If you’re passionate about high-performance fabrics, you probably know the name Schoeller. For over 150 years, Schoeller Textil AG (based in Switzerland) has been a pioneer in innovative textiles, earning worldwide recognition for its cutting-edge technical fabrics and early commitment to sustainability. We’ll take a look at Schoeller’s story – illustrating its rich history and groundbreaking products to its culture of innovation and sustainability.
The story of Schoeller Textil began in the 19th century, rooted in the rich tradition of Swiss textile manufacturing. In 1868, Rudolph Schoeller moved to Zurich and established the country’s first worsted yarn spinning mill – originally named Schoeller & Söhne. Over the following decades, the company expanded and modernized, relocating to its current headquarters in Sevelen in 1954 and launching the world’s first elastic ski apparel fabric in 1961 (essentially the first soft-shell material). This legacy of quality and ingenuity carried through generations, setting the stage for Schoeller’s emergence as a global leader in technical textiles.
Innovation is the foundation of Schoeller’s identity, and the company has an unmatched track record of pioneering textile technology. It introduced the world’s first adaptive breathable membrane,c_change®, which reacts dynamically to temperature and moisture changes—expanding for increased breathability when warm and contracting to retain heat in the cold, much like a pinecone responding to the elements. But Schoeller’s innovation extends far beyond membranes; the company revolutionized performance textiles with its double-weave technology, particularly through its renownedDryskinfabric. Schoeller Dryskin was one of the first technical fabrics to merge durability, stretch, and weather protection in a lightweight, highly breathable construction, setting a new standard for softshell garments.
Schoeller has long been an industry trailblazer in sustainable practices and textile innovation. In 1994, it became the first fabric maker in the activewear sector to earn the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification for human-ecological safety. A few years later, Schoeller helped develop the now-global bluesign® system for environmentally friendly textile production. (In fact, Schoeller was the very first company to receive the bluesign® Award in 2008, recognizing its environmental stewardship.) Today, sustainability remains central to Schoeller’s mission: the company continues to pioneer eco-conscious technologies such as PFC-free water-repellent treatments based on renewable raw materials (e.g. ecorepel® Bio,introduced in 2016). It also participates in recycling initiatives to create performance fabrics from post-consumer materials, striving to reduce waste and extend the lifecycle of its textiles.
We are proud to have Schoeller as a partner of Foehn. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability has made a lasting impact on the textile industry and on the performance of the products we make & use every day.
