US-based down and feather processor Downlite, which supplies responsibly sourced performance fills to the outdoor apparel market, has developed a number of new products – including a Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified re/charged down.
Ahead of its launch at the forthcoming 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and ISPO trade show, Downlite says the new down offers “unprecedented” performance levels for 100% recycled down due to its ability to ‘boost’ the down to a higher cluster and resulting fill power. Available in both white and grey colours, it can be combined with Downlite’s performance-enhancing technologies such as its proprietary PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatments and Pur-Down anti-microbial solution.
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Also new is a blend of Repreve (a GRS certified post-consumer recycled fibre made from plastic bottles) and virgin down and/or Downlite’s GRS certified recycled down blends. It offers a sustainable solution with enhanced performance benefits.
Wool-Down Halo is a proprietary blend of nature’s best insulating materials. It uses a traceable wool sourced in the US that has achieved new laundry durability standards. This fibre brings the temperature and humidity control benefits of wool together with the loft, softness, and compressibility of down.
New PFC-Free DWR treatment enhancements offer increased wash durability and performance in PFC-free DWR treated down and down blends.
“Years ago, buyers’ primary concerns when purchasing down and feather for bedding and outdoor gear were that it was clean and delivered to factories on time,” says Chad Altbaier, vice president for Downlite outdoor. “Today there are many additional factors involved in the buying decision such as where and how the down is sourced, a supplier’s stand on environmental and sustainability matters, product innovation and cost. We continually need to be pro-active and rigorously evolve on each of these fronts.”
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By GlobalDataThe company also has a number of sustainability initiatives underway, including an advanced waste water recycling system introduced just over a year ago that dramatically reduces the amount of water needed to cleanse down and feathers to hypo-allergenic levels. To date, the system has recycled 36m gallons of water – enough water to fill nearly 55 Olympic size swimming pools.
Additionally, 1% of the sales of Downlite’s GRS certified re/charged down will be donated to international organisation 1% For the Planet.
Downlite also engages with an outside organic recycling company to compost the large waste feathers that traditionally end up in landfill.
