At the Heart of Ruukki Spinning Mill - Our Ten Pillars of Operation

1. Expertise

Our operations are based on strong expertise and a desire to increase the appreciation of natural fibers, especially alpaca wool. Our know-how is based on over 30 years of experience with alpacas and international, scientific research related to alpacas. Alpaca farming, the processing of alpaca fiber, and running a mini-mill have made us comprehensive experts in our field.

Our mini-mill operations began in 2012 and continued until the autumn of 2023, when we sold the mill equipment. Educational institutions and many entrepreneurs in the field still seek our advice. Our expertise is reflected in the quality of our products and customer service. Our main goal is a satisfied user of our products.

2. Transparency

In the summer of 2024, Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection underwent an external, independent third-party responsibility assessment by Infine Oy. The responsibility assessment is updated annually. Our entire production chain is traceable back to the primary producers. Materials supplied to us from outside the EU have Fairtrade, USDA Organic, and RAS certifications. We have accredited our EU-based operators ourselves according to our quality requirements.

We stand behind our operations and products and keep our promises. We do our work with full heart and believe that authenticity and openness create authenticity and openness, and both are values that the modern world needs.

3. Ecological Aspect

Alpaca wool is never mass-produced. Alpacas living in the high mountain plains of the Andes need little water and food. They graze on renewable natural meadows, and do not deplete the soil; on the contrary, they support biodiversity.

We strive for as natural a process and outcome as possible, without unnecessary chemical treatment (cf., for example, superwash treatment of merino wool). We select color shades that are available in their natural form for our collection. Some of the yarns are dyed to match the natural shades of alpaca using Reach and GOTS certified methods. Our products have a maintenance, repair, and recycling service. Alpaca fiber is 100% biodegradable.

We design products to withstand time, wear, and changing trends. Our collection's knitwear is assembled from pre-knitted pieces to minimize cutting waste. If necessary, a knitted garment can be unraveled back into yarn. The Royal quality alpaca fiber we use is rare, and therefore it is important that no waste is generated. Very fine alpaca fiber allows for the production of thin and uniform yarn. This is why Ruukin Kehräämö's knitwear is exceptionally long-lasting. The knitwear remains neat and shapely even with repeated use.

Alpaca wool is hypoallergenic. It repels dirt and does not absorb odors. It also does not contain lanolin, or wool grease. For these reasons, among others, alpaca wool knitwear needs to be washed only very rarely. This reduces water consumption and the environmental impact of the product.

4. Ethics

Animal welfare is important to us, and we have chosen farms as partners whose operating principles comply with our requirements. Ruukin Kehräämö only uses high-quality and ethically produced, RAS-marked (Responsible Alpaca Standard) alpaca wool.

Through our operations, we also support indigenous alpaca farmers in Peru by encouraging them in critical breeding work. For alpaca fiber that meets our quality requirements (Royal Alpaca < 18 µm), they receive better compensation than, for example, for Baby Alpaca (> 22 µm) or Superfine Alpaca (> 24 µm). We are also involved in the Queshua Benefit organization. Alpacas play an important role in breaking the cycle of poverty in South America.

5. Quality

Glued-on slogans, exaggeration, and empty promises are not our style. The best and most genuine proof of the quality of our products is a satisfied customer who returns to shop again. Many of our customers have stated that after experiencing the quality of our products firsthand, they no longer want to wear anything other than Ruukin Kehräämö's alpaca wool clothing.

The shift away from disposable fashion requires more than just timeless design. It is only possible if the garment remains neat during use. Therefore, premium quality material is key for us. Ruukin Kehräämö's alpaca knitwear made from Royal quality fiber does not pill. It remains neat even with repeated use, and with small maintenance measures, it will become a trusted companion for years to come.

We work with long-term, reliable partners. Yarns are supplied to us by the Peruvian Michell Group, which has extensive experience in producing and processing top-quality alpaca fiber. Our small Lithuanian cooperative tailoring shop has solid professional skills, and the quality of their work meets our high standards.

Ruukin Kehräämö is the only Finnish company that the International Alpaca Association (IAA) has awarded the prestigious Golden Alpaca mark. This recognition, guaranteeing top quality, has been granted to only three clothing brands in Europe.

6. Timelessness

Responsible design plays a significant role in producing responsible clothing. Ruukin Kehräämö's products are designed to be timeless in style and durable. Since Royal Alpaca is a material that withstands time and wear, the product's design must also support this principle.

Our products are highly versatile, with an earthy and timeless color palette. The designs have been carefully considered to suit many different body types and personalities, for men and women. We do not have seasonal collections, but rather one classic clothing collection that is periodically updated.

We believe that timeless style is the most ecological of styles. A Ruukin Kehräämö garment is very likely to become its wearer's favorite garment, and a favorite garment must withstand scrutiny, time, and wear.

7. Softness

In addition to embodying soft values in our operations, softness is also one of the most significant characteristics of our products.

The superior softness of Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection products is due to the long and smooth fiber structure. Royal quality alpaca fiber does not have the clearly scaly surface typical of other wool fibers. The knitwear feels luxuriously soft against the skin, and the softness only increases with use.

The superiority of Royal Alpaca fiber as a clothing material is noticed at the latest when you try it yourself. Once you have experienced its softness and warmth on your skin, you probably won't want to wear any other clothes. Our goal is to make clothes that are so comfortable and versatile that you wear them day in and day out, year after year. When our knitwear becomes your favorite garment, we know we have succeeded.

8. Luxury

Thanks to the fiber's good thermoregulatory properties, Alpaca Royal collection knitwear does not need to be thick, allowing for a pleasantly thin and beautifully draped design. The knitwear feels luxuriously soft against the skin, a true everyday luxury.

Alpacas are bred to produce the thinnest and most uniform wool possible. The Royal Alpaca fiber used in Ruukin Kehräämö's garments is rare, as only 10% of alpacas produce such fine wool. Therefore, every piece of knitwear in the Alpaca Royal collection is truly a rare collector's item.

Ruukin Kehräämö's knitwear is designed with warmth and expertise in Mathildedal, just for you. Each of our knits is a carefully finished unique product. You can see and feel this in the end result.

9. Effortlessness

The densely crimped structure of the Royal Alpaca fiber used in Ruukin Kehräämö's garments makes the yarn flexible and lightweight. Thanks to the elastic yarn, the knitwear maintains its shape well. Creases and stretching can be easily smoothed out by steaming.

Ruukin Kehräämö's Alpaca Royal collection garments are carefree to wear and easy to maintain. Our premium alpaca wool naturally repels dirt, moisture, and odors, and the best way to care for the garment is simply to air it regularly. Stains should be removed locally, and if the garment requires a more comprehensive wash, it can be hand-washed or machine-washed on a hand-wash cycle.

Alpaca Royal collection knitwear rarely requires washing and stays neat year after year. If your favorite knit gets damaged, our repair service will fix it. If the alpaca knit you bought from us has served you for so long that it is no longer repairable, it will get a new life through our recycling service.

10. Uniqueness

You won't find anyone like us anywhere in the world. Besides us, only one other company in the entire world sells alpaca knitwear made from 100% Royal quality fiber. Our collection is unparalleled in Finland and Europe. So, we are not exaggerating when we say that our products are unique. Our Alpaca Royal collection is anything but an ordinary knitwear collection. It has to be experienced.