Vaude claims another PFC-free milestone
06/04/2018
Vaude claims that, when it took the decision to remove all potentially harmful materials from its supply chain ten years ago, it was something of a lone voice. “PFC was the standard technology for water-repellent finishes and also a very convenient and cost-effective solution,” it commented on announcing the new PFC-free milestone.
By 2011 all Vaude waterproof apparel had PFC-free membranes. It then set itself the goal of eliminating the use of PFCs in water-repellent finishes for all products and it set to work with material suppliers and the chemical industry to find alternative solutions.
Vaude says now that its influence, as a mid-sized company, on the supply chain was small, but that when Greenpeace launched its Detox Campaign in 2012, drawing attention to the problem of PFCs persisting in the environment and taking the outdoor industry to task, things began to change. “From that point on, suppliers began to seriously consider PFC-free alternatives,” Vaude said.
The company also conducted its own research to develop testing methods and formulate standards that it shared with its suppliers.
On making the announcement about the spring-summer 2018 collection, it said a stumbling block to total elimination of PFCs has been finding PFC-free alternatives for waterproof zips in high-performance products. However, from summer 2019 Vaude has said it will be one of the first outdoor companies to phase out use of PFCs here as well.
Work to provide PFC-free water-repellency in all its footwear, backpacks and tents, without any compromise on functionality, continues. A goal to make all Vaude products 100% PFC-free by 2020 remains in place.
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