PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Spain
- Italy
WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES
Velor’s website states that their clothing is made in Europe, in facilities that meet international standards for social and environmental responsibility. Their website does not provide information on applicable certifications or in-house facility checks.
MATERIALS
- Recycled polyester
- Recycled polyamide
- Elastane
Velor’s fabrics have been certified according to GRS (Global Recycled Standard), which ensures that each product has the recycled content that it claims to have. They are also certified by BLUESIGN, OEKO-TEX, and ISO 14001 standards. These certifications aim to enforce strict safety and environmental standards in production, and overall product safety.
PACKAGING
Velor does not disclose what packaging materials are used in their supply chain.
WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS
Velor’s website states that they use sublimation printing and efficient wet processing steps to reduce water usage during production. The brand also explains that sublimation printing prevents the release of harmful chemicals into wastewater, as it transfers ink directly onto the garment using specialised paper.
Velor’s website provides detailed care instructions for their products and suggests using a GUPPYFRIEND washing bag, which prevents the release of microplastics. They offer the GUPPYFRIEND for free on any order over €200.
CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN
Velor’s website states that their cycle wear is designed to be recyclable, and they have been able to recycle their jerseys into polyester pellets to create new garments.
Their vision is to create jerseys which are entirely recyclable, including more complicated components like zippers.
The garments are also made using recycled yarn from ocean waste and industrial plastic waste materials. The cycling brand works together with the recycled nylon producer Aquafil and Seaqual Initiative to produce these materials.
CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS
Velor offers a repair service to encourage consumers to keep their garments in use for as long as possible.
When no longer needed, consumers can return their items to Velor, in exchange for 15% off their next order. Velor collects, cleans, and processes old garments into polyester pellets. From these pellets, new yarn is spun, and this yarn is woven into new fabrics. On their website, Velor has provided a video to help explain this process.
DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN
Production locations:
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Spain
- Italy
Velor sources its recycled yarn in collaboration with Aquafil in Italy and Seaqual Initiative in Spain. Aquafil recycles discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial plastic waste into regenerated nylon. Seaqual Initiative transforms marine litter into yarn.
Their fabrics are crafted in collaboration with textile innovators in Spain and Italy, and final products are manufactured in Portugal and the Czech Republic.
Velor offers European shipping. Their headquarters are located in the Netherlands.
TRANSPORTATION
Velor does not disclose what transportation methods are used in their supply chain. However, as all their manufacturing is based in Europe, Velor’s website states that they minimise shipping distances to reduce their carbon footprint.
Velor does not use any animal materials in their products.
PRODUCT DESIGN
Velor offers men’s and women’s cycle wear, with sizes ranging from XS to XXL on the majority of products. Their products include jerseys, jackets, bibs, and accessories.
Velor’s website states that they design their garments to last; by carefully selecting their materials, and testing them both on the road and in the lab, they aim for improved durability.
SLOW FASHION PROCESSES
Velor has a small selection of products currently available on their website. They also offer a pre-order system which aims to reduce overproduction.
Velor also has a team-wear service, which allows customers to design their clothing, and have it made to measure. By guaranteeing the fit of their products, Velor aims to reduce the likelihood of them being forgotten in a dusty corner or thrown away.
TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT
On each product page, Velor details what materials the garment is made from, what certifications apply, and the production countries.
TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES
Although Velor does not publish an annual report on the social or environmental aspects of their brand, their website states that they aim to provide transparency on their production processes.
Velor’s website has a page dedicated to their value chain, allowing consumers to understand the production process; from waste collection and yarn production, to the final garment construction. They also offer consumers an insight into their efforts to recycle used products.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for comfortable cycle wear that is more sustainably produced, try Velor! By considering the entire life cycle of their products, from production to end-of-life, Velor aims to reduce their environmental impact. They therefore use primarily recycled materials, and are actively working to produce entirely recyclable garments.
Discover where to shop Velor on the map below–