We are excited to welcome a new ambassador to our Recycle Journey! From this month onward, Raimo Grawe joins the Blue LOOP Originals team as the dedicated agent for Northern and Eastern Germany.

In this role, Raimo will be the primary point of contact for our partners in the region, helping to expand and strengthen our presence across Northern Germany. With his extensive experience, we are confident he will be a reliable and trusted partner for both our existing and new Blue LOOP Originals retail partners.

Together, we are driven by the mission to give textile waste a high-quality second life, share inspiring stories, and be a trusted and successful partner for our German Recycle Superheroes.

Raimo can be reached at:
Handelsagentur Raimo Grawe
Phone: +49 176 233 157 98
Mail: rgrawe@me.com

Sustainability is dead. The good news is that something better has taken its place: circularity, a design philosophy that builds the end of a product’s lifecycle into the very beginning of its design.

To bring that idea to life, we joined forces last year with the creative minds at Salt Magazine. Together, we explored the world of denim recycling and drew inspiration from both new and traditional forms of design. The result: a unique limited-edition sweater—just 100 pieces—crafted with fibers from old jeans.

And that matters, because in the Netherlands alone, 21 million pairs of jeans are sold every year. A large share eventually ends up in incinerators or landfills—not because denim can’t be reused, but because recycling it is often too complex and expensive due to the mix of materials. With this project, we show that it is possible—if you think smart from the design stage onwards.

For Salt, we offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at our production chain. Their designers took inspiration from the ancient Japanese embroidery art of Sashiko: a craft centered on repairing, reinforcing, and extending a product’s life. A perfect match with the mindset behind circularity.

In this blog, you’ll read all about the recycling process, the creative design journey, and the inspiration behind this special collaboration. You can now order this one-of-a-kind sweater in Salt’s webshop—but once it’s gone, it’s gone!

The Hydro Flask has been an icon among sustainable drinking bottles for years. Known for its robust design, excellent insulation, and fresh colors, the brand has built up a loyal fan base worldwide. Now there’s something new: the Hydro Flask Micro Bottle. And good news for Dutch fans: this small yet striking bottle is now also available here.

Small but mighty

With a capacity of just 200 milliliters, the Micro Bottle is a true mini version of the classic Hydro Flask. Yet it doesn’t compromise on quality: thanks to its double-walled vacuum insulation, a drink stays hot or cold for hours. It’s leakproof, durable, and available in various colors such as Black, Surf, Reef, and Aloe. Its biggest advantage? The size. The bottle literally fits into a jacket pocket, handbag, or lunchbox, making it ideal for on the go.

An American hype

In the United States, the Micro Bottle quickly took off. Media outlets such as Business Insider and The Guardian wrote about a striking countermovement: after years of ever-larger drinking cups—think of the huge tumblers—the trend has suddenly become “small is beautiful.” The Hydro Flask Micro fits perfectly into that development. While large cups are mainly practical, this mini bottle is seen as a stylish accessory. On TikTok and Instagram, photos and videos are popping up showing the bottle alongside keychains, small handbags, and other “tiny accessories.”

The popularity is so big that the bottles in the US often sell out immediately. Some colors even fetched high prices on resale platforms. The Micro Bottle thus became more than just a functional product: it quickly turned into a lifestyle item.

Exclusively available in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the Micro Bottle is now exclusively available at Snowcountry and Bever. This makes it attractive as a stylish and affordable gift, or simply as a handy bottle for short trips, lunch breaks, or a walk through the city. For long hikes or sports days, 200 milliliters is of course on the small side, but as an extra bottle or a “daily companion,” it works perfectly.

Longer days and rising temperatures — the perfect moment to get your outdoor gear ready for a new season full of adventure.
Whether you’re heading out for a hike or a city trip, lightweight shoes are a must-have this summer.

The AKU Omnia V-Light GTX stands out not only for its comfort and performance, but also as a more sustainable choice:

  • Upper made from 50% recycled post-consumer materials — completely leather-free and free from animal-derived components.
  • PFAS-free water-repellent treatment and GORE-TEX lining based on EPE (Expanded Polyethylene).
  • Outsole made with partially recycled rubber and bio-based EVA, assembled using minimal adhesives thanks to innovative co-moulding technology.

Great for your feet — and for the planet.
Now available at AKU dealers near you!

Want to learn more? Visit:
https://www.aku.com/en-eu/pages/omnia-v-light-gtx

We’re proud to announce that we are expanding our portfolio with Smartwool, a true pioneer in merino socks and apparel.
From now on, we represent not only Icebreaker, but also Smartwool for specialized accounts in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

This strategic move strengthens the position of both brands within the VF portfolio and offers consumers high-quality, natural alternatives in a market still dominated by synthetic products.

Dariusz Boniecki, Head of Sales for Icebreaker and Smartwool EMEA, says:
“By combining the strengths of two global leaders in merino and natural fibers, we are building a flexible and responsive business model. Each brand retains its own identity, while we leverage strategic synergies to move together toward a more sustainable future.”

At Ideavelop, we’re excited about this new chapter in our partnership. We remain committed to growth through innovation. Together with our partners, we aim to help even more people experience the benefits of merino wool.

For more information, get in touch with our team or visit our showroom to discover the Smartwool collection.

REV’IT! Sport International launches a brand-new line of five care products this week.
These innovative products for motorcycle apparel and accessories are developed using the award-winning green technology from OrganoTex (OrganoClick AB), inspired by the natural water-repellent properties of the lotus flower.

The product line includes specialized detergents and advanced solutions for water-repellent protection of motorcycle gear. All products are PFAS-free and fully biodegradable, ensuring no harmful impact on nature.

Iain Howe, Global Marketing Director at REV’IT!:
“We’re proud of our partnership with OrganoTex. Their constant innovation, combined with a values-driven approach, aligns perfectly with our brand. At REV’IT!, we aim to exceed the expectations of the most demanding riders with protective motorcycle gear, while working every day on innovations that protect both our planet and our riders.”

The new products will be available through REV’IT!’s extensive dealer network across Europe and North America.
For OrganoTex, this marks not only an exciting entry into the motorcycle industry, but also their debut in the North American market.

We’re proud to have played a role in making this collaboration happen — and we can’t wait to see these products appear in motorcycle specialty stores throughout the Benelux.

More info:
https://news.cision.com/organoclick-ab/r/organotex-initiates-collaboration-with-rev-it–sport-international,c4095493

Hydro Flask takes your favorite bottles to the next level with perfectly matched caps and lids — because it’s the little details that make the biggest difference!

We’re bringing back some of your favorite colors and introducing stunning new shades: Reef, Aloe & Surf, inspired by the sea, the sand, and tropical paradises. 🌴☀️

They’re simply irresistible!
Find out more at: https://www.hydroflask.com/gb/