Ventura, Calif.-based outdoor apparel retailer Patagonia Inc. has made a strategic investment in Denver-based CO2Nexus Inc.’s TERSUS® textile and garment processing system, which uses liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of water to clean, disinfect and coat textiles.
The investment was made through Patagonia’s $20 Million & Change fund, which it launched in 2013 to help innovative startup companies implement solutions to the environmental crisis through business.
According to Patagonia, the Tersus system has minimal environmental impact compared to traditional solvent- or water-based textile processing methods, which use large amounts of energy and water. The system offers 20- to 30-minute cycle times, and does not require the use of a separate dryer. In addition, over the course of repeated washings, Tersus provides outdoor and other apparel items with benefits including down loft enhancement; water repellency; and color, size and fit consistency.
“Quite simply, processing textiles and apparel requires huge amounts of energy and water — and both are in crisis,” said Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario. “CO2Nexus is a great fit for $20 Million & Change — it’s a young company using business and innovation to bring about positive benefits to the environment. Patagonia is proud to invest in their success.”
April 22, 2014