Europe is home to some of the world’s leading bed linen manufacturers, producing bed sheets, pillow cases, mattress covers, and much more. In this guide, we explain how factories differ in terms of fabric options, certification, and minimum order quantity requirements.
Supplier Overview
Supplier qualifications
Natural fabrics
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
OEKO Tex Standard 100
Industry overview
Natural fabrics
Some bed linen and bedding manufacturers in Europe specialise in certain types of natural fabrics. However, this should not be taken for granted. As such, you must limit your supplier selection to bed linen factories that either produce or procure natural fabrics.
Examples
- Linen
- Hemp
- Organic cotton
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) establishes traceability systems for organic cotton. In short, complying with GOTS requires that the cotton plantation meets certain conditions, and obtains certification that can be transferred to the next company in the supply chain. This could, for example, be a fabrics manufacturer or a bed linen manufacturer directly.
The bed linen manufacturer must also obtain GOTS certification, which can then be passed on to your brand – although your company must also be certified.
This might sound fairly complicated, which it is. However, if you intend to sell organic cotton bed linen then you must limit your supplier selection to those that already are in the GOTS company database.
OEKO Tex Standard 100
Chemical compliance is equally important when selling bed linen. Textiles are often subject to substance regulations when sold in the EU, US, and UK. This includes the REACH regulation in the EU and UK, which restricts heavy metals such as lead. In the United States, California Proposition 65 also sets substance restrictions.
It is quite common that European bed linen manufacturers refer to OEKO Tex Standard 100, rather than the actual regulation. This is since OEKO Tex Standard 100 serves as sort of a catch-all, in the sense that it groups substance restrictions from multiple regulations in Europe and the US.
| Country/market | Examples |
| EU | 1. REACH
2. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation |
| USA | CPSIA (Total lead content) |
Flammability standards
Further, bed linen and bedding may also be subject to fabric flammability standards and regulations. You must communicate your flammability requirements to the suppliers. Here are some examples:
EU
EN ISO 12952-1 – Textiles. Assessment of the ignitability of bedding items. Ignition source: Smoldering cigarette
EN ISO 12952-2 – Textiles. Assessment of the ignitability of bedding items. Part 2: Ignition source: match-flame equivalent
USA
ASTM D4151 – Standard Test Method for Flammability of Blankets
MOQ requirements
The MOQ requirement is normally set on a per-fabric and colour basis. This can be explained by the fact that fabrics must be procured in a certain minimum order quantity. For example, if a cotton fabric in a single colour must be produced in 3000 running metres (linear metres) then this translates into a certain number of bed sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers.
Some European factories set the MOQs higher, and others lower. This largely depends on their customer group, as some are more geared towards working directly with brands, while some bed linen manufacturers primarily supply large hospitality groups.
Portugal
Têxteis Massal Lda
Têxteis Massal Lda is a Portuguese family-owned bed linen manufacturer that was founded in 1999. The company follows modern trends and designs its products based on market needs. It claims that it is recognised for how comfortable and soft its fabrics are, as well as being a reference in the home-textile sector.
It uses a broad range of fabric qualities for its bed linen products, such as percale, jacquards, organza, satin, and linen.
According to its website, the company’s production process begins with weaving, design, and fabric inspection. The material is cut, quilted, embroidered, and sewn. The company also implements quality control and irons, packages, and ships its bed linen products to its clients.
Main products
- Pillowcases
- Blankets
- Bedsheets
- Bed covers
Location: Guimarães, Portugal
Allcost
Allcost, founded in 2017 in Portugal, manufactures textiles for the home and hotel sectors. The company uses certified raw materials and “exquisite yarns” to produce quality bed linens. It uses various types of fabric such as percale, Pima cotton, cashmere, hemp, satin, and linen to make its bed linens.
The company’s qualifications include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS, and Global Recycled Standard (GRS). Allcost also has an Accredited Gold Seal from the Cotton Egypt Association and is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, Tencel, Polygiene, and European Flax.
Allcost’s clients include Crowne Plaza Vilamoura, Ria Park Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa, as well as Madeira Regency Club.
Main products
- Bedding products
- Blankets
- Quilts
Location: Portugal
Poland
ANDROPOL S.A.
Founded in 1906, ANDROPOL S.A. manufactures many types of textile products, including bed linens, sheets, and blankets for household and hotel use.
The company’s two production facilities are its weaving mill and fabric finishing plant. While its weaving mill works with fabrics such as polyesters, cotton, and linen, its finishing plant handles services such as bleaching, dyeing, printing, and coating.
Andropol S.A. lists its multiple certifications and qualifications on its website. Those include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, AQAP 2110. It also has certificates from Moratex, CIOP, PZH, the Textile Research Institute, and the Gdynia Cotton Association.
Main products
- Bed linen
- Bed sheets
- Duvets
- Pillows
- Blankets
Location: Andrychów, Poland
Świat Lnu Sp. z o.o
Świat Lnu Sp. z o.o was registered in Poland as a textile and clothing company in 2001. The company specialises in manufacturing natural fabrics and products of natural origin. These fabrics include hemp fabric, cotton fabrics, and linen fabrics. It also claims that its fabrics are resistant and durable. Its decorative fabrics can be used in the bedroom, and the company even makes bedding fabrics.
According to its website, some of the company’s products are compliant with the REACH Regulation and the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Świat Lnu Sp. z o.o also has a Certificate of Health Quality from Poland’s National Institute of Public Health.
The company also offers printing, fabric dyeing, and finishing services.
Main products
- Bedding fabrics
- Home decor fabrics
- Upholstery fabrics
Location: Kamienna Góra, Poland
Estonia
Wendre Group
Wendre Group was founded in Vändra, Estonia as a linen factory in 1935, and began manufacturing blankets and pillows in 1993. The company acquired Swedish companies such as Bema Bedline and Bema Quilting, and in 2006, opened a Poland division to manufacture quilts and pillows.
Wendre’s certifications include ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. The company is awarded the Estonian Exporter of the Year and Estonian Recycler of the Year Award. It is also recognised by the Estonian Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Index.
Wendre Group’s services include product development and innovations, manufacturing, logistics, and marketing and sales support. It also offers its services for private label, contract, and professional businesses.
Main products
- Beds
- Boxspring
- Bedding products
- Quilts
- Pillows
- Mattresses
Location: Pärnu, Estonia
