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 (hall A2).

Felde Fibres is still a young company – what was your intention in focusing on hemp, linen, and nettle?

Martina Finken: What many people may not know is that hemp, nettle, and linen all belong to the same family of fiber plants: bast fiber plants. In these plants, the fibers are located in the stems, which means they can essentially be processed using the same technology. Our intention was therefore to use our proprietary process to produce fine textile fibers from the most important native fiber plants – fibers that can be applied across all common spun and non-spun applications.
The potential of our native fiber plants is enormous. The centuries-old European tradition of these fibers is not only ecologically valuable but also of very high quality. They grow regionally, are highly productive, require little water, and need no pesticides. In addition, they are long-lasting and, with our manufacturing process, offer a particularly soft feel.

You are exhibiting for the first time in the Sustainability Lounge – what does sustainable action mean to you as a company?

Martina Finken: For us, sustainability is not a trend but the foundation of everything we do. We work with partner farmers in Germany who grow our raw materials sustainably and, in part, organically certified. All our fiber production processes are GOTS-certified – from the field to the finished fiber. This way, we create transparency, reliability, and make a real contribution to reducing the ecological footprint of the textile industry.

Nettle, linen, hemp – what makes the combination so special?

Martina Finken: Each of these fibers brings its own unique qualities: hemp stands for strength, linen for breathability and softness, and nettle for its fineness and distinctive sheen. Together, they form a unique portfolio of bast fibers with versatile applications. Moreover, we are currently the only company able to offer all three bast fibers in GOTS-certified quality – a unique selling point in the market.

What will you be bringing to PERFORMANCE DAYS?

Martina Finken: We will present a wide range of fabrics and nonwovens containing our fibers, developed in collaboration with renowned manufacturers, primarily from Europe. These include wovens as well as jerseys and sweats in different qualities. Also featured: an exciting customer project with a mainstream brand that demonstrates how we support companies in sourcing finished products with our fibers. We also see great potential in functional wear projects and look forward to fruitful discussions at PERFORMANCE DAYS.