Laminates from WL Gore and Bionic boost Costa Rica ocean plastic project
Materials science company WL Gore has announced new Gore-Tex laminates containing material produced by New York-based Bionic using plastic waste recovered from coastal environments.
A couple of new two-layer Gore-Tex laminates have emerged from the project; they combine Gore’s new ePE membrane and recycled polyester from Bionic. The Bionic polyester comes from 50% plastic waste collected from coastal communities and 50% from municipal collection.
In parallel, WL Gore is investing in a plastic recovery and sorting facility that Bionic has set up in Cóbano, Costa Rica.
Patagonia will be the first brand to use the new laminates in garments in its autumn-winter collection next year. Other brand customers will begin using the new Gore-Tex products after that.
Global product director for men’s outdoor apparel at Patagonia, Mark Little, said : “This innovative project represents what the future can and should look like for high-performance outdoor protection.”
