VirgoCoop

What VirgoCoop does

Virgocoop, formally Virgocoop Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif (SCIC) à forme anonyme, is a French multi-stakeholder cooperative founded in 2018 and headquartered in Cahors, Lot. It operates a vertically integrated natural fiber textile value chain, anchored by a hemp defibering plant in Caylus (Tarn-et-Garonne, operational since 2023 and now at full capacity) and a wholly-owned weaving workshop, Tissages d'Autan, near Castres (Tarn, operational since 2021). It sources hemp from more than 80 farmers in Occitanie and Lacaune wool from approximately 30 sheep breeders in Lozère, and works with French and European spinning mills, finishers, and dyers to produce 100% natural fabrics and finished textile goods.

The cooperative's core products include (1) natural fabrics sold by the linear meter (hemp, linen, GOTS-certified organic cotton, Lacaune wool, Arles Merino wool) priced at approximately €28–€46 per linear meter; (2) finished textile creations such as plaids, scarves, table linens, cushion covers, and travel bags priced at €18–€149; (3) processed hemp fibers and chènevotte (hemp hurd, 55% of processed bale weight) sold B2B to textile converters, construction-sector buyers for insulation, and animal/horticultural bedding suppliers; and (4) advisory services for organizations seeking ecological textile supply chains. GOTS certification for hemp fibers (May 2024) places Virgocoop among only two certified European producers, and a 317 kWc photovoltaic installation connected in August 2025 supplies 70% of the Caylus plant's electricity in pursuit of energy-positive operations.

Virgocoop generates revenue through B2C e-commerce (online boutique launched March 2025), direct workshop retail (Tissages d'Autan, open monthly), B2B sales to a partner network including Saint James, Atelier Tuffery, Baserange, Wildling Shoes, Ubac, Missegle, IFA Création, Marthe Paris, and Veja, and capital formation via cooperative share subscriptions (€100 minimum parts sociales, eligible for an 18% French income tax reduction) and participative titles yielding up to 4% annually. As of late 2024 the cooperative had 360+ sociétaires and had raised €241,200 in its 2024 campaign, with an additional €100,000 sought to improve factory yield and complete renewable energy investments.

Name

VirgoCoop

Legal name

Virgocoop, Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif à forme anonyme

Website

https://virgocoop.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Virgocoop is a French cooperative that processes hemp and wool into natural fabrics and building materials through its own defibering plant and weaving workshop. It serves fashion brands, individual consumers, and construction buyers via direct e-commerce and B2B sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Natural Fiber Textiles

NAICS

Broadwoven Fabric Mills (313210), Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (313110), All Other Textile Product Mills (31499)

SIC

Textile Mill Products (2200), Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Cotton (2211), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Greige Woven Fabric Mills (IMAOABAA)

Keywords

• Natural fiber textiles
• Hemp textile production
• Wool processing textiles
• Cooperative textile manufacturing
• Ecological textile supply chain

Headquarters

HQ city

Cahors

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fabric and textile product sales (B2C & B2B): Sale of natural fiber fabrics (by the meter) and finished creations (clothing accessories, home textiles) to consumers and fashion brands. Products include hemp, wool, linen, and GOTS-certified organic cotton fabrics; finished goods such as scarves, plaids, cushion covers, table linens, and travel bags. Available via the online boutique (virgocoop.fr) and at the Tissages d'Autan workshop.
2. Hemp fiber and chènevotte (B2B): Sale of processed hemp fibers (for textile and technical uses) and chènevotte (hemp hurd, representing 55% of processed hemp bales) to building-sector actors for insulation materials and to animal/horticultural bedding suppliers. Multiple tens of tons per month in demand for fibers.
3. Equity investment (share capital & participatory securities): Virgocoop raises capital through share subscriptions (parts sociales, minimum €100) open to any citizen, and participatory titles (Titres Participatifs) yielding up to 4% annual return. Investment campaigns have raised over €241,000 (€155,600 in participatory titles and €85,600 in share capital as of late 2024). The cooperative seeks an additional €100,000 in a 2024 fundraising.
4. Yarn and thread sales to weavers: Hemp and wool fibers are spun by partner spinning mills and the resulting yarns are sold to weavers and fashion brands. Virgocoop also supplies yarn blends (hemp with wool, cotton) to its network of professional textile customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VirgoCoop is a vertically integrated textile cooperative that produces 100% natural fiber fabrics (hemp, wool, linen, GOTS-certified organic cotton) and finished textile creations (plaids, scarves, table linens, cushion covers, travel bags). The cooperative also sells raw hemp fibers and chènevotte (hemp hurd) to the textile, construction, and bedding industries, and provides advisory services for organizations developing ecological textile supply chains. Operations span from agricultural cultivation with 80+ Occitanie farmers and 30 Lacaune sheep breeders through defibering, spinning, weaving (Tissages d'Autan), and finished product confection.

Product overview

Virgocoop is a Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif (SCIC) that operates as a vertically integrated textile cooperative specializing in 100% natural fibers. The company's product portfolio centers on two main categories: (1) Natural Fabrics (Tissus Naturels) – woven textiles produced at the Tissages d'Autan workshop from hemp, linen, organic cotton, Lacaune wool, and Arles Merino wool, sold by the meter to professionals and consumers; and (2) Virgocoop Créations – finished textile products including plaids, scarves, table linens, cushion covers, and travel bags made entirely in France. Additionally, Virgocoop supplies raw materials including hemp fibers (Chanvre) from its defibering plant in Caylus and chènevotte (hemp hurds) for construction insulation and animal bedding. The cooperative also offers advisory services (Accompagnement) for organizations seeking to develop ecological textile supply chains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tissages d'Autan: Weaving workshop created by Virgocoop and partners in 2021, specialized in 100% natural fabrics using hemp, wool, linen and organic cotton. Located near Castres.

Products and services

• VirgoCoop Natural Fabrics (Tissus Naturels) 100% natural textiles woven at VirgoCoop's Tissages d'Autan workshop from hemp, linen, GOTS-certified organic cotton, Lacaune wool, and Arles Merino wool, sold by the meter to consumers and fashion brands. Examples include Coutoulaine Lacaune (€46/m), Lanacana 21 (€44/m), Métis 3B (€39/m), Métis 4 (€28/m), Coutou 4B (€31/m). Minimum purchase 1 linear meter.
• VirgoCoop Créations (Finished Textile Products) Finished textile products made entirely in France from 100% natural French fibers. Range includes Plaid – tissage nid d'abeille (€150), Écharpe Lacaune (€48), Écharpe Mérinos (€50), Serviette de table (€18), Nappe (€80), Housse de Coussin (€35), and Sac de voyage (€99–€149).
• Chanvre Fiber (Hemp Fiber) High-quality processed hemp fibers produced at VirgoCoop's defibering plant in Caylus, sourced from over 80 farmers in Occitanie (predominantly organic). Sold for textile and technical applications to fashion brands and weavers. GOTS-certified organic hemp.
• Chènevotte (Hemp Hurds) The inner woody core of hemp stalks, representing 55% of processed hemp bales. Sold as ecological insulation material for construction (hemp-lime concrete, insulation panels — e.g., Groupe scolaire de Castelsarrasin project) and as animal/horticultural bedding.
• Textile Sector Advisory Services (Accompagnement) Advisory and support services for businesses, brands, and communities seeking to develop ecological and ethical textile supply chains using natural fibers. Includes custom textile development, product ranges for companies and local authorities, corporate gifts, and merchandise programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 317 kWc photovoltaic installation provides 70% of the defibering plant's electricity consumption, targeting energy cost savings of €23,000/year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fermes de FigeaccoreTechnology or IntegrationFermes de Figeac installed a 317 kWc photovoltaic installation on the roof of Virgocoop's hemp defibering plant in Caylus (Tarn-et-Garonne). Connected in August 2025, the solar installation provides 70% of the factory's electricity consumption. This partnership is central to Virgocoop's energy transition strategy and its goal of becoming energy-positive.
• EnercoopcoreTechnology or IntegrationEnercoop, a cooperative and citizen energy supplier, provides renewable electricity to Virgocoop's weaving workshop (Tissages d'Autan) since 2021 and supplements the defibering plant's solar-generated electricity when needed. Enercoop Midi-Pyrénées supplies the Occitanie operations. This partnership reflects Virgocoop's commitment to 100% renewable energy across all operations.
• CoophubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoophub is the investment platform through which citizens can become Virgocoop sociétaires and subscribe to share capital (parts sociales). Virgocoop discovered new sociétaires via Coophub (e.g., Lionel Ains, a Coophub user who became sociétaire because he was already an Enercoop sociétaire). The platform enables broad-based democratic investment in the cooperative.
• Atelier TufferycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtelier Tuffery, a historical French denim manufacturer based in Florac, co-founded the Tissages d'Autan weaving workshop with Virgocoop in 2021 alongside Eric Carlier. Atelier Tuffery is a partner sociétaire brand that purchases Virgocoop hemp and wool fabrics for its garment production and represents the cooperative within the ethical fashion ecosystem.
• MisseglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtelier Missegle (Burlats, Tarn) is a partner sociétaire brand specializing in natural fiber knitwear (socks, sweaters, accessories) since 1983. Labeled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) since 2016, Missegle has produced pieces using Virgocoop hemp fiber and shares the cooperative's ecological and ethical values. Missegle employs 55 people and is a reference point for artisanal textile quality in France.
• BaserangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaserange (founded 2012, France/Denmark) is a partner sociétaire minimalist fashion brand creating modern garments from natural and recycled materials. Baserange hosted Virgocoop's first pop-up boutique in Toulouse (November–December 2024) and uses Virgocoop natural fiber fabrics for its collections, exemplifying cross-brand collaboration within the ethical textile ecosystem.
• Le Sac du BergerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLe Sac du Berger is a partner sociétaire artisanal workshop specializing in saddle leather and fulled wool (drap de laine foulonnée) products, including bags and outerwear. Based in the region, the atelier sources locally within a 120 km radius and embodies the same artisanal textile values as Virgocoop.
• OEuvres SensiblesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Sarah Espeute, OEuvres Sensibles transforms home linens into works of art through hand embroidery, made in Marseille from responsibly sourced fabrics. Partner sociétaire brand that exemplifies artisanal, poetic, and ethical textile production aligned with Virgocoop's values.
• Laines PaysannesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaines Paysannes is a partner cooperative creating Pyrenees wool clothing, accessories, and home textiles with full traceability from sheep to finished product. Based in Ariège, it operates as a cooperative connecting shepherds, shearers, and artisans — sharing the same cooperative and ecological textile model as Virgocoop.
• PyloowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPyloow is a partner eco-responsible interior decoration brand created by Marelha (Pyrenees textile development bureau). Products are made to order in a Pyrenees workshop from locally sourced natural materials (Pyrenees wool). Both brands share a commitment to local sourcing, natural materials, and eco-responsibility.
• Laurence GlorieuxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Maison Laurence Glorieux creates timeless garments and accessories (dresses, signature pieces, pouches) from custom to small series, with personalized artisanal finishing. Partner sociétaire brand committed to local, responsible, and artisanal fashion production.
• VEJAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVEJA (founded 2005) creates sneakers using organic and agroecological Brazilian and Peruvian cotton, Amazonian rubber, and recycled polyester. Partner sociétaire brand recognized for its social and environmental commitments. Virgocoop's association with VEJA reinforces its positioning within the ethical fashion movement.
• Héloïse Levieux (HL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHéloïse Levieux is a partner sociétaire creating responsible decoration textiles (cushions, home accessories) using natural French fibers — wool, linen, and hemp. Her work explicitly supports the rebirth of the French hemp textile industry, and she participates in Virgocoop's ecosystem as both fabric buyer and cooperative member.
• 80+ hemp farmers in OccitaniecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirgocoop partners with more than 80 farmers in Occitanie who cultivate hemp for textile and technical uses. The hemp is predominantly from organic agriculture. This farmer network forms the agricultural foundation of Virgocoop's supply chain and the relocalization of French hemp textile production.
• 30+ Lacaune sheep breeders in LozèrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirgocoop works with approximately 30 sheep breeders in Lozère (Causses Méjean and Sauveterre) to collect Lacaune wool — a material previously treated as waste by farmers who had to pay for shearing. Virgocoop pays for the wool and collection, relaunching the local wool value chain. A target of 50 tonnes of wool collection was set for 2025.
• Quercy ContactcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQuercy Contact is an ESUS-labeled insertion enterprise (atelier de confection) that manufactures finished textile goods (travel bags, table linens) using Virgocoop fabrics. Located in Cahors, it is a partner sociétaire and member of the Board of Directors of Virgocoop. Its ESUS status reflects strong social and solidarity economy credentials.
• ADEME OccitanieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADEME (Agence de la transition écologique) visited Virgocoop's hemp transformation site in Caylus (2025) to discuss optimization of processes and potential financial support from state agencies. ADEME represents the public environmental transition agency whose expertise and funding are relevant to Virgocoop's development.
• Eric CarliercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEric Carlier co-founded the Tissages d'Autan weaving workshop alongside Virgocoop and Atelier Tuffery in 2021. A key individual partner contributing expertise and investment to the creation of the cooperative's weaving facility near Castres.
• European and French spinning millscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVirgocoop collaborates with spinning mills across France and Europe to transform its raw hemp and wool fibers into yarns. These spinning partners are integral to the cooperative's textile value chain, enabling the production of certified yarns (including GOTS-certified organic hemp yarns) that feed into Virgocoop's weaving operations and are sold to third-party weavers.
• UBACminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBAC is a partner sociétaire brand producing shoes and accessories using Virgocoop hemp textiles. UBAC focuses on eco-responsible footwear with a commitment to traceability and natural materials.
• IFA (IFA Création)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFA is a partner sociétaire brand creating hemp clothing in collaboration with artists, made in France. Uses Virgocoop hemp fabrics as a key material input, demonstrating the versatility of Virgocoop's textile output.
• Marthe ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarthe Paris is a partner sociétaire fashion brand creating garments from Virgocoop natural fiber textiles, participating in the cooperative's ecosystem of ethical fashion brands.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• VEJA: A French sustainable sneaker brand (founded 2005) using organic cotton, Amazonian rubber, and recycled materials, with a strong social and environmental mission. Partner sociétaire of Virgocoop. Comparable as a broader sustainable consumer brand in the French ethical-fashion ecosystem with much wider scale.
• Saint James: A historic French clothing manufacturer (founded 1889, Normandy) famous for nautical striped shirts and woolens, now also working with natural fibers. Customer of Virgocoop. Comparable as a heritage French textile/garment brand with natural fiber sourcing and premium positioning, though at much greater scale.

Direct peers

• Baserange: A French/Danish minimalist fashion brand producing garments from natural and recycled materials. Partner sociétaire of Virgocoop using its fabrics for collections and hosting its first pop-up boutique in Toulouse. Comparable as a sustainable fashion brand sourcing natural fibers from French/European producers.
• Wildling Shoes: A German sustainable footwear brand producing minimalist shoes from natural materials including hemp. Customer of Virgocoop. Comparable as a European sustainable consumer brand using natural fiber inputs in fashion-adjacent product categories.
• Missegle: An EPV-labelled French knitwear manufacturer based in Burlats (Tarn) producing socks, sweaters, and accessories from natural fibers including hemp, with 55 employees. Partner sociétaire of Virgocoop. Comparable as a French artisanal textile company committed to local production and natural fibers in Occitanie.
• Laines Paysannes: A French wool cooperative based in Ariège (Pyrénées) producing wool clothing, accessories, and home textiles with full traceability from sheep to finished product. Directly comparable as a regional French cooperative using the same cooperative model and natural wool sourcing in Occitanie/Pyrénées.
• Ubac: A French eco-responsible footwear brand producing shoes and accessories using hemp textiles, with a focus on traceability and natural materials. Partner sociétaire of Virgocoop. Comparable as a French sustainable consumer brand in the same ethical-fashion ecosystem using hemp inputs.
• Atelier Tuffery: A historical French denim manufacturer based in Florac (Lozère), producing jeans and garments from natural fibers including Virgocoop hemp. Co-founder of the Tissages d'Autan weaving workshop and partner sociétaire. Comparable as a heritage French textile producer working with natural fibers in the same region.
• HempAge: A German hemp textile company producing sustainable hemp fabrics and finished goods for the European fashion market. Directly comparable as a European hemp textile producer with similar sustainable positioning and focus on natural fiber apparel applications.

Emerging players

• Ecological Textiles: A Dutch sustainable textile supplier offering a wide range of organic and eco-friendly fabrics (cotton, linen, hemp, wool) to designers and brands across Europe. Comparable as a European sustainable fabric supplier with similar focus on certified natural fibers, though broader in fiber mix and less vertically integrated.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/virgocoop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virgocoop
• Instagraminstagram.com/virgocoop

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VirgoCoop