Haglöfs and Polartec throw Standard Issue Black open to industry
Haglöfs and Polartec have introduced Standard Issue Black, a pre-dyed black standard designed to simplify sourcing and reduce the environmental footprint associated with fabric dyeing and color development.
During a joint material review, the companies identified more than 20 visually similar black variations in active use within Polartec’s bestselling original technical fleece series. Each requires its own dye process, production volumes and resources.
The partners said: “Black is the most used color in outdoor apparel, yet it’s rarely the same shade from one fabric to another. Across the industry, countless versions of black are developed and dyed separately, creating unnecessary complexity and impact.”
Standard Issue Black reduces water use in production by over 50% and saves a minimum of 20% energy usage compared with traditional piece-dyed black fabrics, the claimed.
They have created a collection called Black Capsule, made using Polartec leftover fabrics in black variations.
Ramesh Kesh, business manager at Polartec, said: “Standard Issue Black is intentionally open to the entire industry. Our aim is to contribute to a broader shift towards shared standards in how colour is developed and produced.”
