LATHAM, N.Y. — January 28, 2019 — PrimaLoft Inc., a global supplier of advanced material technology, today announced its partnership with five iconic outdoor brands to introduce PrimaLoft® Bio™, the first 100-percent recycled, biodegradable synthetic apparel Insulation and Performance Fabric. In tandem with Helly Hansen, Houdini, L.L.Bean, Norrøna and Vaude, apparel featuring PrimaLoft Bio will first debut at retail in fall 2020, with some brands debuting styles in the following seasons. Brand partner concept styles will be on display at PrimaLoft booth #56004-UL at Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver, January 30-February 1, 2019.
“We’ve collaborated with a community of brands that share our common sustainability values and goals,” said PrimaLoft President and CEO Mike Joyce. “It is a privilege to introduce PrimaLoft Bio with these respected companies — all of whom provided invaluable insight and feedback on this technology. Together, we are establishing a new industry standard for environmentally conscious product design, sustainability best practices and transparency, to meet consumer demand.”
Made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled material, PrimaLoft Bio fibers break down when exposed to specific environments — such as a landfill or the ocean. PrimaLoft has enhanced the fibers to be more attractive to the naturally-occurring microbes found in these environments so that they eat away at the fibers at a faster rate, returning the fabric or insulation to natural elements. Fibers will only biodegrade when exposed to these naturally-occurring microbes in landfills or bodies of water, thus, the insulation or fabric remains highly durable throughout its usable life cycle in a garment.
“PrimaLoft and our brand partners are committed to extending the life of garments through recycling, repurposing and reuse,” said Joyce. “This is not a promotion of discarding garments prematurely or without serious regard. Rather, this is about providing a Relentlessly Responsible solution for the inevitable end-life of a garment when the time eventually comes.”
Helly Hansen, a leader in performance ski and sailing apparel and premium workwear, will launch products with PrimaLoft Bio in North America and Europe.
“Helly Hansen designs performance products keeping consumers protected and comfortable, especially in harsh and unpredictable conditions,” said Philip Tavell, category managing director, Ski/Mountain at Helly Hansen. “We’ve partnered with PrimaLoft for many years to introduce high-performing apparel for skiing, sailing and outdoor adventure, including the recent introduction of our lighter, warmer LifaLoft™ performance insulation. PrimaLoft Bio enables us to continue pushing our sustainability efforts forward, without sacrificing the performance we’ve come to expect from their best in class technologies. It’s a win-win for consumers and the outdoors.”
PrimaLoft and L.L.Bean, a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel, have teamed up to debut multiple PrimaLoft® technologies, dating back to the 1980’s.
“L.L.Bean and PrimaLoft have worked together since 1989, when we introduced our Mountain Light Jacket, the first PrimaLoft-insulated garment, and outfitted 30 international climbers for the Everest Peace Climb,” said Tom Armstrong, chief merchandising officer at L.L.Bean. “Today, PrimaLoft is an established leader in sustainability stewardship and material innovation that is changing the tide in the outdoor industry. From its Cross Core insulation that uses NASA aerogel to PrimaLoft Bio, PrimaLoft enables us to push the envelope for consumer comfort and answer the growing demand for brand accountability, while supporting our mission of helping more people experience the outdoors.”
Norrøna, a Norwegian outdoor company that continuously pushes the boundaries of functional product design to offer premium quality gear for any adventure, counts sustainability as an essential foundation throughout their entire value chain.
“At Norrøna, sustainability and protecting the environment are top priorities, and we consider these efforts to be the most important work that we do,” said Jørgen Jørgensen, owner and CEO, Norrøna. “We are happy to see that PrimaLoft also recognizes the importance of addressing and prioritizing these issues. As a partner for many years, we at Norrøna are excited to be a part of this launch.”
To date, PrimaLoft has saved 95 million plastic bottles from landfills and transformed them into premium insulation technologies. By 2020, 90 percent of PrimaLoft® insulation products will have at least 50-percent post-consumer recycled content, without compromising performance; this includes the introduction of three 100-percent PCR insulation products, this past year. PrimaLoft expects to continue to push the industry forward with a similar commitment to biodegradable technology across its product portfolio.
*Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions
**Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum
Posted January 29, 2019
Source: PrimaLoft
