Countries of origin
Sustainability is an important component for the LANA GROSSA business model. LANA GROSSA is not only a GOTS-certified company, we are also focused on animal welfare, environmental protection and fair work conditions. Quality and responsible use of resources have been our philosophy for decades.
As a company we are certainly not perfect. Every day we acknowledge there is room for improvement, this gives us the courage to aim for the next milestone on our sustainability agenda.
Who made what and how? How have the animals and environment been treated? How much energy and raw materials were used? But also – how well and with what quality was something produced? A product has many aspects, visible and invisible. A traceable production chain and the outstanding resulting quality is what makes LANA GROSSA.
As a leading manufacturer in the hand knitting industry, we are conscious of our responsibility to make a social contribution to a viable and sustainable future.
We have a long standing, trusted working relationship with our suppliers and mills. We are particularly careful when selecting new and international partners. We remain in constant contact, regularly making short visits to the production sites. This intensive exchange lays the foundation for a transparent, trusting relationship and smoothly functioning supply chains.
As a traditional medium sized company, we cannot stand still, rather we act daily to best satisfy both the demands of our customers and the sustainable quality of our products.
LANA GROSSA is all about the wool – and it is sourced from Merino sheep located in Australia, New Zealand and South America. This Merino has been bred for about 180 years, which guarantees a very fine, durable wool. Good living conditions such as appropriate animal handling and responsible management by the breeders, are vital to ensure that merino sheep deliver top-quality wool.
With merino wool, we adhere to standards that we believe can be implemented within the scope of our quality framework standards. This means that our Merino wool comes from guaranteed mulesing-free suppliers. LANA GROSSA believes this is an important milestone for our demanding sustainability agenda.
There is a complex production process all the way from best quality raw wool to the final soft ball of wool. Careful shearing is very important for the health and well-being of the animals. Once a year they must be “freed” from the heavy wool.
Shearing is craftsmanship. After washing and repeated combing, the so-called carding, in which the wool fleece is freed from any residue, the fiber is divided into different qualities in preparation for further processing in the spinning mill.
In addition to classic wool, LANA GROSSA uses other animal hair as a base for high-quality yarns for creative knitting. A perfect example is the long-haired south African Angora goats. The particularly fine, shiny hair of the young goat is called kid mohair. Mohair is especially light, soft and fluffy.
The pleasant thing about alpaca wool is its elasticity and airiness. The hair of the south American small camel is five times warmer than sheep wool making it perfect for life at 5000 meters above sea level! Our new Alpaca yarns are AIA certified.
The robust and especially warm fleece of the yak is ideal for our sock yarn. The most precious and luxurious fiber comes from cashmere goats, gives great warmth and a sensuous drape. This animal can be found in Mongolia and in the Himalayas, living in extremely cold winter conditions. The very fine down undercoat gives it the best protection. This valuable hair is plucked by hand or by combing during the spring moulting. This means only 100 grams of fiber is collected per animal per year.
LANA GROSSA´s entire production is sourced, with a few individual exceptions, from leading spinning mills in northern Italy, in particular in Biella and Prato. This region has both long founded wool traditions and a history of craftsmanship, whose roots extend well back into the previous century, yet simultaneously comply with modern environmental guidelines. GOTS-certification, Öko-Tex-Standard and a dyeing process which follows international REACH Standard; these are the basic requirements.
LANA GROSSA has partnered for many years with leading Italian spinning mills to produce high quality yarn collections from predominantly natural fibers that set real trends in terms of material, colors and appearances. For this process we use modern machines. The entire production from the fluffy fleece or the combed top, to the yarn, is automatically controlled.
Every spinning mill that works with LANA GROSSA brings with it a distinct specialization. This is how LANA GROSSA deals with a complex variety of needs and the individual wishes of the do-it-yourself market season after season. A high level of quality and a distinct feel of traditional Italian handcrafted design are guaranteed. You don’t just see it in the wool, you can also feel it!
Innovation means teamwork: while some mills are great in blending fibers, others excel in the manufacturing of novelty yarns or natural fibers such as fine mohair or cashmere. Yarns like Merino, Alpaca and mohair are high-quality natural materials. If synthetic fibers are added, it´s mainly to help improve the durability and resilience of the respective yarn. Particularly with a very fine, light and hairy fiber such as mohair, this is an important addition to achieve satisfyingly sustainable knitwear.
With every yarn and wool collection LANA GROSSA employs techniques to produce suitable products that fit to modern lifestyles – the Zeitgeist. New manufacturing methods are intensively tested and perfected. The Air-FlowSystem gives the yarn more volume by utilizing air pressure. Innovative printing techniques enable three-dimensional prints and color gradients. Unusual twists create new fascinating effects.
There is always something different, an alternative yarn characteristic in LANA GROSSA portfolios. Among them recycled cashmere and wool to RWS-Standard, but also Ecovero – a more environmentally friendly viscose with low water consumption. In the future we are aware that raw material availability and avoiding overproduction will be ever more decisive factors for LANA GROSSA production.
Sustainability – where does it start and where does it end? Firstly, we need to rethink. No step is too small for our sustainability agenda. With measurably reduced emissions as a clear target, we are guided on our way… to learn and constantly improve. Sustainability means many things, we also aim to take care of our employees, we also strive for the same end goal with our business partners. Modern and flexible working conditions, fair wages and the engagement of passionate knitters.
The geographical position of the spinning mills in northern Italy is close to our Bavarian base, keeping transportation distance short. This allows us to keep our Ecological “Footprint” low.
The switch to exclusive use of recycled packaging or degradable materials and environmentally friendly print methods is rapidly in progress.
We love wool and we love what we do. Our company wants to help shape the future with creative and visionary ideas, help us with this. LANA GROSSA wool and yarns are produced exclusively for end consumers, that means you! For you, who diligently pick up your needles and enthusiastically create your very own favorite garments yourselves. Visit us at our website for regular updates and join us on our creative and sustainable journey.
