Hemp and Linen

Nature’s Power Duo for Sustainable Textiles



Hemp and linen are two of the most versatile plant-based fibers in the textile world. Both naturally wick moisture, resist bacteria, and offer excellent thermal regulation thanks to their hollow fiber structure – making them ideal for summer garments and blends with cotton, lyocell, or recycled synthetics.

While linen is celebrated for its light, airy feel and classic summer wear applications, hemp stands out for its strength and durability, making it perfect for bags, shoes, upholstery, and even apparel. Nearly every part of the linen plant is used for fibers, whereas hemp generates more residual biomass – which can be further processed into hemp lyocell, as done by Hempfortex.

Both crops are highly sustainable: they require up to 80–90% less water than cotton and thrive without pesticides or fertilizers. Remarkably, hemp can even be carbon-positive, absorbing significant amounts of CO₂ during growth – far more than linen or cotton. With such properties, hemp and linen are not only natural performance fibers but also essential allies on the journey toward a more sustainable, climate-conscious textile industry.

So have a look at our hemp- and linen fabric highlights from The Loop, chosen from our material-experts at PERFORMANCE DAYS.

"H is for HEMP"
Hemp has already played a starring role at PERFORMANCE DAYS – most notably during the Spring 2022 edition, where the versatile fiber took center stage. Back then, German photographer and climate impact storyteller Maren Krings captivated audiences with insights from her global journey documenting the rediscovery of industrial hemp across four continents. Her book “H is for HEMP” compellingly showcases the fiber’s vast potential – a story she also shares in an interview with PERFORMANCE DAYS here.

Today, hemp has firmly established itself as a go-to fiber in the performance sector – a fact confirmed by top brands and suppliers, like Maloja, Salewa, Hanfliebe, Felde Fibres and Natuvalis.


Chia Her Industrial Co., Ltd. RZ0471-311

Wool Hemp

Shirts

18% HA, 41% WO M, 41% org. CO

This eco-friendly fabric blends RWS wool, OCS organic cotton, and hemp, making it an excellent choice for a shirt. The natural fibers work harmoniously to provide breathability and moisture-wicking properties. RWS wool contributes anti-odor features and effective moisture management, ensuring comfort in various climates. Hemp is renowned for its strength and resilience, offering durability while remaining naturally anti-static. Additionally, the cultivation process of hemp is sustainable, generating only one-third of the carbon emissions associated with conventional cotton.

drirelease / OPTIMER / Dricomfort 7509

dr ECO HEMP

Baselayer

4% EA, 12% HA, 84% PES

THE PERFORMANCE SIDE OF HEMP. drirelease® HEMP is our natural engineered blend of fibers through a non-chemical wicking and fast drying technology which effectively facilitate the passage of moisture from the skin to the atmosphere. For millennia, HEMP has been explored for textiles due to its extraordinarily tensile and durable textiles fibers. Feels natural as cotton, easy to dye, very soft and has high resistance to shrinkage, pilling, mold and mildew. With all these qualities, we decided to develop drirelease HEMP, and give to the cannabis sativa a little bit of technology.

Hemp Fortex Industries Ltd

NH6075

Pants & Tights

3% EA, 18% HA, 64% rec. PA, 15% TENCEL™ Ly

Experience our sustainable fabric fusion, meticulously crafted with hemp, Tencel, recycled nylon, and spandex. This blend harmoniously combines hemp's natural strength and eco-friendliness with Tencel's softness and moisture-wicking properties. Infused with recycled nylon, our fabric reduces waste and offers durability, while spandex adds a stretch for comfort and flexibility. This innovative textile is a statement of style and sustainability, designed for those who demand both performance and responsibility in their fashion choices.

Hemp Fortex Industries Ltd

KJ8187

Exhibitor Innovation

8% EA, 92% Ly

This innovative fabric is composed of Hemp lyoccell and Spandex, presenting a unique combination of properties. Hemp lyoccell, derived from the hemp plant, offers excellent breathability and a natural, textured appearance. It is renowned for its strength and durability, making it suitable for long-lasting products. The fibers have good moisture absorption capabilities, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable. With the addition of Spandex, the fabric gains remarkable elasticity. This allows for greater freedom of movement and a snug fit, without sacrificing the integrity of the overall material.

Yaw Liamy Enterprise Co., Ltd N.360d*N.360d/R/L 7'S Twill w/TPA

YL-X062

Packs & Bags

5.7% LI, 81% PA, 13.3% CV, 7% Aramid

Nylon undye yarn with nature fiber to save water and energy, TPA(Recycled PVB-Polyvinyl Butyral-industrial waste of explosion-proof glass film) film lamination.

Hans Global RCO-CW0141

SEAWOOL LEISURE

Shirts

61% LI, 23% rec. CO, 16% rec. PES

Seawool as a feature recycled yarn made from recycle PET bottle and discard oyster shell was released into market for more than ten years. We did many collection on different fields of textile. This fabric was combined with nature fibers to achieve "greener" for our environment. Aside from development on fabric, we also require several recycle certification such as the existed GRS, Bluesign and Oeko-Tex 100. This year we also brought in HIGG into our recycle evaluation system. In this way, we can examine our production stage in detail to decrease the damage of environment.


“Hemp is a material with great potential”

In a conversation with Sabine Wolf, Head of Production at Maloja, it becomes clear how versatile hemp is as a material – especially for outdoor collections such as biking, hiking, climbing, and other mountain sports.

Find out more here.


“Hemp represents a bridge between performance & sustainability”

Matteo Rolando, Junior Product Manager at Salewa, has long relied on hemp. The material is used not only in apparel but especially in equipment, with a particular focus on backpacks. In this conversation, he explains what makes hemp so special for Salewa and why it is worth cultivating it in-house.

Find out more here.


“Hemp is the most productive fibre plant”

Hanfliebe is more than just fashion – it’s an invitation to a more conscious lifestyle. With a focus on fair fashion, health, wellness, and personal development, Hanfliebe combines high-quality textiles with mindfulness and awareness. The brand’s vision is to inspire change through new consumption patterns and ways of thinking – creating more quality of life, vitality, and wellbeing. Welcome to the Hanfliebe natural oasis!

This October, Hanfliebe will be presenting for the first time in the Sustainability Lounge at PERFORMANCE DAYS. For us, this is the perfect opportunity to ask founder Ursula Mock a few questions.

Find out more here.


“Sustainability is the foundation of everything we do…”

Felde Fibres is redefining the potential of Europe’s traditional bast fibers – hemp, linen, and European nettle. Using their proprietary technology, the company produces high-quality elemental fibers that allow for consistent yarns, a soft hand feel, and versatile applications in both spun and non-spun textiles. This approach combines sustainability, regional sourcing, and premium quality in every fiber.

We had the opportunity to speak with Martina Finken, Head of Sales at Felde Fibres, to learn more about their innovative approach and what they will bring to PERFORMANCE DAYS in the Sustainability Lounge.

Find out more here.


“Hemp can reduce the ecological footprint”

With a strong focus on responsible materials and innovative solutions, Natuvalis is showcasing its expertise in the Sustainability Lounge at PERFORMANCE DAYS. In this interview, Katrin Reinl, Corporate Communications & Business Development, at Natuvalis share insights on their approach to sustainability, current projects, and their vision for the future.

Find out more here.


Portrait of Astrid Schlüchter

About the Author

Astrid Schlüchter

PERFORMANCE DAYS

Starting February 2024, Astrid Schlüchter is taking on the role of Senior Communication Manager at PERFORMANCE DAYS. To drive further growth with innovative communication strategies, PERFORMANCE DAYS is bringing Astrid Schlüchter on board not only as a seasoned industry expert but also as a renowned specialist journalist. Before joining PERFORMANCE DAYS, the trained fashion designer led the editorial team of the print and online medium SAZsport as Editor-in-Chief and was instrumental in the development of the Sports Retail Congress. Prior to that, Schlüchter worked for a long time as a freelance writer for various media in the sports, fashion, and lifestyle segments.

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Exhibitor List October 2025