Vaude and Pontetorto to fight microplastic problem with biodegradable fleece
10/11/2017
With the name Biopile, Vaude and Pontetorto have said the fabric will release no dangerous microplastics and will therefore protect rivers, lakes, seas and the creatures that live in them from suffering any harm from plastic pollution.
The inner, brushed side of the fabric is made not from polyester (as with conventional fleece), but from Lenzing’s cellulosic fibre Tencel, and Tencel is biodegradable, even in sea water. Should the fabric release even the smallest volume of Tencel particles from its brushed side during the washing process, these will decompose in any environment in around 90 days. The polyester that is used on the smooth outer surface is made from 100% recycled polyester.
Biopile’s commercial launch will be exclusively in Vaude garments in the autumn-winter 2018-2019 collection. These products will be part of a wider range that Vaude is calling its Green Shape Core collection, which will also use bio-based nylon, insulation materials made from renewable kapok fibres. The Green Shape Core collection will go on show at ISPO in Munich (January 28-31, 2018).
At the introduction of Biopile at Performance Days, Vaude chief executive, Antje von Dewitz, commented: “We are very proud to be the first brand to utilise a biodegradable fleece fabric. Plastic pollution is a global problem with disastrous effects on marine life. Together with our textile industry partners we want to tackle the problem. In the years to come, we will intensify our research and development efforts to avoid the release of microplastics into the environment.
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