This was a major challenge for Patagonia and Gore-Tex. 10 years after they set out to remove perfluorochemicals from their outerwear, they have succeeded.
While the textile industry has always innovated in terms of product design and technicality, this has not always been in line with environmental and health principles. But it was with these objectives in mind that, almost ten years ago, Patagonia and the Gore-Tex brand have embarked on a seemingly impossible project: to eliminate perfluorinated chemicals, better known as PFCs and PFAs, without compromising the technical performance of outerwear.
PFCs and PFAs are chemical substances that are harmful to humans and the environment. A number of studies have proven this, highlighting the harmfulness of fluorine, which does not dissolve in nature, but is dispersed by the wind and weather conditions. Eventually, fluoride will be found everywhere, in the air, water and even in the food we eat.
It took 10 years of research between Patagonia and Gore-Tex for the two brands to establish a completely new standard for PFC- and PFA-free weatherproof technical shells. It was in this context that they launched the " A beautiful alchemy ".
This is an opportunity to highlight the ePE GORE-TEX membrane, a revolutionary new waterproof and breathable fabric that is as light as it is hard-wearing, and manufactured without PFCs. Patagonia unveiled its very first collection to feature the three-layer ePE GORE-TEX membrane. By 2022, 78% of water-repellent primers designed by Patagonia were PFC-free. The brand wants to go even further, and is aiming for water-repellent primers. 100 PFC-free % in 2024.
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