A natural product that delivers value: for the environment, customers and for Kalle

The sponge cloth was originally produced on the basis of an old Swedish patent. Having recognised its potential, Kalle developed the product as a separate business segment. Today, the company supplies one third of the global market and is constantly developing new applications.

Sponge cloths are derived from the same expertise in natural fibres and polymers that underpins Kalle sausage casings. Like fibrous casings in particular, Kalle sponge cloths are made exclusively from renewable, natural materials. In this case, the same wood-derived cellulose is combined with cotton fibres. The resulting cloths have three key properties: absorbency, durability and sustainability. They are also easy to dispose of at the end of their useful life, being fully compostable and biodegradable.

Global market leader thanks to innovative product development

Kalle introduced the first ever sponge cloth in 1955. By continuously developing its product portfolio the company meets one third of global demand. Kalle produces around 10 million square meters of sponge cloth every year. That corresponds to 270 million individual cloths – enough to cover 1,400 football pitches.

Everywhere, yet unseen

Almost everyone in the world has held a Kalle sponge cloth at one time – usually without even knowing it. Because Kalle hardly sells sponge cloths under its own brand name, but supplies them to other distributors who apply their respective branding. Nevertheless, Kalle sponge cloths are easily identifiable by the distinctive diamond pattern on one side.

New applications, new product variants

Kalle draws on the unique characteristics of the sponge cloth to explore new applications and develop special variants to access new markets. Long gone are the days when the Kalle sponge cloth was used solely for household cleaning. In medicine, it is used to apply stimulation currents to human tissue; in interior design, it is valued as a sound-absorbent material; and in refrigerated counters it helps with evaporation.