BY BROWN

Production locations

• Portugal 
• Poland 
• The Netherlands

Working conditions & living wages

BYBROWN’s rainwear is designed and sampled in the Amsterdam atelier. 

The coats and skirts are produced in certified partner facilities across Europe, primarily in Portugal, ensuring compliance with EU labour standards. 

Their main manufacturing partner is a Portuguese family-run company with whom BYBROWN has collaborated for over a decade. That partner operates with ISO 9001 and OEKO-TEX STeP certifications and conducts regular internal and external audits. The company runs on 100% green energy, combining solar panels with certified renewable energy sources, and has implemented LED lighting, water monitoring systems, and optimised production layouts to minimise resource use. They also recycle 100% of textile waste, along with 35% of paper and 7% of plastic waste, while introducing new circular projects and using fully recycled and recyclable packaging.

BYBROWN values transparency and has built close relationships with its production partners. 

Materials

• Recycled polyester
• Acetate
• Linen
• Polyamide

BYBROWN’s coats and skirts are made entirely from 100% recycled polyester, with the recycled fibres sourced and produced in Germany. The material is a bluesign®-approved technical fabric, PFAS-free, and meets the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. It is breathable (13+ [m²Pa/​W] ISO 11092) and fully waterproof (20,000 mm water column, ISO 811).

The fabric combines an air jet woven face fabric with a circular knitted (interlock) backing, joined by a solvent-free film extrusion membrane layer from Sympatex. The face fabric is piece dyed, while the backing is dope dyed, and the Ruco Dry Eco Plus / Bionic Finish Eco water-repellent finish is PFAS-free and removable over time.

Read here about how sustainable recycled Polyester is. 

Packaging

• In Portugal, coats are packed in recycled plastic bags. In Poland, all items are delivered in cardboard boxes or on hangers.
• For e‑commerce, BYBROWN uses cardboard boxes produced in the Netherlands, which are made from 80% recycled cardboard. The hangtags are made from recycled paper and the textile labels are made from 100% recycled polyester.

Water usage & chemicals

According to Higg MSI, the material production uses 6,000 litres of water per kg or 3,824 litres per 100 running metres. The DWR finish (Ruco Dry Eco Plus / Bionic Finish Eco) is PFAS-free and potentially chemically recyclable. No solvents are used in the membrane production.

A technical membrane ensures a breathable, waterproof, and comfortable experience, with a water column of 20,000 mm. Some coats also feature a detachable lining made from 100% certified, recycled PET from Germany (Freudenberg), offering insulation down to ‑15ºC.

BYBROWN transparently states that older coats may still use a DWR coating containing PFC/C6 (no PFOA or PFOs), which can have environmental impacts. However, they are actively researching more environmentally conscious alternatives.

Synthetic fibres can release microplastics during washing.

Circular product design

Their garments are made entirely from recycled polyester sourced and processed within Europe, making future chemical recycling possible. The durable water repellent finish is compatible with recycling systems.

Circular business models

BYBROWN encourages product longevity with in-house repairs. If a button breaks or a seam tears, they’ll do their best to fix it for costumers. They are also developing a take-back scheme for end-of-life recycling, closing the loop on their mono-material coats.

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

• Portugal
• Poland
• Netherlands
• Germany
• The headquarters is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Transportation

• For e‑commerce shipments, BYBROWN works with Greenways, transporting over land whenever possible.
• Within the supply chain the deliveries are made by truck.

The company does not use animal-based fibres today.

In the past, BYBROWN once included 10 jackets made from deadstock wool. However, this material is not part of the current production and does not reflect the brand’s philosophy anymore.

Product design

BYBROWN offers women’s and unisex technical outerwear in streamlined designs. Some coats are shaped like ponchos for bike riders and are packable.

Technical details like heat-fused protected pockets, thermal sealing, laser-cut finishing, streamlined hoods, tailored capes, mobility gussets and 2‑way bonded waterproof zips elevate both function and style.

Slow fashion processes

The brand doesn’t follow seasonal drops but releases new designs and colours gradually in small batches. They design democratically, listening to customer feedback. BYBROWN doesn’t participate in traditional sales cycles and focuses instead on timeless, functional design that you can wear for years.

Transparency on product

The product pages provide information about materials, technical specifications, care instructions, and some production details. They include the composition of each item, data on performance properties such as waterproofing and breathability, and descriptions of functional features like detachable hoods, reflective zips, or adjustable fits. A size chart with EU measurements is also available.

However, the level of traceability varies between products. Some descriptions specify where the materials are sourced or produced and where the final garment is made, while others only mention that production takes place in Europe without further detail. As a result, it is not always possible to identify the exact production locations or facilities for a specific purchase.

Transparency on processes

While the level of traceability differs between products, the brand generally provides a solid degree of transparency. 
In addition, BYBROWN has been very transparent with COSH!, sharing further insights into its production processes and material sourcing beyond what is publicly available online.