The Freitag brothers. From truck tarps to 100% biodegradable fabric, thinking in cycles since 1993

Photos of the Freitag universe

Processing the raw material to make the 100 per cent biodegradable material F-ABRIC, launched by Freitag in 2011, in a cooperative in Normandy, France © Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

Processing the raw material to make the 100 per cent biodegradable material F-ABRIC, launched by Freitag in 2011, in a cooperative in Normandy, France © Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

The sewers that make F-ABRIC clothing in Poland. Spot the Freitag brothers © Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

F-ABRIC is 100 per cent biodegradable © Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

The parts of recycled tarp that can be used must be selected and cut by hand © Joël Tettamanti/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

Creating Freitag bags © Joël Tettamanti/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

Layers of dirt accumulated on the tarps over the years are cleaned by giant washing machines and rainwater collected at the Nœrd F-actory © Joël Tettamanti/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

The Lassie, Dragnet, Top Cat and Dexter messenger bags © Peter Würmli/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

Creating Freitag bags © Roland Tännler/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

The parts of recycled tarp that can be used must be selected and cut by hand © Roland Tännler/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

Each Freitag bag is unique as it's made from a different piece of truck tarp © Roland Tännler/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

At Freitag's Nœrd F-actory in Zurich. A team of five people sources each truck tarp individually © Roland Tännler/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

Layers of dirt accumulated on the tarps over the years are cleaned by giant washing machines and rainwater collected at the Nœrd F-actory © Joël Tettamanti/Freitag

Photos of the Freitag universe

The Freitag flagship store in Zurich. Built a decade ago using 19 20-year-old containers, it's 26 metres high © Roland Tännler/Freitag