sustainability
It's undisputed that the fashion industry must become drastically more sustainable. Both small and large companies have a responsibility to do this. But consumers can also make a difference through a conscious and sustainable approach to clothing and consumption. Our goal is to create clothing that people wear with joy and conviction for a long time.
With our sustainability approach, we aim to provide the necessary transparency and education to give every customer the basis for a conscious purchasing decision. The concept is divided into the 4 C's, which are explained in more detail below:
Consciousness, Collaboration, Contribution, Commitment.
Consciousness
The term "sustainability" has entered the fashion world and is now almost omnipresent. However, in the jungle of numerous certifications and opaque value chains, it's not always easy for customers to make a conscious, sustainable purchasing decision. Furthermore, we are aware that every production of a new textile product ultimately consumes resources, generates CO2 emissions, and creates waste. Therefore, our goal is to offer high-quality products that our customers value and that bring them joy for as long as possible. We view sustainability as an optimization process that must be considered holistically, from raw material cultivation to the end consumer.
Together with our partners, we strive to develop more environmentally friendly products and more sustainable processes. We also believe consumers share responsibility. To enable customers to act and make their own decisions, we strive to provide the most transparent and understandable information possible.
There are now a multitude of labels and certificates designed to make it easy for consumers to see whether a product is sustainable. However, some have very different focuses and therefore examine different aspects. The following table shows which labels examine what and what they do not.
Textile certificates
L&L product icons
ORGANIC
The raw materials used come from certified organic farming.
DURABLE
The workmanship and durable materials make it suitable for particularly long-term use.
NATURALLY
The product is made of natural and non-synthetic fibers. Excludes: finishing, labels, and closures.
PLASTIC-FREE
The main components of the product and packaging do not contain any plastic. Except for labels and closures.
RECYCLED
The product is made entirely or partially from recycled materials.
OFFICIALLY
The use of logos or characters is authorized by an official cooperation or license.
Textile properties
Cotton (CO)
The most popular natural fiber
Cotton is a cellulose-based fiber and accounts for approximately 45% of the world's textile raw materials. It is the most widely used natural fiber and comes in a variety of qualities. Cotton is popular primarily due to its soft feel, high availability, and versatile properties. Other positive properties include its high moisture absorption, good tear resistance, and light weight, which ensure a comfortable feel. As a sustainable option, the market offers organic cotton, which requires fewer chemicals in its cultivation and reduces water consumption in production.
Polyester (PET)
A true all-rounder
Polyester is a synthetic fiber. Due to its modifiability, it can be given different properties depending on its application. Advantages of all polyester variants include their very high tear resistance, fast drying, soft feel, and good dyeability. Polyester is also often used in fiber blends with cotton, as their performance properties complement each other. Due to its low crease tendency, polyester is also easy to handle in everyday use. Recycled polyester is produced by melting down plastic waste such as PET bottles.
Polyacrylic (PAN)
Vegan wool alternative
The synthetic fiber polyacrylic, or acrylic for short, can be described as a synthetic equivalent of wool. Acrylic is used both on its own and in fiber blends to improve stretch, shine, or warmth, for example. Furthermore, acrylic is lightweight, particularly UV-resistant, quick-drying, and offers good moisture transport. Due to its voluminous fibers, acrylic is ideal for winter clothing such as scarves and hats.
Wool (WO)
Soft and warm
Wool is classified as a protein-based animal fiber. When we talk about wool, we mean sheep's hair. Due to different breeds and varieties, the market offers various types of wool, such as fine Merino wool. Wool is particularly popular as a winter garment due to its exceptionally good warmth retention. In addition to its warming properties, wool also exhibits high elasticity, which allows wool textiles to retain their shape well. Another advantage is the fiber's recyclability.
Nylon (PA)
Robust and flexible
Among the synthetic fibers, nylon is classified as a polyamide fiber. It is highly stretchable and is frequently used in stockings and swimwear. Nylon is one of the most abrasion- and tear-resistant fibers, which is why it is also used for seat belts in the automotive and aviation industries. Like acrylic and polyester, nylon is used in fiber blends to increase the tear resistance of socks, for example. Recycled nylon from plastic waste such as fishing nets offers the same quality as new production.
Elastane (EL)
The stretch material
Spandex, also known by the brand name Lycra, is a synthetic fiber. Perhaps its most important characteristic is its elasticity. The fiber can be stretched up to five times its original length. Unlike purely stretchy fabrics, spandex has the ability to instantly return to its original shape. This makes spandex particularly suitable for sportswear and tight-fitting textiles, ensuring freedom of movement while maintaining a close fit.
Collaboration
We work with a variety of international partners and produce in a global network stretching from China to India, Pakistan, Italy, Turkey, and Germany. To ensure the most resource-efficient and fair production possible, we need strong partnerships along the entire value chain. We believe that selecting the right partners is more important than the location of the production facilities. Our selection process is therefore a long-term one, in which, in addition to product quality, personal relationships and local working conditions are paramount. Many Asian production countries struggle with significant prejudice.
But, as everywhere, there are good and bad examples. Our experience and impressions from numerous visits show that committed factories in prejudiced areas work particularly exemplary and correctly, disproving these clichés. What we greatly appreciate is the transparency of our partners' raw material sources, as this is not a given for all producers. It is particularly difficult when using blank goods that are purchased in a finished state from wholesalers in Germany. In countries with large raw material production areas, the entire supply chain up to the completion of the product is often located in one country, which in turn makes it much easier to trace the origin of the materials. Due to close exchange, combined with the importance of the textile industry, certain countries have achieved veritable expert status in certain textile sectors. Infrastructure, resources, and experts are thus in one place, ensuring efficient processes and high-quality results. Together, we want to promote environmentally and resource-friendly processes along the supply chain and keep delivery routes for individual production materials short, so that only the finished products have to be imported if possible. In addition to our impressions, the production facilities also have internationally recognized certifications that confirm safe working conditions and good social interaction.
Organic farming, high-quality materials, good working conditions, and fair pay ultimately naturally affect the product price – which is good and right. As mentioned, all aspects are important to us. Given these conditions, we nevertheless strive to offer our customers a reasonable price. Ultimately, the decision-making power lies with the end consumer, who determines which products prevail on the market through their purchasing decisions. This means that the customer is part of the product life cycle and can contribute significantly to a more sustainable textile industry through their decisions. The massive increase in online consumption and the associated CO2 emissions from deliveries and returns represent a particular sticking point. By working together, we can achieve a significant reduction here, from which everyone benefits.
At https://lobsterlemonade.com, we strive to provide the best possible shopping experience, so that fewer mistakes are made. In return, we encourage you to carefully consider the fabric and size of the products before making a purchase, so that you get exactly what you were looking for. Of course, we want to continue to offer the most convenient delivery possible, and should anything not be right, you can of course return it. We would also like to expressly encourage you to send us feedback and suggestions for improvement at info@lobsterlemonade.com .
We look forward to a good, constructive exchange.
Our production sites
India
In the motherland of cotton
We produce a large portion of our cotton products in southern India. Our partner is located in the Tamil Nadu region, which accounts for one-third of India's cotton production. Over the decades, a large number of textile experts have settled there and established an efficient infrastructure. This allows us to access a wide range of qualities without long transport routes. Our producer is committed to fair and, if possible, environmentally friendly production. International certifications and transparency are extremely important to them, enabling them to combat the prejudices of Far Eastern suppliers while simultaneously competing with cheaper providers. We maintain a very close working relationship, and our doors are always open for on-site visits.
Vietnam
State-of-the-art headwear
Our headwear production facility in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, is one of our longest-standing partnerships. The expertise and quality of production are extremely high. Accordingly, you can find products from renowned brands from all over the world in our showrooms. We are very proud of this long-standing partnership and the positive exchange with one of the top manufacturers in the headwear business. The working conditions are transparent and documented by international certifications. In addition to the high-quality workmanship and durable materials, we are impressed by the range of sustainable raw materials such as organic cotton and recycled synthetic fibers.
China
Unlimited possibilities
China offers virtually unlimited opportunities in textile production. As a beanie specialist, our headwear producer based there relies on sustainable raw materials and original finishes. Our socks are largely manufactured by our partner in Shandong, China, a region known for its advanced textile industry. State-of-the-art knitting machines make it possible to produce socks in a wide variety of gauges and material compositions. The range of styles extends from finer business socks and comfortable sports socks to special winter qualities and intricate patterned knits. Our partner verifies the sources of sustainable raw materials with certificates such as OEKO-TEX and the Global Recycling Standard.
Pakistan
Creation with enthusiasm
We develop our outerwear products with our production partner in Pakistan. Their enthusiasm for the sports industry, especially football and cricket, is reflected in their dedication to sportswear and techwear. Their expertise allows us to work together on technically sophisticated new developments. Especially in the outerwear sector, where the functionality and durability of the textile play a key role, this supplier excels with meticulous quality assurance throughout all production steps.
Turkey
Tradition meets innovation
Our Turkish production partner is located right in the heart of Istanbul. This small, owner-managed factory draws on decades of experience in the field of sportswear and knitwear such as scarves and hats. In addition to us, we also maintain long-standing partnerships with renowned, major sporting goods brands. In this long-established production facility, traditional, high-quality machinery meets sustainable, innovative raw materials such as recycled polyester and organic cotton.
Contribution
Knowledge and awareness are the foundation. However, concrete action is also required to move things in the right direction and make the textile business more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and fairer. To make our contribution, we have identified three areas in which we want to continually improve: more sustainable products, environmental protection , and social responsibility .
The work on the products is obvious – we want our products to be worn with pleasure and for a long time. This means that we focus on pleasant wearing comfort and durable fabrics. The use of environmentally friendly fabrics is another building block. The use of organically grown or recycled fabrics must be increased. Furthermore, a circular economy should also be strived for in the production of new fabrics, which means that right from the design stage, consideration must be given to how a product can be made as reusable and easily recyclable as possible. For example, blends of synthetic and natural fibers are difficult to recycle and are therefore often incinerated instead, at a cost. For pure synthetic and pure organic materials, on the other hand, there are increasingly more reuse options.
Unfortunately, the manufacture of products inevitably results in environmental pollution – everyone should be aware of this. But that's precisely why we must strive to minimize this impact. Packaging is the simplest and most obvious starting point for us. Minimalist packaging made from recycled materials results in a huge reduction in plastic waste without compromising the quality of the final product. After the production and packaging of products comes shipping and the associated CO2 emissions. This begins with the shipment of the products from the factory to us. We therefore try to manage shipping as best as possible, avoid unnecessary shipments, and rely on more environmentally friendly shipping methods. We also ensure that fabrics are sourced from areas close to production wherever possible.
We also utilize digital communication channels and adhere to thorough planning with our production partners. All of our foreign production partners already work on shared digital platforms, which significantly improves efficiency and eliminates a significant amount of sample deliveries.
As soon as the products are available for sale, we naturally want to offer you the best possible shopping experience and offer customers the option of fast delivery and free returns. Here, too, both sides are involved in minimizing shipping and thus CO2 emissions. We continue to strive to improve the information on product information and fits and, in turn, want to encourage customers to order consciously and carefully to avoid unnecessary shipping. In addition to environmental aspects, social issues must not be ignored. The positive trend toward "green" products, and the usually associated higher material costs and more expensive manufacturing processes, cannot come at the expense of other people. In particular, production workers and those affected by the amount of waste must be protected. Good and fair cooperation and support for internal development measures for production employees are out of the question for us. Furthermore, we strive for partnerships with independent social organizations. In particular, we seek partners who are deeply involved in specific topics and can achieve effective and sustainable results through their expertise.
Commitment
Starting in 2021, we have committed ourselves to making annual improvements in the areas described above : more sustainable products, environmental protection , and social responsibility . To ensure that this doesn't just stop at nice words and lofty plans, we want to openly communicate our actions. Below, we've listed our progress in a way that everyone can understand.
Better fitting guides & optimized packaging
Environmental protection
We've created and implemented a clear and understandable guide to all cuts and styles. We hope this improves the shopping experience and makes it easier and more pleasant for customers to find the right product. The positive side effect is fewer incorrect purchases and the associated returns.
We've also redesigned our packaging. Our new, minimalist concept largely eliminates plastic and unnecessary packaging materials. To ensure customers still receive attractive, authentically packaged products, we use cardboard bands and seal stickers.
APRIL 2021
Protect Biodiversity
Social responsibility
For more than two centuries, the Senckenberg Society for Natural Research has been committed to preserving biodiversity. To continue raising awareness of this important issue, we have jointly developed a collection. The products feature both endangered animals and their prominent ancestors, the dinosaurs. We used exclusively organically grown materials for the collection. The Senckenberg Society for Natural Research receives a portion of the proceeds.
JUNE 2021
Reduce mixed fiber content
More sustainable products
In 2021, we reduced the proportion of apparel products containing blended fibers from 23% to 5%. Especially in sweatwear, we have largely removed all blended fiber products from our portfolio and replaced them with pure cotton textiles. However, we see problems with eliminating blended fibers in socks. Without stretch material through a synthetic fiber content, comfort and durability would be severely compromised. Acrylic-wool blends, for example, are also suitable for headwear, especially snapbacks. These fabrics are very durable and hardly fade even under strong sunlight. This can significantly increase the lifespan of the caps, which is why we still use this fiber blend in some cases.
DECEMBER 2021
Plastic Fischer
Environmental protection / Social responsibility
Every year, between 8 and 12 million tons of plastic enter the oceans, much of it from the rivers of Asia. The Plastic Fischer Organization has developed a simple technology that helps fish plastic out of the rivers. This technology can be easily built and used by local people, creating sustainable local jobs. The collected materials are then sorted, dried, and prepared for further recycling processes. We have been a partner and supporting Plastic Fischer since April 1, 2022. It is particularly important to us that they are heavily involved in our production countries of Vietnam and India.
APRIL 2022
Recycled materials
More sustainable products
In 2022, we worked with our production partners to intensify our efforts to find ways to use recycled materials in our products without compromising product quality. Especially for our winter hats, we obtained excellent fabric qualities with a high recycled content. This has enabled us to increase the percentage of beanies made with recycled materials to 42%. We have also achieved initial development successes in other product categories. We released the first jacket made of 100% recycled polyester and socks with an 80% recycled polyester content in 2022. We continue to promote the reuse of fabrics and are actively exploring further options and new recycling processes.
DECEMBER 2022
Certified products
Controlled production
Obtaining the GOTS certification in September 2023 marks a decisive step forward on our path to more sustainable textile production. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is one of the world's leading certifications for textiles made from organically grown raw materials and guarantees that strict ecological and social standards are adhered to at all stages of the production chain. By 2024, a large portion of our textile products will be made from certified organic cotton and bear the GOTS seal.
SEPTEMBER 2023