After years of experience in the nightwear, underwear and socks industry, Patrick Welp, founder of Vodde, became increasingly interested in sustainable and transparent processes. He realized that there was still much to be gained in the textile industry. Especially when he met a Pakistani manufacturer at a trade fair in Germany who made yarns from cutting waste and thus had the entire process - from raw material to end product - in his own hands. That was music to our ears! Unfortunately, the collaboration failed because Covid broke out at the beginning of 2020 and the Pakistani factory went into lockdown.

Although the world literally closed, a world had opened up for Patrick. He did not want to go back to the old story where he bought and resold socks and lacked transparency in the origin of the raw material. It must and can be done differently!

Patrick was sent a last bit of recycled yarn and through an acquaintance in Southern Europe, Manuel, Patrick purchased knitting machines. But working with these machines is a profession in itself. Manuel, who has been in the knitting business all his life, became enthusiastic about the recycled yarn and wanted to help. He and his colleagues - Marcus, Mario and Paulo, who were also at home due to Covid - came to the Netherlands. They temporarily stayed with Patrick's family opposite the TextielMuseum in Tilburg, where he rented a business premises.

In Southern Europe, Patrick also found a manufacturer that makes recycled material from used textiles. And so it happened: he could now make recycled yarn from collected discarded textiles and use it to knit socks. They continued to develop throughout the lockdown until they were 100% satisfied with the quality and designs. They asked the staff at the TextielMuseum to test the socks for feedback. After weeks of perfecting, the unique Vodde collection was a fact!

Today, Vodde is more than a sock webshop. It is a chain of companies and specialists that make new products from textile waste. Vodde is not just for the consumer. On the contrary, Vodde likes to embark on the circular transition with other brands, companies and entrepreneurs. Because together we go further. For example, Vodde helps brands and companies with circular socks and you can also purchase the unique Vodde yarn to produce circularly yourself.