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The complete (100%!) fabric material of ECOHEMP cables consists of a braid of special hemp fibers. This natural raw material has been used for the production of fabrics for thousands of years and that is why we also rely on this sustainable alternative to the otherwise customary textile jacketing.

In doing so, we have observed the strictest standards: Our textile jacket has been granted the prestigious GOTS certificate (Global Organic Textile Standard) *(TRANSACTION CERTIFICATE NUMBER ICEA TC GOTS 2022 80775 3179). This means that environmental requirements as well as social standards are met along the entire production chain and that only organically produced natural fibers are used.

Some decisive factors for the optimal use of instrument cables in a musician's daily routine are, of course, a high degree of flexibility and good windability. To ensure that this requirement is also met as regards the fabric jacket, the machines used are operated in the so-called "low-speed process" mode during braiding, i.e. particularly slowly, so that an exceptionally elastic and resilient braid is produced.

Cables generally available on the market have always had a similar basic principle: A conductor made of copper, enclosed in a jacket made of PVC. But what is often not taken into account: Due to some additives, a problem-free recycling of PVC is not possible! 

With our ECOCORD line, we rely on a completely new jacket material that dispenses completely with PVC! Sustainable and, most notably, at least of the same high quality as anything that has been used before.

Our alternative to PVC is called TPE-V. The so-called TPEs (thermoplastic elastomers) combine a rubber-like and a thermoplastic component. The rubber-like properties provide, for example, elasticity, softness and flexibility, the thermoplastic materials stand for recyclability, hardness and high service temperatures. TPEs are not chemical but purely physical cross-links, which can be reversed in a recycling process by high heating. The waste materials, which are thus separated from one another again, can then be reprocessed individually. This represents a major advantage over PVC in the recycling process, because PVC waste is, on the one hand, not (or only in a very difficult process) degradable and, on the other, harmful chemicals are released into the environment in the respective disposal processes.

In addition to that...

• ...The material is recyclable. 
• ...Energy consumption during production is significantly lower than for conventional PVC materials. 
• ...TPE-V is 25% lighter than PVC.
• ...All of the production takes place in Europe to keep supply chains short.
• ...For every cable sold, a tree will be planted by the non-profit organization Trees for the Future. 
• ...The textile jacket of the Eco Hemp series is GOTS certified. 
• ...Even the packaging is made of recycled gray cardboard (FSC® mix).

But, of course, when it comes to sound, our ECOCORD cables also provide everything that musicians and sound engineers expect from a high-quality Cordial product. Similar to the EDITION-25 and BLACKLIGHT-EDITION series, a double shielding of copper wire braiding and conductive plastic (minimizes microphony effects) and a conductor cross-section of 0.50 mm² (conductor resistance < 39 Ω/km) ensure a particularly clear signal transmission.

On 23 May 2023, the instrument cable ECOHEMP was awarded the German Innovation Award 2023 in Gold at the Futurium in Berlin. In the "Excellence in Business to Consumer - Entertainment Electronics" category, the jury of experts decided on the PVC-free instrument cable in a fabric sheath made of hemp. For Cordial, this is a great motivation for further steps towards the most sustainable products in the ECOCORD line, to come. 

More information can be found here

During the ECOHEMP development process, it was beyond dispute that the new hemp fabric jacket must be able to withstand all the constant stresses and strains that musicians are typically confronted with. Therefore, we commissioned the renowned, independent inspection authority DTNW Öffentliche Prüfstelle GmbH in Krefeld to test various textile jacket materials - including the ECOHEMP hemp fabric jacket - under various typical scenarios.

Various checks were carried out in the test laboratory resulting in an excellent assessment in every particular and the granting of the required test certificate for the ECOHEMP jacket material.

More information on the respective test procedures can be found here

*By the way, in the picture the white sample is the hemp textile coat - the matching brown/green shade was added at a later date.