Outerknown’s faith in ocean plastic reflects rapidly expanding sector
20/11/2020
The Alliance and Plug and Play launched the platform in Silicon Valley, Paris and Singapore in October 2019.
Since then, the programme has attracted over 2,000 start-ups with 32 of them placed on accelerator programmes. More than $3 million dollars have been invested, with 50 commercial pilots under way.
One of the start-ups, Oceanworks, is collaborating with Avient Corporation to launch several post-consumer recycled and post-industrial recycled portfolios under the reSound brand name. The recycled ocean plastics are formulated for textiles, footwear and other applications such garden tools and outdoor goods.
Outerknown, a surfing inspired brand launched by World Surf League Champion Kelly Slater and designer John Moore, has chosen Oceanworks’ plastics for its buttons. It said it had become frustrated with the lack of innovation in the trims industry - buttons, zippers, pulls and other components.
Oceanworks founder Rob Ianelli said: "Our journey as a company began with Outerknown taking a chance with us to test using ocean plastic recycled materials. We have been forever grateful for their leadership to take risks and be an inspirational voice in the world of sustainable fashion."
The plastic is collected from Haiti and Mexico by locals who are paid to clear out the plastic plaguing their neighbourhoods and water supply.
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