Textile Insight

textileinsight.com 12 • Textile Insight ~ July/August 2017 temming from its ongoing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, Gore Fabrics Division will expand its use of textile solution dyeing and increase its offering of recycled face-fabric textiles in the Gore-Tex portfolio for Fall/Winter 2017. According to the company, these initiatives will help Gore to improve the environmental footprint of its products throughout their full life cycle. For example, by expanding its share of solution-dyed textiles, Gore will reduce water usage and decrease CO2 emissions. The company reports that compared to con- ventional dyeing solution dyeing saves up to 60 percent in water usage and offers a significant reduction in CO2 emissions — polyester up to 58 percent reduced CO2 eq. emissions and polyamide up to 45 percent reduced CO2 eq. emissions. Thomas Kiebler, who oversees textile development for consumer garments in Gore Fabrics' Division, said: "This technology not only helps us to reduce our environmental footprint, it also offers a performance benefit of superior color-fastness to light. With this improved color-fastness, consumers will enjoy the brilliance of colors for a longer time. And, as we know from our LCA studies, using a durable outer- wear product for a long time is the best thing you can do if you wish to reduce its impact on the environment." Having pioneered a solution-dyed Gore- Tex collection last year with Berghaus, Gore will introduce a program in F/W18 with Arc'teryx based on specially developed solution-dyed product designed for mountain professionals who are exposed to sunlight in high alpine environments on a regular basis. Additionally, Gore will increase its offering of recycled face-fabric textiles in its product portfolio in an effort to reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or in incineration, the company reports. Gore's recycled nylon is currently sourced from pre- consumer waste while its recycled polyester source is post consumer PET bottles. "When customers need our help to assist in achiev- ing their sustainability textiles goals, we will be able to deliver the appropriate product," Kiebler said. Haglöfs, Norrøna and Patagonia are using a range of Gore laminates paired with recycled nylons and polyesters in different Gore-Tex product classes for Fall/Winter 2017. O IN THE MARKET | ECO UPDATE Gore Initiatives Improve Environmental Footprint A Round-Up of the Latest Industry Sustainability Developments. VAUDE'S S/S18 COLLECTION WILL FEATURE A 100 PERCENT RECYCLED AND CLIMATE-NEUTRAL SYMPATEX membrane as well as a 100 percent recycled Sympatex lining. This "next generation of the "green functional shoe" previewed at OutDoor in Friedrichshafen in June. The partnership includes the entire range of the Vaude shoes – from casual trekking shoes and robust hiking boots to bike shoes for both women and men. This is the first time the 100 percent recycled Sympatex membrane will be used for the new collection. It is free of PTFE and PFC, consists of polyether-esther not harmful to health or ecology, is certified pursuant to Oeko- Tex Standard 100 and is bluesign-approved. The fluorocarbon-free, durable water repellent (DWR) coating was developed by Sympatex in cooperation with its partner Rudolf. Vaude also relies on the certified Terracare leather from Germany, different recycling topics and for the first time an organic-based TPU material for the toe and heel cap that replaces traditional TPU and contributes to the aim of reduced use of petroleum. "With our S/S18 collection, we have made a first huge step to become the most sustainable provider of functional outdoor and bike shoes," explained Oliver Korden, head of the shoes department at Vaude. O "When customers need our help to assist in achieving their sustainability textiles goals, we will be able to deliver the appropriate product." Thomas Kiebler, Gore Fabrics Division Sympatex Advances Eco Components for Footwear Footwear in Vaude's Spring 2018 line features Sympatex.

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