Sustainability
At HYLJE, we prioritize utilizing as much local and nearby workforce as possible, along with fabrics and materials from trusted suppliers. This approach ensures that our overalls are high-quality, durable, and stylish, capable of withstanding demanding weather conditions for years.
Our goal is that a new overall is only purchased when the old one has truly reached the end of its lifespan. That’s why we provide guidance on product care and proper size selection. If needed, you can have your overall serviced or repaired by us, or even find a new owner for your old overall through our channels.
A HYLJE overall is a long-term companion, and our collections are designed for longevity. A few years ago, we also made the decision to eliminate separate women’s and men’s models to help minimize overproduction and textile waste.
Design From Finland
Our overalls have been awarded the Design From Finland label by the Association for Finnish Work, as they are designed in Naantali by textile and clothing industry professional Mia.
The visual and technical design process includes selecting details and materials, pricing the products, and scheduling production.
Sewing in Estonia
The sewing and garment assembly take place in Estonia. The seamstresses are adults, their wages comply with collective agreements, and their well-being is ensured just as it is in our own operations.
Once the garments are completed, they are transported to our warehouse in Naantali, from where they are shipped to our customers.
Origin of Fabrics and Materials
The textile industry often raises concerns about the origin and ethics of fabrics and materials. We strive for transparency and to trace the origins of our materials as thoroughly as possible. However, there is always room for improvement.
The fabrics for HYLJE overalls are sourced from Foxa, a company based in Forssa, Finland. Foxa’s fabrics come from both Europe and Asia. All fabrics we use have either an Öko-Tex or Blue Sign certification. Foxa ensures compliance with REACH regulations and inspects the factories at least twice a year, according to our contact person Salla from Foxa.
The lining of the overalls is stitched in Estonia, and Opti zippers are also produced there. The cuffs are knitted in Lithuania. The molded buttons with thermal properties in our thicker overalls, as well as plastic components such as buckles and fasteners, come from domestic suppliers in Finland. All straps and cords used in our overalls are manufactured by Finn-Nauha in Haapamäki, Finland. The HYLJE labels are produced in Portugal. If our products require embroidery, it is done either in Estonia or Finland, depending on the situation.
Our merino wool socks and beanies are knitted in Finland. The T-shirts, made from 100% recycled fibers by the Finnish company Pure Waste, are manufactured in India.
Fur and Its Processing
Products designed for extremely cold conditions are available with a raccoon dog fur-trimmed hood. The HYLJE Xtreme overall includes the fur as part of the price, while for HYLJE Polar C Revontuli and HYLJE Polar C Revontuli Junior, the fur trim is available as a separate purchase.
In cold-weather gear, fur is not a decorative element but serves the essential function of breaking the wind in front of the face and protecting from freezing gusts. Based on our product development and customer feedback, no synthetic material has yet matched the warmth and protective properties of real fur. However, we are open to switching to a synthetic alternative if a material with equivalent performance becomes available.
Our products are manufactured based on pre-sales and demand forecasts, so we do not stockpile raccoon dog fur. Fur trims are ordered only when a customer specifically requests one for their overall. All fur used in our products is wild raccoon dog fur—we do not use farmed raccoon dogs.
The raccoon dog fur is sourced from Leivonniemi, a company based in Tampere, Finland, which acquires it from local hunting associations. These hunters are trained and comply with Finnish hunting laws and regulations. The raccoon dogs used are hunted in early spring before the breeding season.
In Finland, the raccoon dog is classified as an invasive species that spreads diseases and reproduces rapidly. Since many are hunted, we believe it is more responsible to utilize the fur rather than produce new synthetic materials from petroleum-based sources.
The fur is tanned in Poland, as this traditional skill is becoming rare in Finland. The production process is regularly monitored and complies with EU regulations, including those concerning hexavalent chromium levels.
Nature’s Trusted Companion
We collaborate with carefully selected partners who share our values and commitment to responsible practices. It is important to us that we can stand proudly behind our partnerships.
Additionally, we share tips and advice with our followers on how to care for the environment through small everyday actions.
Responsible Production and Textile Safety
The HYLJE® brand is owned by the Finnish company HYLJE Wear / Ruusumo Family Group Oy. In our small organization, we work closely together and take good care of our team and network. HYLJE Wear is a financially stable company and is committed to complying with the industry’s collective labor agreements.
We hope that responsible local production is also important to our customers. If you have any questions about this topic, we are happy to help. You can contact our customer service or message us on our social media channels @hyljewear.
What is Öko-Tex?
The Standard 100 by Öko-Tex, developed in 1992, is an internationally controlled product safety label for textiles and clothing. A product with an Öko-Tex label is free from harmful substances, such as pesticide residues, heavy metals, or formaldehyde. As of December 2015, more than 10,000 textile companies have received this certification.
What is Blue Sign?
The Blue Sign certification covers the entire fabric production chain, ensuring that the use of chemicals and environmentally harmful emissions is minimized. Blue Sign also guarantees the safety of both workers and consumers.
