His family has been knitting socks and stockings for generations. Bernhard Linder came to Hungary at the time of the regime change and continued this tradition. Until the early 2000s, the textiles from Nagykáta sold in large quantities. However, after the EU accession in 2004, which allowed the free movement of goods, the company’s textile activities ceased and new directions were sought. Bernhard, the head of the company, saw the future in hemp.
The opportunities offered by hemp motivated the company, as the plant’s antibacterial properties and its pleasant wear as a natural material made it particularly promising for the textile industry. Even without experience, he saw potential in growing hemp and decided to revitalise the industry in Hungary. In the early 2010s, they succeeded in establishing hemp plantations and have been steadily increasing production ever since.
They have been working with the German company HempAge since 2011-2012 and their hemp socks are now available in 24 countries. Production is growing by 100% year on year and demand is constantly increasing. According to Bernhard, the cost of hemp fibre can now be competitive with organic cotton, and demand for HempAge’s products regularly exceeds the available supply.
The success of Max-Lindner Ltd. and the revitalization of the hemp industry is not only significant for the company, but also gives new direction and hope to the Hungarian textile industry. Thanks to Bernhard’s work, Hungary is back on the map of hemp processing and the company’s role in the international market is gaining attention. The growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions and the development of innovative textile technologies are making hemp cultivation and processing increasingly attractive. Changing industry trends and customer preferences also contribute to the company’s ability to continue to expand its capacity, develop its products and explore new opportunities in hemp-based products. The company’s history and growth are examples of how traditional industries can adapt and innovate in a changing economic and market environment.
