The challenges facing the textile industry are multifaceted. So much so that it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the big-picture problems while forgetting that some of the most minor adjustments can still bring us closer to our goals.

Enter CHARLE Berlin, a premium haberdashery brand founded in 2011 by Mandy Geddert. CHARLE Berlin specialises in the development, production, and distribution of high-quality, sustainable trims and parts for the apparel and textile industry. Those smaller pieces that we often don’t think about.

With CHARLE Berlin, Geddert is focusing on well-thought-out solutions made from natural or bio-based materials. That makes it a suitable fit for Lenzing AG. This June, at the Future Fabrics Expo 2025 in London – the leading trade fair for sustainable material innovations – the two companies revealed an exciting joint innovation: a new generation of plastic-free¹ textile trims: elastic bands made from TENCEL™ Lyocell, TENCEL™ LUXE filament yarn, and natural rubber.

“Our goal was to create an elegant and functional solution for the fashion and textile industry, using materials and processes selected with attention to environmental and social aspects,” says Mandy Geddert, founder of CHARLE Berlin.

With their supple feel and a subtle, natural sheen, the new bands will appeal particularly to the lingerie sector. Thanks to natural rubber, the elastics are durable and functional. They are made with TENCEL™ fibers, which are biodegradable and compostable². It’s just one of the many innovation projects we are investing in to drive positive change, in ways big and small.

“Through an excellent and close collaboration with CHARLE Berlin, a future-proof product has been created that not only offers a high-performance alternative to conventional synthetic trims but also contributes significantly to more responsibly produced textile applications,” says Bernd Schleuchardt, Senior Technical Development Manager Apparel at Lenzing.

_{¹ Directive (EU) 2019/904}

_{² LENZING™ Lyocell and Modal standard fibers are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA as biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions.}