Frequently Asked Questions
What does sustainability mean to Marimekko?
At Marimekko, sustainability means fairness to both people and the environment in everything we do. This means, for example, reducing the climate intensity of our operations – between 2019 and end of year 2023, we reduced the carbon footprint of our own operations by 71%, and we aim to reduce the climate impact of the textile materials we source by 20% between 2019 and end of year 2025. This means, for example, using more organic and recycled materials.
We treat people fairly and we strive to create products that bring joy for a long time while we minimize the environmental impacts. Sustainability is part of our everyday work and business development. You can read our newest sustainability review here.
Where are Marimekko products manufactured?
A large part of Marimekko products is manufactured in the European Union (44% in 2023). High-quality craftsmanship and manufacturing expertise is found all over the world, and Marimekko’s sourcing approach is always to find the most suitable and competent manufacturer for each product. Regardless of where they are made, contract manufacturers are committed to Marimekko’s high quality and durability standards and respect for human rights. Procurement decisions are made on a collection-by-collection basis, with the aim of establishing long-term partnerships. Read more about the origin of products.
Why aren’t all Marimekko products manufactured in Finland?
Marimekko’s product range is very wide and, and all the required production capacity, special machinery, manufacturing skills, materials and supplies cannot be found in Finland. Marimekko’s design and product development are done in Finland and 44% of Marimekko products in 2023 were manufactured in the European Union, but high-quality workmanship and manufacturing know-how exist also in different parts of the world. As a global company we have a global manufacturing network and we aim at finding the most suitable manufacturer for each product. Regardless of where the products are made, all contract manufacturers must commit to Marimekko’s quality and responsibility standards, and respecting human rights.
How are Marimekko products priced?
We aim at pricing our products so that as many consumers as possible have the possibility to buy them, without compromising on quality. For Marimekko and its customers, material choices, quality and design are the most important considerations and therefore they also guide our sourcing. Product pricing is affected by many things such as the design, materials and supplies, technical details, manufacturing location and production volumes.
Who manufactures Marimekko products?
Marimekko’s interior fabrics, kitchen textiles, as well as many of the fabrics used in our garments and bags, are printed in Marimekko’s own textile printing factory in Helsinki. In addition, products are manufactured by suppliers in Finland and abroad, for example in the Baltic countries, Portugal, China and Thailand. We strive for long-term partnerships with suppliers and our goal for sourcing is to find the most competent manufacturer for each product taking into account sustainability aspects such as environmental practices, working conditions and safety practices. In addition, production volumes, delivery times and production costs have an impact on sourcing. Good and competent suppliers play a key role in Marimekko’s competitiveness.
Find the list of Marimekko’s suppliers. To increase transparency, all of Marimekko products have been labeled with the country of origin since 2006.
How does Marimekko monitor the manufacturing conditions of its products?
Our aim is to always manufacture our products in the best place for each product category. We choose our suppliers carefully, paying particular attention not only to commercial conditions but also, among other things, to working conditions, safety issues, and wages. Marimekko’s sourcing is guided by the principles of sustainable sourcing and the Supplier Code of Conduct. This means, for example, a commitment to a safe working environment, reasonable working hours and fair pay. Suppliers are also committed to prohibition of harassment and discrimination, child and forced labour, bribery and corruption. Communication between Marimekko and its suppliers is on-going, for example through regular factory visits by Marimekko personnel.
We are also part of the European amfori BSCI initiative, which aims to promote the monitoring of working conditions and improve working conditions in global supply chains. This means that external experts regularly carry out audits at Marimekko’s suppliers, in particular in risk countries, and monitor the implementation of our Code of Conduct. Purchasing agreements with suppliers bind the supplier to comply with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and the BSCI Code of Conduct.
Where does the cotton used in Marimekko products originate?
The cotton we use comes from all over the world. We do not source cotton materials from certain very high-risk areas or countries. You can learn more in our Product Policy.
Much of the cotton we use is Better Cotton, grown by around three million cotton farmers in 24 countries or regions around the world, including India, Brazil, parts of Africa, the United States and China. Better Cotton educates farmers to both care for the environment and respect workers’ rights and welfare. In 2023, 57 percent of the cotton sourced was Better Cotton, 29 percent organic cotton and 9 percent recycled cotton, while the share of conventional cotton was 5 percent. The non-BC cotton we use comes from countries such as India, Pakistan, the United States, Peru and Turkey. We ask our suppliers annually to provide us with information on the origin of the cotton materials they source for us.
How does Marimekko ensure that cotton used in its products is produced in fair working conditions?
Marimekko’s sourcing follows the principles of sustainable sourcing. All our suppliers must commit to Marimekko’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which prohibits forced labor and child labor, and requires reasonable working hours and a safe working environment. In addition, we do not source materials, especially cotton, from certain very high-risk countries. You can find more information in our Product Policy.
The cotton production chain is long, complex and challenging to trace, with raw cotton fibers often collected from different regions and countries and blended before spinning into yarn to ensure consistent quality. Marimekko is a small player in the international market for cotton products, and as Marimekko does not work directly with cotton farmers, we aim to contribute to the development of the sector together with others.
In 2013, we were the first Finnish company to join the international Better Cotton initiative, which aims to help cotton communities survive and thrive while protecting and restoring the environment. You can read more about the initiative at bettercotton.org.
We are committed to phasing out the use of conventional cotton and are thus sourcing only organic cotton, Better Cotton, recycled cotton or other traceable cotton as of 2024.
Which kind of materials does Marimekko offer to its customers?
We continuously strive to increase the use of enhanced conventional, recycled and organic materials as well as less emission-intensive materials. we aim to increase the use of more sustainable and reduce the use of conventional materials. In 2023, we increased the share of recycled materials to 21 percent and organic materials to 20 percent. The share of conventional enhanced materials was 48 percent of all purchased textile materials. Conventional enhanced materials include, among others, Better Cotton and certified wool.
We became a member of global Better Cotton in 2013, and in 2023 57 percent of the cotton sourced into our supply chain was produced according to the Better Cotton criteria. Read more about the initiative. We also include organic, recycled, certified, and new, innovative materials in our collections.
The majority of materials printed at our Helsinki printing factory are certified in accordance with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®, which guarantees that they do not contain harmful chemicals for people or for environment.