sustainable hemp textile movement, championing this remarkable natural fiber for organic clothing and home essentials. As Europe’s leading provider of hemp bedding, hemp clothing, and eco-friendly hemp products, we were particularly interested in de Volkskrant magazine’s recent exploration of hemp’s potential.

In “Hemp has everything needed to refresh the clothing industry as a natural fiber for textiles,” published May 1, 2025, sustainability journalist Vanessa Oostijen investigates why hemp – despite superior environmental benefits compared to cotton and synthetic fabrics – hasn’t yet achieved its breakthrough moment in sustainable fashion. This analysis perfectly aligns with DevoHome’s mission to transform the textile industry through our premium organic hemp clothing, natural hemp bedding collections, and chemical-free children’s textiles.

The Unfulfilled Promise

The article begins by highlighting a striking contrast: In 2020, Paul Dillinger, head of global product innovation at denim giant Levi’s, told Business Insider that hemp textiles were on the rise, with Levi’s investing in research to scale up production. Fast forward to 2025, and when asked about their hemp development, Levi’s response focused on linen and recycled polyester – with no mention of hemp at all.

This pattern repeats across the industry. Mud Jeans, a circular denim label, acknowledges challenges with hemp adoption due to “availability, costs, and different properties – the fiber is sturdier and stiffer than cotton.” Similarly, sustainable brand Armedangels notes that hemp formed only a tiny portion of their material mix in 2024, though they are “actively working to expand its use.”

A Perfect Sustainable Candidate

Oostijen reminds readers about hemp’s impressive environmental credentials:

• Among all plants and trees, hemp absorbs the most CO₂
• Requires less water than cotton
• Yields more fiber than alternatives like linen
• Once processed into textile, offers numerous beneficial properties

In short, hemp represents an ideal candidate to clean up the clothing industry. So why isn’t it happening

Systemic Barriers to Change

The article identifies several key obstacles through interviews with sustainability experts:
Joan den Exter, a consultant focused on sustainability transition in the fashion industry, points to the cutthroat competitive culture: “It’s everyone for themselves. If you want to introduce a new – or rather, existing – raw material, you need tremendous perseverance.”

Den Exter explains that the fashion industry is stuck in a system where “fast fashion can only be so cheap if you work with synthetic materials.” More problematically, dominant players benefit from maintaining this system: “Just as in the fossil fuel industry and large-scale agriculture, multinationals have an interest in delaying real change as long as possible.”

Both Cultural and Infrastructure Shifts Needed

Julia Kirschner, Director of Impact & Innovation at Armedangels, notes that the challenges for introducing hemp are structural: “Bast fibers still suffer from supply chain transparency issues and complex logistics. Certified organic hemp might be shipped to China, where processing negates its organic status. Truly organic, local European production remains a niche market, often leading to high prices.”

Chris Roemen, co-owner of Ecological Textiles, which imports hemp for the Dutch market, adds that transitioning to hemp textiles demands infrastructure changes. “Problems arise in seed breeding, agriculture, spinning and weaving capacity, and textile finishing. It doesn’t help that hemp as a textile raw material was banned from the fields for half a century and European research was virtually halted.”

The DevoHome Advantage: Pure European Hemp

At DevoHome, we’ve been championing European hemp cultivation and processing for years. Our investments in hemp textile innovation align perfectly with the positive developments mentioned in Oostijen’s article. While many companies are still exploring hemp’s potential, we’ve already developed a complete production chain that maintains strict quality and sustainability standards from field to finished product.

The breathable, durable, and hypoallergenic properties of our hemp textiles showcase exactly what Oostijen describes as hemp’s promising attributes. Through our growing collection of clothing, bedding, and children’s products, we’re demonstrating that hemp can indeed deliver on its sustainability promises without compromising on comfort or style.

Dutch Companies Leading the Way

The article highlights three Dutch companies already using hemp textiles, including European-sourced materials:

1. 1. 1. New Optimist: An Amsterdam atelier building a “quiet revolution, stitch by stitch” using hemp alongside organic cotton and lyocell. Their products are 100% circular with a deposit system.
      2. Ecotex: A GOTS-certified webshop offering textiles made from natural materials including hemp, organic cotton, wool, and linen.
      3. DevoHome: We’re proud to be featured as an Amsterdam-based family business fully focused on the ethical production of premium hemp textiles
      4. Oostijen specifically highlights our commitment to sustainability and quality in our comprehensive product line.

Our DevoHome Perspective

At DevoHome, we’re proud to be recognized among the pioneers working with hemp textiles in Europe. While we acknowledge the challenges outlined in Oostijen’s article, we’re committed to overcoming them through innovation and education. Our comprehensive range of hemp products demonstrates the versatility and practicality of this sustainable fiber:

Clothing Collection:

• Comfortable everyday pants and shirts crafted from breathable hemp
• Essential underwear and briefs that are gentle on sensitive skin
• Versatile garments designed for durability and style

Bedroom Essentials:

• Luxurious bed linens that become softer with each wash
• Hypoallergenic duvets and blankets for all-season comfort
• Innovative mattress covers and toppers that promote healthier sleep

Children’s Products:

• Gentle blankets perfectly suited for delicate young skin
• Supportive pillows designed specifically for growing bodies
• Safe, non-toxic textiles for the most vulnerable family members

We believe that consumer demand for truly sustainable alternatives will continue to grow. And DevoHome is at the forefront of meeting this need. By providing high-quality, ethically produced hemp products across multiple categories, we’re demonstrating that the theoretical benefits of hemp can translate into practical, comfortable, and environmentally responsible textile choices.

We invite you to experience the difference of our DevoHome hemp products for yourself. Join us in supporting a more sustainable future for textiles.

This article was written in response to Vanessa Oostijen’s piece “Hennep heeft, als natuurlijke vezel voor textiel, alles in zich om de kledingindustrie flink op te frissen. Waarom gebeurt dat dan (nog) niet?” published in de Volkskrant Magazine on May 1, 2025.