As the fashion industry has become more sustainable, one part of it has remained a problem with hosiery still very much a ‘wear it a few times and throw it away’ segment and one that’s very dependent on synthetic fibres.
But now Swedish Stockings’ parent company SWE-S has launched a new operation, Treadfine Productions, saying it’s using “the expertise and knowledge of SWE-S group in sustainable hosiery production to replace wear-and-tear nylon productions with more durable and responsibly produced legwear”.
It added that this gives “consumers, businesses, and the planet a better alternative to traditional hosiery products”.
Treadfine will provide “more sustainable production for businesses at scale”, a much-needed mission, especially given that each year, the company said 8 billion pairs of tights are sold, worn once and then discarded.
The company has also announced its first label partnership with Swedish retail chain MQ.
SWE-S CEO Linn Frisinger said that in many ways, “hosiery is the plastic straw of the fashion industry”.
So Treadfine is inviting other brands to use the SWE-S production facilities, which are located in Italy and powered by solar and renewable energy sources.
The water used in the dying process is purified or reused on site, and we’re told that “all the facilities hold the highest standards of responsible production both in terms of workplace rights and environmental impact”.
And all new partners of Treadfine will also be able to take part in Swedish Stockings’ Recycling Club, which aims to close the loop on nylon waste by collecting old, used hosiery from any brand, and recycling the fibres into new, long-life products like furniture. This year, SwedishStockings aims to take in more hosiery than it produces – powered by opening up the programme to more brands who want to join the effort.
