Performance Materials

70% of the SS22 collections are made with recycled materials (40% in 2021)

There are trade offs involved with recycled synthetics. Their processing creates environmental impact and they release microfibres, in the same way virgin does.

“Our approach is that of Scandinavian pragmatism. Instead of diving in headfirst for an easy sound bite, we strive to best serve our customers and be respectful to our planet at the same time. We often don’t pick fabrics that are 100% recycled, maybe they’re 80% recycled as keeping some virgin fibres in there is going to increase the durability and lifetime of the product.”

- Guðbjörg Jakobsdóttir, Apparel Designer

Nearly 50% of the material for our collections is sourced from Polartec and Gore-Tex and we follow their lead on industry best practice in synthetic performance fabrics. Both companies are actively investing in innovation to reduce the impact of their materials.

All of our recycled materials meet the Global Recycling Standard from Textile Exchange.

Forever Chemicals

We take our responsibility for the environment and human health seriously and are following the lead of our partners Gore-Tex and Polartec in the removal of harmful PFAS (perand polyfluoralkyl substances) in our clothing.

All of the performance fabrics we source from Gore-Tex and Polartec are OEKO-TEX® and Bluesign® approved and we are privileged to be sharing our partners’ journey in this important area as one of their selected suppliers.

A challenging factor is our procurement process as it typical to buy performance fabrics 1 to 2 years in advance. Despite this, many of our products are already PFA-free and those that are not, are in planned phase out.

Why are PFAs called “Forever Chemicals”?

Because of how PFAS are constructed—using a chain of carbon and fluorine atoms, which is one of the strongest chemical bonds possible—they do not break down in the natural environment, thus earning the nickname.

Polartec

Over the company’s 30 year history, Polartec has established itself as the world’s foremost innovator of performance fabrics engineered for all conditions. The brand’s dedication to environmentally sustainable products continues to push the market forward.

From inventing the process of turning post-consumer plastic into performance fabrics and leading the use of recycled content across all categories––to innovating products with non-PFAS DWR treatments and leading the way in circularity––sustainable science is the innovation force behind the brand, keeping them ahead of the curve in legislation.

In 2021 Polartec announced the elimination of PFAS in its DWR (durable water repellent) treatments across its line of performance fabrics. Their in-house engineered non-PFAS treatment, offers zero loss of durability or water repellency, is the latest in Polartec’s growing EcoEngineering™ initiative.

In 2022 they launched a proprietary solution constructed from all non-PFAS polymers and plant-based building blocks that do not compete with human food sources. At the center of Polartec Power Shield’s revolutionary functionality is a major advancement in membrane technology. The highly durable monolithic membrane is a barrier specifically engineered to be impermeable to outside weather, while transporting moisture vapor from skin-to-surface via molecular diffusion.

“It is our commitment to reduce reliance on petroleum while producing a membrane that offers greater water-resistance performance than we’ve ever brought to market,” said Polartec President, Steve Layton