ANDY WOLF

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Austria: production of all acetate frames
• France: production of all metal frames
• All materials and components, including screws and hinges, are sourced exclusively from Europe.

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

The metal frame production in France is certified with Origine France Garantie.

The brand owns its production facilities. The Jura workshop was fully integrated into the ANDY WOLF family in 2016, including all long-term staff, and production there is entirely under the brand’s responsibility. The acetate workshop in Hartberg has been the heart of the brand since its founding.

Many eyewear components are produced in-house whenever possible, and any outsourced components are sourced exclusively within Europe.

Production is clearly craftsmanship oriented. In both Hartberg and Jura, it is emphasized that human skill and precision cannot be replaced by machines. Every pair of glasses is handcrafted individually. Some employees have been with the company for over 30 years.

ANDY WOLF regularly visits the French Jura workshop, maintaining active exchange with the staff there. The acetate workshop in Hartberg is only 1 km from headquarters, allowing daily direct contact.

The workforce is 60 percent female.

Since 2021, ANDY WOLF is an official training company. The brand collaborates with charitable organizations such as pro mente, Lebenshilfe, SöDiB, and the Kinderhospiz Sterntalerhof. In 2022, many parents of children at Sterntalerhof received free glasses. ANDY WOLF also supported the Caritas Gragustl holiday program for Ukrainian children. There is a cooperation with FH Joanneum Graz in industrial design.

MATERIALS

• Acetate
• Acetate Renew
• Metal
• Recyclable MEM material
• Recycled leather

ANDY WOLF is the first independent eyewear brand in the German-speaking region to switch to Acetate Renew. This material consists of 60 percent bio-based and 40 percent certified recycled raw material, produced through molecular recycling of plastic waste such as cosmetic packaging, carpets, and sportswear.

The nose pads are made from recyclable MEM material. All materials and components, including screws and hinges, are sourced exclusively within Europe. The metals used include Monel, nickel silver, and bronze, all with variable recycled content.

PACKAGING

• Most packaging is made from FSC certified cardboard.
• Shipping boxes have been optimized in size to minimize filler material. Recycled paper is used as filler. Many items are designed without adhesive tape. Printing inks on shipping cartons are 100 percent water-based.
• The case for the AWearness collection is made from recycled leather. The company is currently developing a hard shell case with a paper inlay.

WATER CONSUMPTION & CHEMICALS

ANDY WOLF has calculated a Product Carbon Footprint and a Corporate Carbon Footprint in cooperation with Climate Partner. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 25 percent by 2025.

63.5 percent of CO2 emissions come from business travel, especially flights. 12.5 percent come from the company’s own vehicle fleet. Scope 2 emissions are zero, as only green electricity is used. The Hartberg factory is equipped with photovoltaic systems. In France, solar panels, facade insulation, and a heat recovery system were planned for 2024/25. Rainwater is collected and used for toilet flushing and machine cooling.

The acetate used carries ISCC Plus certification, which guarantees transparency and full traceability throughout the supply chain. The ISCC Plus certification also covers safe working conditions, protective clothing, compliance with human and labor rights, and fair wages.

The French workshop is certified with Origine France Garantie.

Colors on two-tone models are applied by hand, and logos are printed on the temples using pad printing. 

The galvanic coating is nickel-free on all metal frames. 

Printing inks on the shipping cartons are 100 percent water-based.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Material combinations are common in eyewear and generally make recycling more difficult.

In the AWearness collection, acetate temple sleeves are only clipped on and not permanently attached to the glasses. This allows them to be recycled separately at the end of their life, representing a deliberate step toward circular design.

ANDY WOLF uses Acetate Renew, consisting of 60 percent bio-based and 40 percent certified recycled raw material, produced through molecular recycling of plastic waste. The metals used also contain recycled content.

ANDY WOLF produces durable, high-quality glasses and encourages them to be passed down so they remain in circulation as long as possible. The brand also offers a personalization service, such as a matte finish, extended temples, or a sun clip that can replace a second pair of glasses.

Repairs are handled through the optician where the glasses were purchased.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

ANDY WOLF does not take back broken glasses but encourages customers to pass their glasses on.

If needed, the brand offers a refurbishment service where glasses can be repaired, restored, or personalized.

DISTANCE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Hartberg, Austria
• Jura, France
• Italy (origin of acetate)
• ANDY WOLF is headquartered in Hartberg, Austria.

The supply chain is relatively simple and transparent. The brand sources all materials exclusively from Europe and keeps the number of suppliers intentionally low. Suppliers are located as close as possible to the headquarters.

TRANSPORT 

• Transport from the French workshop is done by truck or car. Air transport is largely avoided.
• Since all suppliers are based in Europe and the first-tier suppliers are located as close as possible to headquarters, transport distances are kept intentionally short.
   The acetate workshop is only 1 km from headquarters.
• The vehicle fleet mainly consists of electric cars, and carpooling is actively promoted.
   80 percent of inbound and outbound logistics is planned to be shifted to climate neutral transport.

The case for the AWearness collection is made from recycled leather with water-based adhesive and is produced in Italy. No further information on the origin of the leather is provided.

PRODUCT DESIGN

ANDY WOLF produces sunglasses and optical frames.

The brand’s style combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary, innovative design. The range includes classic basics as well as modern, bold, and striking frames. Expressive design and individuality are central brand values.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

ANDY WOLF releases three new collections per year.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

On ANDY WOLF product pages, there is a brief stylistic description of each model and guidance on suitability for certain face shapes. Specific product information includes color, material, craftsmanship, and shape, along with measurements. All available color variations are displayed, and a Virtual Try-On tool is offered.

Although individual product pages do not specify exact production locations, the clear and accessible information on the general website allows customers to generally assign products to a production site.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

The brand provides detailed descriptions of the manufacturing steps for both acetate and metal frames and openly communicates about its two own production sites in Hartberg and Jura.

ANDY WOLF publishes a Responsibility Report.
 The company is transparent that Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers are not yet fully traceable.