Many of our favourite products – from jackets to bedding to wipes – are made from materials that can shed microfibers. No matter how high quality the product, this can occur during washing, normal wear-and-tear and eventual end of life. These products and microfibers often end up polluting environments like our waterways, oceans and landfills.
Products made with PrimaLoft® Bio™ fibers have been specifically developed to shape the future of fiber.
Thanks to its optimised formula, PrimaLoft® Bio™ enables polyester to biodegrade* under specific conditions such as ocean water or landfill environments, as tested under ASTM standards.
*Biodegradable: 93.8% biodegradation in 646 days under ASTM D5511 conditions (landfill environment); 88.5% biodegradation in 2313 days under ASTM D6691 conditions (marine/ocean environment). 85.5% biodegradation in 1213 days under ASTM D5210 conditions (wastewater environment); 88.1% biodegradation in 973 days under ASTM D5988 conditions (Soil environment). The stated rate and extent of degradation does not mean that the product will continue to degrade.
Performance
PrimaLoft® Bio™ brings a new approach without compromising our industry-leading performance and comfort throughout the life cycle of the garment. This innovation lies within the makeup of the fibers.
PrimaLoft® Bio™ represents a holistic solution for every step of a product’s continued journey.
Appetizing fibers.
PrimaLoft® Bio™ fibers break down at a highly-accelerated rate in landfills, oceans and wastewater because we’ve optimized them to be more appetizing to the naturally-occurring microbes in these specific environments.
Left behind.
These microbes enable synthetic insulation and fabric to return to materials found in nature, leaving behind components like water, CO2, methane, biomass and humus – a common, natural component of potting soil.
And neither does nature. PrimaLoft® Bio™ has been tested on 40 fibers and fabrics in more than 200 independent tests, and we continuously update the test results as new information becomes available. You will always find our latest result right here.
YES! PrimaLoft® Bio™ is already available globally, both virgin and recycled, through a controlled supply chain. There is full capacity and delivery guarantee.
Before initiating full production, a sample is sent to 3rd party lab for an accelerated test that measures the initial behavior of the fiber. After the QC test for up to 90 days, we can verify that the technology works, and the staple fibers are approved.
Several well-known outdoor brands have implemented PrimaLoft® Bio™ in fabrics and insulation, including Jack Wolfskin, Maloja, Katmandu, 4F and Icebug.
Yes, it can be added to any polyester application, including wadding, filtration, automotive, acoustics, medical, and hygiene products.
No, it only biodegrades in environments with naturally occurring microbes, such as landfills, oceans, and wastewater. PrimaLoft® Bio™ comes in normal bales and has a normal shelf life with no need for special care or treatment during storage and transportation.
Yes, we are already commercial with BICO (low melting fibers), solid, and hollow fibers – and have no capacity issues.
No, PrimaLoft® Bio™ has the same characteristics and performance as regular PET fibers with the same output and same whiteness, and it blends well with natural fibers.
No. The fibers do not biodegrade during usage or storage. Biodegradation occurs only when fibers enter environments with active microbes, such as landfills or oceans.
Polyester is a polymer, and therefore the end product could be considered as a “plastic”. This means that different measures from Single-Use Plastic Directive can be applied to your product.
Yes, it supports chemical recycling with up to 95% yield, as documented in independent tests.
Polyester is a complex molecule that naturally occuring microbes have a hard time digesting, why standard polyester does not biodegrade. PrimaLoft® Bio™ optimizes the polyester or fabric fiber with a simple sugar, making the fibers easier and more pleasant for microbes to digest. Essentially, we make your fiber a Boston Cream Donut for microbes.
