We aim to be honest and transparent with our customers about our manufacturing processes. Since the final product is only as good as its parts, we spend a considerable amount of time researching the materials and processes that go into the items we make. 

Rappu (jap. ラップ meaning "to wrap") is a product that is functional but doesn't compromise on aesthetics. Every Rappu is a unique handmade piece of special quality that is designed to last. We have a sustainable vision for our company and seek to minimize waste. Rappu's design makes it possible to have very little fabric clippings. 

We also know that we're still at the beginning of this process and that there's room for improvement in terms of utilizing 100% eco friendly materials. At this point we haven't found green replacements for certain parts that certify the quality and durability of our product. But we will keep our eye out for better alternatives that match our standards to make our products more sustainable.

What Rappu is made of

Tencel

The inner material is soft, smooth to the touch and luxurious in shine and is made from Tencel. It is a heavy woven fabric with a visible structure. Tencel is derived from renewable wood sources in a sustainable closed loop process. The fabric is also lint-free which is an important factor especially when wrapping cameras or other technical equipment.

We offer Rappu with different types of leather for its outer fabric:

Rhubarb Tanned Leather

Eco-friendly leather made in Germany, which is tanned from the root of the rhubarb plant. Rhubarb leather impresses with its very special feel. The grip is pleasantly soft, the scent is extraordinary and you can see very well that the gentle tanning process and the rhubarb ingredients perfectly preserve the unique structure of each skin. In addition to the haptic properties, rhubarb leather also meets market and customer requirements with regard to technical and health-related parameters. 

AppleSkin

AppleSkin is an innovative and sustainable hybrid material made in Italy. It integrates organic apple peels into the skin of the material, which makes it a vegan and cruelty-free alternative to animal leather. Using renewable sources, it makes it possible to use less plastic, therefore making it a better choice for customers who want to create a lower impact on the environment.

Our AppleSkin base material consists of 40% processed apple waste, mainly from the apple juice industry. The apple waste is dried and ground to a very fine powder, which is then mixed with 60% PU (polyurethane) and applied to a tear-resistant roll of cotton fabric. These rolls are then heated to create a weather-resistant, long-lasting fabric.

Piñatex

Piñatex^® is an innovative natural textile made from the leaves of the pineapple plant, the byproduct of the fruit industry, which are traditionally discarded or burned. The raw material is completely cradle to cradle and requires no additional environmental resources to produce. Adding value to this waste has created a new source of income for farming communities who otherwise rely on a seasonal harvest. The use of pineapple leaf fibre provides the opportunity to build a scalable commercial industry for developing farming industries, with minimal environmental impact. Once the fibre has been stripped from the leaf the leftover biomass can be retained to use as a natural fertilizer or bio-fuel, offering a further environmental prospect.

Who helped us create Rappu 

Our pattern for Rappu was designed by Illustrator Steffi Bauer and printed environmentally friendly in a European textile printing factory that carries the GOTS certificate.