Orangenkinder

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Germany

WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES

Orangenkinder produces exclusively in Germany, in its own workshop in Wilhelmsdorf, Bavaria. Strict environmental and social regulations apply here, enabling high transparency, short transport routes, and fairer working conditions. In-house production allows for direct control over working conditions.

The relationships with suppliers are long-standing and built on trust.

The leather used for the children’s indoor, crawling, and barefoot shoes comes exclusively from IVN-certified tanneries in Germany and is regularly tested for harmful substances.

All shoes are handmade.

MATERIALS

• Vegetable-tanned, chrome-free organic nappa leather (from IVN-certified tanneries in Germany)
• Boiled wool from Austria
• Rubber soles with recycled cork content
• Felt and wool fleece insoles
• Synthetic dyes considered harmless according to the company

Orangenkinder uses vegetable-tanned, chrome-free organic leather sourced from IVN-certified tanneries in Germany and regularly tested for harmful substances. This type of leather is considered more environmentally friendly, as it avoids chrome salts, which can often cause allergies and environmental pollution. The raw hides mainly come from southern Germany, helping to reduce transport distances.

Boiled wool and wool fleece insoles are used as natural materials; they are breathable and potentially long-lasting.

The rubber soles, which include recycled cork content, are stitched rather than glued, supporting durability and repairability.

The leather is dyed using synthetic dyes that, according to the brand, are harmless, as plant-based dyes are not lightfast and would fade quickly.

Elastic bands on the sandals are sewn in by hand to ensure flexibility and durability.

PACKAGING

• In its e‑commerce operations, Orangenkinder places strong emphasis on resource-efficient packaging. Plastic packaging is avoided; instead, reused cardboard boxes or leftover cardboard repurposed into hangers are used. This reduces waste and optimizes material use.
• Within the supply chain, the brand aims to minimize packaging as much as possible. Products are generally delivered without individual packaging, with exceptions made only for certain large clients.

WATER CONSUMPTION & CHEMICALS

The leather comes from IVN-certified tanneries in Germany that operate under strict ecological standards. Vegetable tanning agents such as tara pods and valonea oak are used instead of chrome salts, which are commonly associated with allergies and environmental harm. According to the brand, wastewater is disposed of responsibly.

For coloring, Orangenkinder uses synthetic dyes that are considered harmless by the company, as plant-based alternatives are not sufficiently lightfast and would fade quickly.

The leather is intentionally left uncoated, meaning no plastic layer is applied and no microplastics are released.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Orangenkinder primarily produces using monomaterials, especially vegetable-tanned natural leather that is processed without plastic coatings and is therefore potentially compostable. Boiled wool shoes are also largely made from a single natural material, although leather soles are added — resulting in a material mix that limits full circularity. However, the stitched soles can be easily separated.

A take-back service for worn-out products is currently not offered. Instead, the brand follows an internal waste-reduction approach: leather offcuts that cannot be used for shoes are repurposed into doll shoes, keychains, or other small items. While this reduces waste, it does not replace a consumer-facing take-back or recycling system.

In addition to shoes, Orangenkinder offers care products and accessories that support durability and repairability. Soles can be replaced, leather can be maintained, and stains can be removed — helping to extend product life instead of replacing shoes prematurely.

Recycled or upcycled materials are not used for main products, apart from the reuse of leather scraps in production and recycled cork content in the rubber soles.

The products are considered highly repairable due to their hand-stitched construction and minimal use of adhesives. This makes repairs easier and extends their lifespan.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL

Orangenkinder does not offer a repair service or a take-back system. Other circular business models — such as rental, second-hand programs, or resale platforms, are also not in place.

So far, the brand’s circular approach mainly focuses on durable, repair-friendly products made largely from monomaterials, combined with consistent in-house reuse of production leftovers. This is complemented by a range of care products and accessories designed to keep shoes in use longer and encourage repair over early replacement.

DISTANCE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

• Germany: own workshop in Wilhelmsdorf in Franconia Bavaria for indoor, crawling, and barefoot shoes. Leather tanning takes place in IVN certified tanneries in Germany.
• Boiled wool comes from Austria
• Orangenkinder’s headquarters is located in Wilhelmsdorf, Bavaria, Germany.

TRANSPORT 

• Orangenkinder sources its leather from Germany, which keeps transport distances short.
• Orders are shipped directly from the workshop in Bavaria. The company mainly works with DHL.

• Cowhide from slaughterhouses in southern Germany, with raw hides as a byproduct of the meat industry
• Tanning is exclusively vegetable based, using chrome free organic leather from IVN certified tanneries in Germany
• Wool comes from Austria

The leather is certified according to IVN standards and is regularly tested for harmful substances. Orangenkinder excludes chrome tanned leather and emphasizes the use of natural leather without plastic coating.

The wool is sourced from an Austrian company and, according to the brand, is mulesing free.

PRODUCT DESIGN

Orangenkinder focuses on children’s shoes, including indoor, crawling, and barefoot shoes, as well as seasonal models such as sandals or outdoor shoes. In addition, the brand offers clothing, accessories, and care products. The styles are child friendly and range from classic solid colors to colorful, playful designs.

The assortment is aimed at babies, toddlers, and children.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

Orangenkinder works with a continuous collection that is gradually expanded with new motifs or color variations.

Production takes place in series in the brand’s own workshop, with a strong focus on handcraft.

PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY

Orangenkinder provides comprehensive information on its product pages. This includes details on materials, care instructions, durability, product features, as well as practical information such as price, delivery time, available colors, and sizes.

In terms of traceability, it is clearly stated where the shoes are manufactured. However, it is not possible to trace which specific tannery or batch the raw hides come from. Customers therefore receive transparency about the country of production and the manufacturing site, but not full traceability down to each individual pair of shoes.

PROCESS TRANSPARENCY

Orangenkinder explains in detail where the shoes are produced and states that the leather comes exclusively from IVN certified tanneries in Germany.

Most of this information is available on general information pages. While product pages clearly state materials and country of production, they do not provide further product specific traceability down to individual suppliers or batches.

Orangenkinder communicates its ecological and social principles directly on its website, without formal reporting.

The brand has answered all questions from COSH! in a very transparent manner.