The bio-based Arnitel, made by DSM, originates from various organic waste streams and will not compromise the performance: breathability, water- and windproofness will remain the same and it will also remain fully recyclable at the end of its lifecycle, said Sympatex.

DSM, Sympatex's long-standing raw material partner, is in the process of converting its production facilities to renewable electricity sources, as a result of an ongoing drive to reduce the carbon footprint of its products and operations. This will help Sympatex to reach another milestone on the road to climate neutrality several years earlier than planned.

Sympatex said incorporating its membranes into brands’ collections will help them to fulfil a major climate charter commitment – reducing CO2 emissions by 30% compared to 2015 – much faster. 

Outdoor brand Mammut is using the Sympatex collection in the coming winter season. 

The plan is to fully complete the conversion for all Sympatex membrane deliveries by the end of 2021. 

"While our main focus remains on closing the textile loop by using our industries’ own waste streams, we will also embrace every other technically feasible opportunity to minimise our footprint by then," said Dr Rüdiger Fox, CEO of Sympatex Technologies.

 "Once again, we are seeing that constructive partnerships are moving us forward on the path to consistent sustainability much faster than we might have initially expected - and everyone in the supply chain is benefiting, from raw material partners to brands to end consumers. Above all, such a circular economic system will also help to build a new quality of trust between all partners.”