Xtep unveils 100% PLA windbreaker
09/06/2022
The company did not go into much detail about the jacket, which is not yet available online, but did disclose to local media that it had triumphed over various technical difficulties to gradually increase the PLA content of products including t-shirts and jackets over the past three years.
Founder, chairman and chief executive of Xtep, Ding Shui Po, also revealed that a new line, Xtep Bio, is set to launch this coming November. The collection’s key differentiator will be the use of palm oil-based products in place of petroleum-derived materials, he stated, but did not provide specifics.
However, Mr Ding did go on to say that his firm is presently working in tandem with China National Textile and Apparel Council’s office for social responsibility to measure the carbon footprint of two Xtep-branded t-shirts, in particular. Results will be announced at the end of this year, he said.
Next steps for the brand, according to reports from within China, include continuing its work to integrate Lenzing’s wood-based cellulosic fibre Tencel in blends to improve the comfort and biodegradability of products. It will additionally launch articles made using regenerated fibres, organic cotton and fluorine-free finishes "in the near future".
Beyond its namesake brand, Xtep’s portfolio also includes K-Swiss and Palladium, as well as the rights to develop, market and distribute Merrell outdoor gear and Saucony running shoes and apparel in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, as part of a joint venture it entered into with US footwear group Wolverine Worldwide in 2019.
Image: Xtep.
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