United by Blue uses bison fibres to create its innovative insulation
13/11/2018
What is interesting about this particular jacket is that it features insulation that contains a mix of recycled polyester and bison fibre. United by Blue refers to this proprietary insulation as B100.
It is made from the hollow hairs that make up the shaggy coat of the American bison. The brand intercepts this material from the Canadian ranching industry, working with ranchers in Alberta to shear the hides they process and collect the fibre. Shearing takes place before the hides are sent to the tannery to be turned into leather. This material would have otherwise been wasted.
The coarse fibres are separated from the soft down at a facility in Maine, with a number of different separation phases taking place. The material United by Blue uses in its insulation is mostly made up of the coarse fibres, with a small proportion of the softer down retained.
It hit upon the idea of using bison fibre in insulation while using the downy part of bison coats in a range of socks. Realising the untapped potential of this material, it began exploring how the coarser fibres on the hide could also be used. It found that these fibres offered the qualities required from an insulation product.
Once the bison fibre is collected, it is sent to a facility in Texas where it is mixed with recycled polyester to create the insulation. The company has said its B100 blend is 50% bison fibre, 30% recycled polyester and 20% low-melt polyester, which serves as the bonding agent that gives the insulation the structure it needs to withstand everyday wear and tear.
The Bison Puffer Jacket (pictured), which was recognised at Outdoor Retailer, was released at the end of October. Available for both men and women, the product also features a waterproof two-layer shell fabric and a range of features designed for optimal use in the outdoors. The brand has created a vest with the same characteristics.
United by Blue also announced at the start of November that it has completed a Series A financing round, led by Emil Capital Partners. It said it intends to use the capital to support ongoing innovation in its supply chain and new product development.
Image credit: United by Blue.
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