Since 2013.

Youstex is our only partner. We believe in a long-term relationship in which we work intensively together and therefore work with one permanent partner.

At Yousstex, the fabric of our jeans is cut, sewn, washed, marked and packaged.

Just like MUD Jeans, Yousstex attaches great importance to environmental sustainability and good working conditions. The company uses innovative production techniques that allow us to produce the most sustainable jeans on the planet. Moreover, as a small clothing manufacturer with 550 employees, Yousstex takes good care of its staff.

The factory regularly undergoes audits and controls relating to environmental issues, social conditions and employment conditions, carried out on behalf of renowned international organisations, international customers and national authorities.
Some examples:

· The non-profit multi-stakeholder initiative Social Labor Convergence Program (SLCP);

· Annual audits for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 28001;

· HIGG Index (developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to assess and measure the environmental and social sustainability performance of clothing);

· IWAY audits for the responsible purchasing of products and services by IKEA;

· Various Tunisian authorities, such as the police and quarterly visits by ANPE (L'Agence Nationale de Protection de l'Environnement), Tunisia's national environmental agency.

Furthermore, at Mud Jeans we have an intensive relationship with Yousstex and we visit the factory several times a year.

We do not use traditional toxic production techniques.

Traditionally, pumice stones are used in the washing process of jeans to achieve a lived-in look, which create a toxic sludge and are unhealthy for employees.  Yousstex uses ozone and handmade circular HMS stones that last much longer and give a similar look.

These stones remove indigo from the jeans in an innovative and sustainable way, while achieving the vintage look we are looking for.

Yousstex also does not use harmful chemicals in the washing process of our jeans, such as PP spray (Potassium permanganate spray). Yousstex's most important sustainable and innovative production techniques are Ozone, Laser and E-flow (see explanation below).

The Yousstex closed water system works as follows:
First, the water used to produce our jeans undergoes a biological treatment with bacteria and various minerals, followed by ultrafiltration with MBR technology (Membrane Bioreactor)
Finally, a reverse osmosis process is applied, resulting in crystal clear water without minerals.
Rainwater is integrated into the system via open tanks located outside.
Up to 95 percent of the water Yousstex uses to make our jeans is recycled. Five to ten percent of the water evaporates or turns into sludge and is replenished with tap water.

No. Yousstex has never dug wells or extracted water from the ground.

Yes. We drank the water ourselves several times for demonstration purposes. The reverse osmosis removes all particles - including minerals - so it does not quench your thirst.

All employees receive three weeks of paid leave annually and receive free medication if necessary. Transport to and from the factory is also arranged free of charge for all employees. With 400 women working in the factory, Yousstex is a place of female empowerment. This is also evident from Yousstex's trade union representatives, who are 70% women.
Yousstex applies equal pay for men and women – distinction is based solely on positions in the factory. Many leadership positions are held by employees who started in entry-level positions and developed over time. Veder, in collaboration with an educational center, has set up Yousstex training courses within the factory for employees aged 16 to 20, so that they can work and study under one roof.

In 2013. MUD Jeans then indicated that if Yousstex sets up a laundry, it should be a hypermodern and sustainable laundry.

When Yousstex bought the factory in the late 1990s, it was already a working textile factory. In 2013, Yousstex decided to expand the factory with a laundry on the existing factory site. Yousstex operated in accordance with the permits and always worked closely with local authorities to ensure compliance.

Until 2021, there have been several lawsuits, all of which Yousstex has won. Since 2021, Yousstex has had the final permit for Yousstex Wash.

No, never.

No public protests ever took place. There have been a number of lawsuits, all of which Yousstex has won. Contact with local residents is generally smooth and is characterized by mutual respect.

No, there were only a few lawsuits up to the time of the final permit in 2021, all of which Yousstex won.

No. With some exceptions, the factory is not in operation after 4:30 p.m. The Ministry of Health carries out tests on noise, air quality, temperature and humidity and includes annual inspections of working conditions in accordance with legal regulations. Reports are drawn up and the conclusions and recommendations are taken up by Yousstex.

No. Vrij Nederland has not asked MUD Jeans for a response before publication despite repeated assurances about this.