ZERUM

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• Austria
• Hungary 
• Turkey 

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

The majority of ZERUM’s T‑shirts are woven and dyed in Austria. Their longstanding partnership with a family-run tailoring shop in Hungary has evolved into a dedicated facility producing exclusively for ZERUM. As an EU-based company, ZERUM adheres to stringent EU regulations compliance.

Their prints are designed by various artists and illustrators. ZERUM places particular emphasis on creative freedom and artistic expression. They want T‑shirts to not just look cool, but also be thought-provoking and original.

This close-knit production chain ensures quality and adherence to ethical standards.

MATERIALS

• Organic cotton 
• Organic linen 
• Tencel
• EcoVero viscose 
• Micro modal
• Wool 

By choosing to procure GOTS-certified organic cotton from Greece and Turkey, ZERUM ensures that their materials meet the highest standards of organic certification, which covers not only the environmental aspects of production but also the social conditions of the workers involved. This certification guarantees that the cotton is cultivated in a manner that is both environmentally friendly and beneficial to the local communities.

In contrast to conventional cotton, no pesticides or fertilizers are used in organic cultivation and the water consumption is also much lower. Through mandatory crop rotation, the soil remains healthy in organic farming and stores water better. If it is still too dry, most of the water is irrigated with rainwater. Read more about organic cotton here. 

Organic linen, also a natural fibre, which is obtained from flax, is particularly robust and hard-wearing. Linen clothing is very comfortable to wear. Blouses , shirts , skirts and trousers are particularly popular in the summer, but clothing made from linen also works well in winter. Linen has a cooling effect, is moisture-regulating and breathable. Similar to organic cotton, the organic cultivation of flax pays attention to soil health and avoids pesticides and pure monoculture.

Tencel is considered a more sustainable semisynthetic fibre. The basis of this material is cellulose, which is obtained from wood. How does Tencel feel on the skin? Wonderfully soft and pleasantly light. Tencel is not called vegan silk for nothing. The fibre is more breathable than cotton and absorbs more moisture. 

EcoVero is a more sustainable viscose fibre from the Austrian company Lenzing. Just like viscose, the fibre is made from wood and yet there is a big difference. The wood at EcoVero comes exclusively from sustainable and certified sources, and the chemical process during production is closed. In other words, no chemicals – which are highly toxic in the case of viscose – end up in the groundwater or anywhere else they shouldn’t go. Lenzing EcoVero has been awarded the EU Ecolabel.

Micro-Modal is, as the name suggests, an even finer and lighter cellulose fibre made from wood. It has the same positive properties as Tencel and EcoVero, but its lightness makes it particularly suitable for underwear.

Wool t‑shirts and sweaters are warm, breathable, and moisture-wicking. They offer natural odour resistance and durability, making them ideal for both comfort and long-lasting wear. Wool benefits the planet as it is both potentially biodegradable and renewable.

Many items and materials in the ZERUM collection carry the GOTS seal of quality, ensuring more sustainable production. From the raw fibres to manufacturing conditions and fair worker wages, every aspect is thoroughly inspected and verified by independent authorities to meet GOTS standards.

PACKAGING 

For the most part, ZERUM packages its goods in reused or recycled cardboard boxes. They state that they attach great importance to working as sustainably as possible, with minimal use of plastic. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

As a GOTS-certified company, Zerum works exclusively with water-based and skin-friendly dyes that are free from harmful chemicals.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

ZERUM emphasises circularity in its product design by using entirely natural and therefore potentially biodegradable materials, like organic cotton and wool, also all dyed with natural colours. This means that their products can re-enter the life-cycle, reducing waste. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

The brand does not yet offer any circular business models on their website, such as a repair service or resale platform. An initiative such as this would help to ensure that their products are kept away from landfills for longer. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations: 

• Austria 
• Hungary 
• Turkey 

ZERUM, headquartered in Graz, Austria, maintains a relatively short supply chain by focusing production within Europe and Turkey. This strategy not only minimizes long-distance transport, thereby reducing their carbon footprint, but also supports local family businesses. 

Their organic cotton fabrics are primarily woven, dyed, and sewn in Austria, while other collections like EcoVero and Tencel are produced and assembled in Turkey. Additionally, they have a tailoring shop in Hungary.

TRANSPORTATION 

ZERUM states that as their clothing is produced in Europe and Turkey they are able to avoid long air transport. They do not disclose any further details on exactly what transportation methods are used. The brand also claims to ship carbon neutrally to consumers, although it’s not clear what this means in practice. It’s important to note that offsetting practices do not equate to carbon neutrality under the EU Green Claims law. 

• Wool 

ZERUM sources its wool exclusively from controlled organic animal husbandry (kbT) that is both mulesing- and chlorine-free, ensuring the wool comes from slaughter-free farms. This commitment to ethical sourcing extends to every step of their production chain.

In 2019, the brand was named ​“Golden Champion” in Austria by the animal protection organization ​“Vier Pfoten”, together with AK OÖ, for the complete transparency in their wool production.

PRODUCT DESIGN 

At ZERUM you will find more sustainable clothing and accessories that are durable and timeless.

By focusing on high-quality basics that are designed to last, ZERUM encourages consumers to invest in pieces that transcend seasonal trends, promoting a more sustainable approach to fashion. This commitment to longevity helps reduce the environmental impact associated with frequent clothing purchases and disposal.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

As ZERUM does not produce made-to-order garments, there is a sales section on their website. This suggests that their business model does not necessarily align with slow-fashion principles. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

The brand aims for high levels of transparency with their consumers through their product pages. They always state what materials have been used, and guide consumers to learn more about these elsewhere on their website. They also state the production country, so you’ll be in no doubt about where your purchase was made. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

ZERUM is transparent about their business practices by openly sharing their manufacturing locations and fostering long-standing relationships with their suppliers. They are also clear about the sourcing of their high-quality, ethically sourced, materials.