PrimaLoft Inc. has introduced a proprietary manufacturing technique called PrimaLoft P.U.R.E. that significantly reduces carbon emissions.
P.U.R.E.–Produced Using Reduced Emissions–is the latest development in the company’s “Relentlessly Responsible” commitment to make more sustainable products without compromising its reputation for cutting-edge performance technologies and products.
“As experts in advanced material technologies, PrimaLoft’s commitment to responsibility drives our developments beyond the product level,” PrimaLoft president and CEO Mike Joyce said. “Over the past four years, we have been working toward manufacturing solutions that will drastically reduce carbon emissions.”
The initial insulation product being produced with P.U.R.E. manufacturing technology uses 100 percent post-consumer recycled material and has the same insulating and performance benefits of existing PrimaLoft Gold Insulation. The company said converting the yearly production of PrimaLoft Gold Insulation to P.U.R.E. manufacturing results in a 48 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions equaling 348,111 pounds of CO2.
Traditional insulation manufacturing requires that fibers are thermally bonded by moving through a slow, high-heat oven, the company explained. As part of PrimaLoft’s Relentlessly Responsible mission, the company completed a comprehensive environmental assessment of its manufacturing and determined that removing the need for thermal ovens would drastically reduce carbon emissions.
“Once we identified the ovens as a key opportunity to reduce emissions, we set out to find a creative solution,” Joyce said. “Our engineers have developed and perfected a manufacturing technology that uses air instead of heat to cure and stabilize the insulation.”
For Fall 2020, Patagonia will be the first brand partner to incorporate PrimaLoft P.U.R.E. manufacturing technology. P.U.R.E. manufacturing follows last year’s introduction of PrimaLoft Bio, a biodegradable, 100 percent recycled synthetic insulation and fabric. PrimaLoft Bio will be available in apparel from brands such as Houdini and Norrona beginning in Fall 2020.
PrimaLoft is based in Latham, N.Y., with offices in Munich, Germany, and Xiamen, China. The PrimaLoft insulation brand is used by global outdoor and fashion brands, home furnishings, work wear, hunting and military applications. The company is active in sustainable textile production through partnerships with the Bluesign system, the International Oeko-Tex Association, the Higg Index and the Global Recycled Standard.