ENGEL

Production locations

• Germany
• France
• China
• Patagonia

Working Conditions & Living Wages

The Merino wool used by ENGEL comes from Patagonia, directly from the region where the sheep are raised. The German company ENGEL visits the certified sheep farms and ensures that the sheep are kept under controlled organic animal husbandry. The silk originates from China. The treatment and processing of the fibres into yarn take place in France and Germany. Production is either handled directly by ENGEL in-house or within a 50 km radius.
Every step of the supply chain is certified, ensuring that it is socially and environmentally responsible.

Materials

• Wool-Silk
• Merino wool
• Organic cotton

ENGEL offers Merino wool from controlled organic animal husbandry and a natural wool-silk fibre, both of which feel wonderfully soft on the skin. 
Only the popular nursing bra is made from organic cotton.

Packaging

The clothing is packaged in recycled polyethylene bags to protect the garments from dirt, moisture, and moths during transport. These are biodegradable and reusable.

Water Usage & Chemicals

ENGEL’s wool products bear the NATURTEXTIL-IVN CERTIFIED BEST quality label and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) logo, which guarantee that every step of the production chain is rigorously checked. This means, for example, that the textiles consist of 100% organic natural fibres, the use of harmful chemicals is strictly prohibited, and all production facilities are committed to maintaining high social and environmental standards. Wool is temperature-regulating and odour-neutral. Thanks to a treatment method that avoids any chemical finishing, ENGEL’s wool products can even be machine washed.

Circular Product Design

All materials at ENGEL are natural and biodegradable. By avoiding synthetic fibres, ENGEL’s textiles do not release microplastics. Nearly half of the garments at ENGEL are made from mono-fibres (100% wool), which facilitates recycling. 
Trimmings, such as buttons, are crafted from natural materials like olive wood or mother of pearl.

Circular Business Models

In ENGEL’s Reborn Collection, fabric scraps are transformed into new textiles, resulting in unique Troyers. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and tells its own story – more sustainable and individual at the same time. In the factory outlet, products with minor defects are offered, while the ​“specials” line features items crafted from fabric remnants, giving samples and other materials a second life. 
The company also makes every effort to repair any damaged product to keep it in the textile cycle.

Distance & Complexity of the Supply Chain

• Germany
• France
• Patagonia
• China
• The headquarter is located in Pfullingen, Germany.

Transportation

Local production enables transportation via road routes. For production sites outside Germany, no further information is currently available, but COSH! is working on gathering additional details.

ENGEL uniquely combines local and international partnerships. The close collaboration with companies in southern Germany, located about 50 kilometres from the Pfullingen headquarters, supports the regional economy and reduces emissions. Additionally, some of the production is carried out directly in-house. Fibre processing into yarn takes place in France or Germany, ensuring high quality standards. Meanwhile, sourcing wool from Patagonia and silk from China extends the supply chain, leading to higher transport requirements – however, this global approach allows access to top-quality natural materials that meet ENGEL’s sustainability standards.

• Silk
• Wool
• China, Patagonia

ENGEL places great importance on animal welfare. The sheep whose wool is used for their products are kept under controlled organic conditions and in an appropriate environment. Care is taken during shearing to ensure the well-being of the animals, and the wool is mulesing-free. This means that the painful removal of skin at the sheep’s hindquarters, often practised in conventional wool production to prevent parasite infestation, is avoided. ENGEL works with certified sheep farms and adopts an ethically responsible approach to animal handling.

Product Design

ENGEL offers high-quality basics, underwear, shirts, trousers, hats, scarves, and much more for babies, children, and adults.

Slow Fashion Processes

ENGEL places great emphasis on fabric quality, enabling the garments to have a long lifespan and to be passed down from generation to generation. The neutral colours make the clothing timeless.
The company consciously follows the principles of slow fashion. The main collection is occasionally supplemented with new products or colours, but without the pressure of seasonal collections. Rather than following short-lived trends, ENGEL focuses on timeless designs, longevity, and responsible production.

Transparency on Product

ENGEL’s openness allows customers to trace every aspect of the production process and to rely on the quality and responsible manufacturing of the products.

Transparency on Processes

In discussions with ENGEL, it became clear that transparency is central to their entire production process. Every step in the supply chain, from sheep farming to the finished textile, is carefully certified to ensure that the highest standards of environmental and animal welfare are met.