Record down usage is less than 1% of global total
The European Outdoor Group (EOG) has revealed the results of a survey of the outdoor sector’s use of down.
The work was undertaken in response to requests from members and was done to establish the type, quality and quantity of down used across the manufacture of outdoor products.
Based on the brands who replied to the EOG’s down survey, 1,058 tonnes of down was measured – between 65% and 75% of the down used by European and North American outdoor brands, according to EOG.
This gives a projected outdoor market volume of between 1,410 and 1,630 tonnes of down annually. Although this a record for the industry, it equates to less than 1% of the total global production of down (estimated to be at least 270,000 tons).
Half the down (51%) comes from duck and the rest goose, but while duck down is overwhelmingly sourced from China (90%), goose down has a more even distribution: 49% is from China, 24% is from Hungary, 9% is from the Ukraine while Poland and Romania produce 5% each.
Mark Held, general secretary of the EOG, said: “It is common knowledge that over the last few years there has been a growing focus from NGOs, retailers and consumers on the ethical sourcing of down within our industry. Meanwhile, numerous brands are working hard to ensure that their use of down meets high ethical and environmental standards.
“The fact that our industry’s volume of down use equates to less than 1% of total production suggests one reason why our leverage across the supply chain is limited and requires a combined effort. We are confident that we are following the correct approach in trying to work together as an industry and promote best practices, while encouraging the wider down users and supply chain to get further engaged.
“This research is an important step in achieving our long term aim, which is to help find a way to achieve one single industry standard, that is held by an independent body, is cost effective, and acceptable to both businesses and NGOs.”
The US-based Outdoor Industry Association encouraged north American companies to contribute to the research.
