Textile Insight

IN THE MARKET | ECO UPDATE Dedicated to Greener Goods 10 • Textile Insight ~ January/February 2018 textileinsight.com Fiber Innovations for Synthetics & Down Focus on Sustainability. ears ago, buyers' primary concerns when purchasing down and feather for bedding and outdoor gear were that it was clean and delivered to factories on time. According to Chad Altbaier, VP Downlite Outdoor, "Today there are many additional factors involved in the buying decision such as where and how the down is sourced, a supplier's stand on environmental and sustainability matters, product innovation and cost. We continually need to be proactive and rigor- ously evolve on each of these fronts." To this end, Downlite has developed new down-fill innovations involving natural and recycled materials, which offer the dual benefit of enhancing the performance of the material, while being grounded in its core value of environmental stewardship, according to the Cincinnati- based suppler. Four new products will feature at winter market trade events, along with an update on Downlite's sustainability initiatives. Product developments include GRS certified re/charged down, Repreve-down blend, Wool-Down HALO, and PFC-Free DWR treatment enhancements. Corporate program highlights include an advanced waste water recycling system, that in just a little over a year since installation has recycled 36MM gallons of water – enough water to fill nearly 55 Olympic size swimming pools; a composting initiative with an outside organic recycling company to utilize the large waste feathers that traditionally end up in landfill and, instead, treat them for soil compost; and a relationship with 1% For the Planet wherein one percent of the sales of the GRS certified re/charged down, in addi- tion to one percent of sales of the company's eco-friendly Evolution of Comfort bedding collection from its Home Division will be donated to 1% For the Planet. Other down specialists are following an eco-conscious path. Sustainable Down Source (a division of Down Décor) has also recently announced an initiative that entails replacing its entire DWR down line with a PFC-free water repellent down. The new PFC-Free formula complies with the strict ecological and toxicological requirements as put forth by bluesign criteria. In addition, Sustainable Down Source is RDS-certified. "We have worked tirelessly to source our down responsibly and develop a more evolved technology that ensures our down is not only the highest performing product on the market, but is also the benchmark for environmental sustainability" says Andrew Payne, principal at Sustainable Down Source. Performance Synthetics, Responsibly-Made Hyosung Corporation, a global leader in recycled nylon and polyester, has a dedicated product development team focused on reducing energy and water usage, and waste in fabric manufacturing. The company is also Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certified. Showing for the first time at ISPO, Hyosung will focus on sustainable fiber innovations and a new collection of creora spandex fabrics. A new product launch is MIPAN regen aqua-X, a recycled cooling nylon. Used in combination with creora Color+ it's particularly relevant for running, cycling and aerobics and with creora highclo for swim and triathalon wear. Another new recycled product regen cotna polyester combined with creora Fresh deodorizing spandex is a versatile textile solution for all types of outdoor wear, according to the company. Other sustainable fabrics include creora Black dope dyed spandex with MIPAN Black nylon and creora eco-soft with dope dyed nylon for yoga. Laminate specialist Sympatex reports that it will "embark on the path of sustainability" together with new brand partners in the field of ski, snowboard and freestyle for 2018/19 winter season. Partnerships include Chiemsee, Rossignol, Billabong, DC Shoes, Pyrenex, Tierra and Woods, and will focus on use of the 100 percent recyclable and climate-neutral Sympatex membrane. "At the end of 2016, we started to establish a framework for a constructive dialogue based on partnership with the 'Sympathy Lab' where we can foster our exchange with current or potential customers on the topic of ecology," explains Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO of Sympatex Technologies. "And we can already see initial results: we have a series of new dialogue partners with whom we are currently working to promote the next revolution in the textile industry," adds Fox. "We have found the ideal partner with the worldwide leading mem- brane specialist Sympatex who will support us in terms of ecological textiles on the highest functional level," explains Lutz Mai, brand direc- tor of Chiemsee. Chiemsee will use the environmentally friendly and completely recyclable membrane as of winter 2018/19 in its Defrost clothing line. O Y Embarking on a path of sustainability together with brand partners in the field of ski, snowboard and freestyle. Sympatex Chiemsee Jacket.

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