Finnish sports brand starts using 100 % Fairtrade certified cotton
Finnish clothing brand Torstai is the world’s first sports clothing brand to take part in the Fairtrade Cotton Programme
Finnish sportswear company Luhta’s brand Torstai is the world’s first sports brand to acquire all of its cotton from Fairtrade farmers.
Starting from autumn 2016, Torstai will produce all of its sports apparel from 100 per cent certified Fairtrade cotton. The Finnish brand is the world’s first sports clothing brand to take part in the Fairtrade Cotton Program.
The Fairtrade Cotton Program creates new ways to connect the Fairtrade cotton farmers with growing number of businesses seeking to make sustainable cotton a core part of their business.
“Torstai aims for strong growth in Europe’s sports clothing markets and is committed to grow its Fairtrade cotton purchases at least with 100 per cent during the next five years,” says Torstai’s Brand Manager Tomi Svensson from Luhta Sportswear Company.
Torstai’s first collection that is produced using Fairtrade cotton was released in Finland this summer. In addition to the Nordic countries, the new collection will be available in Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Italy and Russia.
“At the moment the cotton used by Torstai comes from Fairtrade farmers in India, and for them the long trade relationship means that they venture to acquire fertilizers and tools and plan the future,” comments Riikka Karppinen, Head of Marketing and Commercial Relations at Fairtrade Finland.
Luhta Sportswear Company is a Finnish family business founded in 1907 in Lahti, Finland. The company makes a turnover of about EUR 241 million, and it employs 1592 people. Exports activities cover in total over 50 countries. In addition to brands Torstai, the group has brands such as Luhta, Rukka and Icepeak.