Merino by nature

You can find us here:

Wörthstraße 155
72793 Pfullingen
Tel: +49 7121/38787-88

Directions via Google Maps

Opening hours
Monday to Wednesday:
09:00  – 15:00
Thursday and Friday:
09:00 – 18:00
Saturday:
09:00 – 14:00 (only in November & December)

Gift vouchers for the factory outlet are available directly from us on site.

We look forward to your visit.

For sustainability reasons, we do not have catalogues for end consumers. However, you can view our catalogue and lookbook online and download it from our website.

Our products are made where sustainability begins – right here in southern Germany. The majority are manufactured in our own factory in Pfullingen, while other items are produced in partner companies within a radius of just 50 kilometres. This proximity enables us to keep transport distances short, protects the environment, creates flexibility – and secures local jobs. Get to know our partner companies – and the people who put their heart and soul into ensuring quality.

As a manufacturer, we take responsibility – from animal welfare to the finished garment.

ENGEL manufactures in accordance with the strict requirements of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the world's leading standard for the processing of textiles made from organically produced natural fibres. This standard not only sets the highest ecological requirements along the entire production chain, but also commits to compliance with binding social criteria.

Our GOTS certification is checked annually by independent testing institutes. This ensures that our production remains transparent, environmentally friendly and socially fair at all times – and that you can rely on genuine quality.

You can find more information about our certification here.

Products bearing the ‘IVN certified BEST – Natural textile’ seal are manufactured according to the highest possible ecological standards and thus clearly exceed the requirements of the GOTS.

Products certified with the IVN BEST must be produced from 100% certified organic natural fibres.

Further information can be found here. 

We searched for a long time for packaging that fits our values – and our products. Because our clothing deserves protection: from moisture, dirt and, above all, pests such as moths. Many of the supposedly more environmentally friendly solutions could not guarantee this protection in the long term – not to mention the idea of sending clothing without any packaging at all.

That's why we deliberately chose a solution that is well thought-through and makes sense in many ways: recycled polyethylene (PCR-LDPE).

Almost all of our packaging bags are made from at least 80% post-consumer recycled material – i.e. plastic that has already been used, processed and recycled.

Our supplier uses high-quality industrial waste, which produces particularly pure recycled material. Hardly any new resources are consumed and the bags can be recycled multiple times. Their production requires less water than cardboard or paper – and they come from Germany, just like their supplier. This saves long transport routes and reduces CO₂ emissions.

For us, our bags are not disposable material, but a valuable resource in the cycle. And they can continue to be useful for you too: They are ideal for storage – for example, for clothes in the wardrobe or craft supplies in the children's room.

ENGEL policy statement 

Fundamental position 

ENGEL GmbH is aware of its responsibility regarding the observance of human rights. We respect the human rights in our company values and delivery chains. It is our goal to promote their application and to prevent their violation. Together with our employees, customers and business partners we strive every day to promote human rights – that is what we are committed to, notably to fair business practises and good working and living conditions. 

Taking the above as a foundation, we have drafted this policy statement. The foundation of human rights diligence at ENGEL GmbH is our commitment to respecting the human rights as they are laid down in internationally agreed frameworks:

UN Human Rights Charter 

UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 

UN Convention on the Rights of Women 

Core labour standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 

The ten UN Global Compact Principles

Responsibility and claim

Sustainability 

Through far-sighted planning and responsible procurement of our yarns and materials, we grant our business partners an adequate time for scheduling their orders and associated with this, for suitable personnel deployment planning and payment. Should we gain knowledge of any adverse effects on human rights and the environment caused by our business operations, we commit to provide for systematic remedial action and compensation or at least for mitigation of the negative effects we have caused or towards which we have contributed with our business operations. We are cooperating with contracting companies within a radius of approx. 40 km. On the one hand, these short routes to the production sites make sense from an ecological point of view, on the other hand they allow us a high degree of flexibility, speed and production monitoring. Moreover, with short distances we minimise the risk of negative impacts on human rights, the environment and integrity.

In a declaration of conformity, all contracting companies involved in the production process undertake to work according to the guidelines of IVN and GOTS and to observe the social requirements. Subcontracting only takes place with the consent of ENGEL GmbH to ensure that these subcontractors produce according to the same criteria. 

95% of our range of goods is certified with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or with the world's most demanding quality mark IVN-Best. Apart certified organic cotton we process finest new merino wool from certified organic animal husbandry with silk. All dyes used are free of heavy metals and have always been free of harmful azo dyes. Our textile finishing dispenses with unnecessary chemical finishing. Basically, all substances used must be biodegradable and may not pollute soil, air and water.

Human rights diligence

Like every company, ENGEL has the social responsibility to secure existing jobs. And this is not only a responsibility towards all employees, but also for the company itself. However, social sustainability also means to secure jobs in the region, in the country, i.e. to prefer regional providers, to maintain supplier relationships and to keep up close ties. 

An important role for parties concerned or parties observing possible human rights violations is the access provided to the grievance mechanism. For this purpose, ENGEL GmbH has set up an e-mail address for the confidential reporting of information on compliance violations and information relating to human rights. These grievances can be addressed to complaint@engel-natur.de.

This e-mail address is checked on a weekly basis and so far, no complaints have been received. 

The social criteria are known to all employees and the current version from the GOTS and IVN-BEST guideline is on display both at ENGEL and at the contractors' premises. There is a financial reward system for suggestions for improvement regarding the entrepreneurial due diligence. 

We place a particular focus on the protection of vulnerable people such as adolescents, women, older employees and disabled persons and consider their wishes and skills with regard to work quality and work performance. 

ENGEL undertakes to pay remuneration at least amounting to the legally guaranteed minimum wage with working times that are consistent with current standards. Beyond that, we align ourselves with the payment of living wages. 

All our employees have a written employment contract in accordance with § 2 of the German Nachweisgesetz (Law on proof of the essential conditions applicable to an employment relationship).

Responsibilities 

Anyone who wants to buy sustainable clothing expects more than just a green label. But what does sustainable textile production actually mean and how can you be sure that ecological and social standards are actually being met? 

At ENGEL, we explain what ‘sustainability in clothing’ means to us.

Thank you for your interest in our products.

We are delighted that you would like to include ENGEL natural clothing in your range.

Please send us a copy of your business registration and a brief description of your shop – or alternatively, a link to your online shop.

Once we have received your details, we will send you further information about a possible collaboration.

We look forward to receiving your message and getting to know you.

The TOG system provides a unit of measure for the heat resistance of textiles. TOG stands for thermal overall grade and is used to describe the warmth or thermal resistence of a garment. The higher the TOG value, the warmer the sleeping bag. The following table shows which items of clothing the baby should wear inside the sleeping bag, depending on room temperature and the TOG value of the sleeping bag.

Many people associate wool with unpleasant itching – and there's a reason for that: most people remember wool from their childhood, often in the form of coarse virgin wool with thick fibres. But that has long since changed.

Today, there are fine wool qualities that are soft, skin-friendly and absolutely scratch-free. The decisive factor is the fibre strength – and that's exactly what we make visible for you.

Wearing wool in spring or summer? Of course – and with good reason.

Many people think that wool is only for the cold season. But modern wool clothing – made from fine organic virgin wool (from certified organic animal husbandry), for example – not only keeps you warm, it also actively regulates your body temperature.

It is breathable, absorbs moisture, protects against UV radiation and remains pleasantly light on the skin. That's why wool has long been considered year-round clothing – even for warm days.

In our tests (DIN EN 13758-1) the UV-protection of our materials wool and wool/silk was at least 22 to a maximum of 50 – depending on colour and quality.

(Please note! Wearing our clothes does not replace other UV protective measures.)

Besides the material itself the following factors can influence UV protection:

1. Material Structure:
   Higher density and weight of the material increases UV protection.

2. Garment Fit:
   Stretched and tight-fit clothing offers less UV protection than lose-fit clothing.

3. Colour:
   Dark colours offer a higher UV protection than light colours.

4. Humidity:
   Wet clothing reduces UV protection.

5. Use:
   Fading colours and abrasion of fibres reduces UV protection.

6. Layering:
   Wearing more than one layer increases UV protection

Our tests in accordance with DIN EN 13758-1 show that clothing made of wool or wool/silk offers natural UV protection of at least 22 to 50, depending on the colour and fabric quality.

This makes our textiles a valuable part of your sun protection – especially for sensitive skin.

Please note: Our clothing is not a substitute for complete UV protection – additional measures such as sun cream remain important.

All ingredients used in ENGEL products are nickel-free and not harmful to health or considered to be a health concern.

Small knots on the surface? So-called pilling is a well-known phenomenon in wool items – but what actually causes it? Can it be avoided? And is it a reason for complaint?

We spoke to Katja, our quality manager, who explains why pilling is completely natural – and how you can minimise it with the right care.

It is not necessary to wash our products before wearing them for the first time.  

Our products are manufactured in a 100 % ecologically sound manner and are not chemically equipped. Dyes, that are of health concern or materials that can lead to skin irritations or are harmful to the environment, are not used at all. In order to comply the strict requirements of IVN BEST and GOTS, the use of all these harmful substances is prohibited.  

Basically, we recommend that our wool and wool silk articles are washed as little as possible. Wool regenerates itself when exposed to oxygen-rich air and often it is already enough to hang the clothes outside in fresh air for a while.

Here you will find all tips for the optimal care of wool and wool/silk.

Important information:

We generally recommend washing our wool and wool/silk items as infrequently as possible. This is because wool has the natural ability to regenerate itself in oxygen-rich air – often, simply airing and/or brushing the garment is enough to make it comfortable to wear again.

And when washing is necessary:

To ensure that you can enjoy your favourite wool or wool/silk items for a long time, you will find our tried-and-tested care tips here on how to wash your natural clothing correctly – for long-lasting favourite items in harmony with nature.

Woollen clothing is valuable – and unfortunately also popular with textile pests. But how can you recognise a moth infestation? Which insects eat wool? And how can you get rid of them without resorting to chemical agents?

In our article, the ENGEL team explains how you can effectively and naturally protect clothing made of wool and wool/silk from pests – including practical tips on prevention and cleaning.

Read on and protect your favourite items

A baby hat is part of every newborn's basic equipment – in winter as well as in summer. Why? Because babies cannot yet regulate their body temperature themselves and lose heat quickly, especially through their heads. The right hat not only protects against the cold, but also against sun, wind and draughts.

However, most hats slip off due to the baby´s natural movements. To ensure that it stays where it belongs, our video shows you how to tie a baby hat correctly  – gently, securely and in a child-friendly way.

In this article, we explain the difference between wool and wool fleece so that you can make the right purchase decision.

Discover our overalls – from day one to toddler age in sizes 50–116.

The TOG value helps you choose the right temperature rating for sleeping bags and blankets – depending on the room temperature and season.

In our article, you can find out exactly what the TOG value means and how you can use our TOG table and practical tips to make the right decision for your child.

Mulesing – what is behind this controversial method and why do we produce mulesing-free products?

To protect sheep from the blowflies that live in Australia and New Zealand, a practice known as mulesing is often used – a procedure in which parts of the skin are removed from lambs without anaesthesia.

But there is another way: ENGEL uses only mulesing-free organic virgin wool from certified organic animal husbandry in Patagonia – without compromise.

is the general term for all textile finishing methods, which change the visual appearance, which are the wear or care properties of a commodity following weaving or knitting. A distinction is made between mechanical and chemical finishing.  

This term refers to the seed hair of the cotton boll, which bursts open when fully ripe. It grows in a tropical and subtropical climate. Cotton from ENGEL is strictly hand-picked, always originates from controlled organic cultivation and is therefore free of pesticides, artificial fertilisers and herbicides. Apart from a considerate treatment of nature, a fair cooperation with the producers is guaranteed. Natural cotton is very skin friendly and therefore particularly well suited for sensitive skin, but at the same time extremely durable and hard-wearing. Moreover, textiles made of natural cotton wool are anti-static and colour-fast and can be washed in the washing machine at high temperatures.  

In the textile sector, “organic” is not a protected term so that when you encounter this term it is not guaranteed that the products were manufactured according to ecological guidelines. The same applies to terms such as “natural”, “nature”, “healthy” or “ecological”. To be sure about organic products, you can pay attention to certifications such as “controlled organic cultivation” and the quality marks “NATURTEXTIL-IVN ZERTIFIZIERT BEST”, “GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS)”, “BIOLAND” and “DEMETER”.

Short fibres that have come off during the combing process of waste silk spinning and the short and tangled fibre particles of the innermost and outermost sheathing of the silk moth cocoon yield semi fine to rough natural silk yarns – bourette silk – which is of mostly irregular and knobby appearance. This silk is duller, but also more full-bodied than silk waste.

More and more children and adults suffer from neurodermatitis. Therefore it is essential to avoid allergens as early as possible, especially during the first months of life. Not only the large skin surface, but also the initially weak immune system lead to a high sensitivity of babies' and children's skin to harmful substances.  

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as worldwide leading standard for the processing of textiles made of biologically produced natural fibres. The standard defines environmental requirements throughout the entire textile production chain on a high levels and at the same time demands compliance with social criteria. ENGEL offers products that are certified with the GOTS. To be able to continue these certifications, we must be recertified by an independent organiation every year to guarantee a transparent, fair and ecological production.

The skin is our largest and most important sensory organ. It serves us humans as protective shell, senses soft touches just as much as pain, pressure and temperature and regulates our entire heat and moisture balance. Depending on the degree of physical exertion, the skin releases 1 to 2 litres of fluid every day to cool the body through the sweat glands.  

Elastic, double-faced flat or circular weft-knitted or warp-knitted knitwear, which on both sides of the fabric only exhibits plain stiches but is not ribbed. Two plain-plain knitted fabrics are joined together in such a manner that a plain stitch on the front is opposed by a slightly offset plain stitch on the rear. This results in an exceptionally fine and smooth loop structure. The fabric has a very supple appearance.

Products carrying the seal “IVN certified BEST – Natural textile” are produced according to the highest possible ecological standards and thus clearly even surpass the requirements of the GOTS. Products that are certified with the IVN Best must be produced from 100% controlled organic natural fibres.

organic cotton only permits natural fertilisers and prescribes a cultivation with crop rotation (e.g. with grain or different types of vegetables such as sweet corn, beans, peanuts). That means that cotton is cultivated without chemical fertilisers and without the use of pesticides according to biodynamic guidelines. Thus, only soils are cultivated that have not been treated with chemicals for several years. Weeds are removed by hand, while pests are controlled through mixed cultivation and the introduction of beneficial insects. Biotopes that are set up, for example hedgerows and trees, serve as nesting sites for birds and small animals. Green manuring and alternating crop rotation enliven the soil and produce bigger harvests. Depending on the degree of ripeness of the cotton bolls, harvesting is carried out in 3 to 4 manual picking processes.

Organic virgin wool is characterised by the respect for animals and human beings. The merino sheep can live in a healthy and stress-free manner according to their needs and their species. Pastures must be selected in accordance with the climatic and ecological conditions that suit the merino sheep, the use of pesticides is forbidden both on the pastures and on the animal. The animals reproduce in a natural manner and interventions with the animal, such as tail docking or mulesing are forbidden. In short – the sheep are living a happy life.  

Mulesing For climatic reasons, sheep, particularly the very woolly merino sheep, are subject to infestation with the blowfly, especially in Australia and New Zealand. The fly thrives mostly in regions with permanently green ground cover, i.e. regions with frequent rainfalls. The climate is rather continental and only exhibits slight seasonal fluctuations, except for the South of Australia.  

Quality mark for natural textiles granted by the International Association of the Natural Textile Industry (IVN).  

Nickel is a silvery-white metal and the most frequent trigger of contact allergies. It is estimated that approx. 2 million people in Germany are sensitised to nickel. Besides, inhaling inorganic nickel compound leads to an increased risk of lung cancer. This is why ENGEL only uses nickel-free materials for press studs and other closures.

Sleeve cut, where sleeve and shoulder portion consist of one part. The raglan seam runs from the neck ring across the breast and diagonally across the back to the armhole.

is obtained from the cocoon of the wild silk moth. It designates the long staple fibres that are spun to tussah silk using the spun silk spinning method.

The silk thread is an animal protein fibre that is won from the cocoon of the silkworm. Its structure and properties are similar to wool fibres. The extraordinarily long fibres of natural silk, their tensile strength, yarn count and their characteristic touch turn them into one of the most precious and valuable textile materials. Silk has the gift to regulate the temperature and is particularly skin-friendly, so it is also very suited for people with sensitive skin.  

Wool fibres are protein fibres, and their composition is similar to the human skin. Only the hair of sheep is referred to as wool. All other animal hair, whether obtained from lamas, vicunas, goats, angora rabbits and camels, is not defined as wool although they are all very similar in structure. These are all protein fibres that consist of keratin (horn). Wool fibres have a characteristic structure due to their fine scales that are layered in a tiered structure. When treated incorrectly, these outer scales can become so entangled that the scales firmly interlock, that means the wool turns mat. Virgin wool describes wool fibres that are won by shearing living sheep. Only the primary processing may be referred to as pure virgin wool. Virgin merino wool comes off the merino sheep; it has a fine curl and is supple and soft.

Wool is very elastic. It is dirt- and water-repellent. Wool provides a temperature balancing and heat-regulating effect. It keeps you warmer than any other material. It regulates skin perspiration and the exchange of oxygen. It can absorb up to 1/3 of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. Thanks to the dirt-repelling habit, frequent washing is unnecessary as wool regenerates itself in combination with oxygen-rich air, i.e. by airing outside.