Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (source: TASR - Dano Veselský)
A new €20 million contract for police and firefighter polo shirts in Slovakia comes with an unusual specification: alongside cotton and elastane, the fabric must contain fibres made from coffee bean shells.
The Interior Ministry insists this will improve quality. However, in the textile industry, the requirement has raised more questions than answers, reports Slovak daily Denník N reports.
Manufacturers say the material is rare and difficult to source, and some had never heard of it until it appeared in the tender documents. While other EU countries, including neighbouring Czechia, rely on standard cotton-polyester blends for police uniforms, Slovakia’s government is demanding something far more niche.
Critics argue this is not about innovation but about favouring pre-selected suppliers. The contract is part of a wider €70 million spending spree under Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, who has launched major procurement drives for police, firefighters, and forestry workers. Some suspect the latest tenders are tailored to benefit specific firms.
The Interior Ministry is overseeing procurement projects worth nearly €70 million for uniforms and clothing for police officers, firefighters, and forestry workers:
Police and firefighter outerwear: Estimated at €21.5 million, with only one bidder, Gemor Fashion, offering €27.3 million.
T-shirts and polo shirts: Valued at €20.8 million, including the controversial requirement for coffee bean shell fibres (only long-sleeved polo shirts for police officers). Bids are open until March 21.
Work uniforms for police, firefighters, and forestry workers: Worth €24.3 million, covering trousers, jackets, and overalls. The tender was launched in August 2024, and bids were due to be opened in October 2024, but the results remain undisclosed after five months.
