L. Gore & Associates, a technology-driven company, has announced its environmental and chemical management goals for 2020 as part of Gore Fabrics Division’s long-term sustainability programme.
The company will eliminate PFCs of environmental concern from its consumer laminate shipments by the end of 2020. It also intends to remove PFCs of environmental concern from the remaining consumer fabrics laminate shipments between 2021 and 2023. To achieve these goals, will undertake a substantial innovation program which will include collaborating with suppliers to eliminate PFCs that are present in the processing aides Gore Fabrics’ suppliers use to manufacture PTFE.
Additionally, it is pursuing multiple technical solutions such as the development of fluorinated and non-fluorinated solutions. The first products with a DWR treatment free of PFCs are targeted for availability at retail in the Autumn/Winter 2018-19 season.
Bernhard Kiehl, Sustainability Leader, Gore Fabrics, “The clear distinction between PFCs of Environmental Concern and PTFE will help overcome a long-standing ambiguity of how to differentiate materials that are safe from those that raise concerns. In addition to providing clearly defined guardrails for the outdoor industry, a rigorous and precise definition clears the way for Gore and its customers to deliver more sustainable technology innovations.”
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Currently, almost 90 per cent of consumer garment laminates are certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. The company is projecting to have 100 per cent of consumer garment laminates achieve OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification by 2020. Also, 70 per cent of consumer garment laminate volume is currently bluesign® approved, with Gore now targeting 85 per cent of its consumer garments volume to be bluesign® approved by 2020.
“With our new chemical management goals, we are initiating an impressive technology development program that will have a substantial impact due to our unique position in the value chain. We are excited about the opportunity to drive meaningful change in the outdoor industry,” concludes Kiehl.