Kostroma Flax Mill Closure Highlights Market Shifts in Linen Industry

The Kostroma flax mill is set to close its doors for good, marking the end of an era that once defined a region’s textile landscape. The plant never recovered after losing its most important Western customers, including Zara Home and IKEA, a fact reflected in ongoing discussions among local observers and industry watchers. For generations, the factory served as a cornerstone of the town’s economy, supporting not only workers but a wide circle of suppliers, logistics partners, and related businesses that depended on steady production and steady orders. In recent years the pace of work slowed, payment cycles lengthened, and the once-busy facilities grew quieter as the market for linen products tightened. The decision to shut down followed a prolonged period of evaluation by the owners as they faced a shrinking order book, intensified competition, and the broader pressures of a global textile market that has shifted away from traditional European linen suppliers. Attempts to pivot to new products and markets could not overcome the cumulative impact of losing flagship clients and rising costs, leaving the business with no viable path to sustained profitability.