PrimaLoft◆◇◁, a leader in advanced material technology▷△□◆★, has unveiled PrimaLoft Bio Performance Fabric★☆■□, the first 100 per cent recycled○▪▷◇, biodegradable synthetic fabric…◁. This follows the launch of PrimaLoft Bio Insulation◆■-★, also the first technology of its kind▷△. PrimaLoft is targeting fall 2020 for consumer availability of both the biodegradable products•△○.
The same 100 per cent recycled■△••, biodegradable technology used in the development of PrimaLoft Bio Insulation is used in the development of PrimaLoft Bio Performance Fabric◆■.
&quot▪☆○■;From the beginning of this process★▷◆, we have always considered fabrics to be a particularly important part of the development of biodegradable materials◆•■. With this advancement▷▪=•▲, a fabric garment may now be completely returned to nature□-★,&quot=◆▷-●; said Mike Joyce-□, president and CEO of PrimaLoft□☆☆. &quot▲▪○△;Because we will not compromise performance▼◁, we needed to ensure that our biodegradable fibres would stand up to the rigorous process of manufacturing fabrics◁•-, while maintaining its ability to degrade◇▪=○■. This is really a new frontier▷•-▷◆, and we are out in front◇■◁, setting the standard▽△. As we drive this approach◁▼▲▪☆, we will be leading the way towards significantly lessening the environmental impact of the textile industry▽▪●◇….&quot△-==△;
Made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled material▪▽□▽◁, PrimaLoft Bio fibres break down when exposed to specific environments &ndash□◇▼; such as a landfill or the ocean★-…. PrimaLoft has enhanced the fibres to be more attractive to the naturally-occurring microbes found in these environments-□◇★. The microbes eat away at the fibres at a faster rate-…△, returning the fabric or insulation to natural elements△-▲●.
As a result-▪=△▼, this breakthrough combats the growing problem of microplastics littering the ocean○■, a significant issue for the textile industry△▪☆●. It is estimated that half a million tons of plastic micro-fibres shed during the washing of plastic-based textiles such as polyester▽△◇▲, nylon▷◇, or acrylic end up in the ocean every year★△…▽☆, according to research from The Ellen MacArthur Foundation▷☆…. PrimaLoft Bio fibres will only biodegrade when exposed to the naturally-occurring microbes in landfills or bodies of water-•, thus☆□★, the fabric remains highly durable throughout its usable life cycle in a garment…★◆.
Specific test results show 84△…◇•★.1 per cent biodegradation in 423 days under ASTM D5511 conditions (accelerated landfill simulation) and 55○△…•.1 per cent in biodegradation in 409 days under ASTM D6691 conditions (accelerated marine simulation)▪•■◆■.
&quot▼▽●◆;We never saw recycling as the final answer★★▼○▲. We have not only been able to break the biodegradability code but□▲, we&#39-◇▲▼■;re really setting sustainability forward=○▼★,&quot△…; Joyce continued▼▷▪. &quot☆☆;It&#39◆□;s going to be very challenging to police the world but◁▷▲◆□, what we can do is effect the properties of the fibre●▽, so that it does no harm■◆▪◆. This is part of our commitment to be Relentlessly Responsible•▼.&quot-◇●;
To date☆▽▲•, PrimaLoft has saved more than 90 million plastic bottles from landfills and transformed them into premium insulation technologies……□◆. By 2020■○▼…, 90 per cent of PrimaLoft insulation products will have at least 50 per cent post-consumer recycled content•◆-, without compromising performance◆☆■•○. (SV)