Textile Insight

textileinsight.com Summer 2024 ~ Textile Insight • 29 into cost of goods sold for end of life. By adding it in on your own, you have control over how and when to implement the additional cost." Secondly, Hamlin urges brands to dig into what's actually happening at end-of-life with cut waste, cancelled fabrics, obsolete inventory and takeback programs. "It is really important to get a clear picture of where your pain points are before trying to solve them," Looptworks has a cost neutral program for solving for excess textiles to help bridge the gap on circular initiatives, when there is no established budget for end of life. PATAGONIA is Spring, Patagonia announced a circular solution for wetsuits. Yulex (natural rubber) wetsuits from any brand can now be broken down at the molecular level by Bolder Industries and used as carbon black in the dyeing process of future Patagonia wetsuits. Bolder Industries provides circular solutions for rubber, plastic, and petrochemical supply chains by converting end-of-life tires into sustainable carbon black. Patagonia first partnered with Yulex in 2008 to develop a bio-based rubber, which comes from the Hevea tree, instead of crude oil or limestone. In 2020, Patagonia built Wetsuit Forge, an on-site wetsuit research, development and repair center. At the facility, zippers are removed from suits that are shipped to Bolder Industries, where carbon black is extracted from the wetsuits and other rubber scraps (car tires). e reclaimed material then goes to Patagonia's manufacturer, Sheico, where the new wetsuits are manufactured. BolderBlack Patagonia wetsuits are set to go on sale in 2025. "We hope that this breakthrough in recycling and circularity will go well beyond the surf industry and be implemented across countless product sectors," said Hub Hubbard, surf product line manager for Patagonia. While brands have offered wetsuit collections for recycling, they are only broken down mechanically into yoga mats and playground material. Mackenzie Warner, Patagonia Material Developer, noted that "carbon black from Yulex wetsuits can become a component in black fabrics and trims to make packs and jackets. We are excited to find new ways to use this innovative new material and share it with industry." n Working at Patagonia Wetsuit Forge Surfing in a Patagonia wetsuit "We hope that this breakthrough in recycling and circularity will go well beyond the surf industry and be implemented across countless product sectors." HUB HUBBARD Surf Product Line Manager, Patagonia

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