Patagonia, in Partnership with Yulex, Launches a Plant-based Wetsuit that is 30% Stretchier, Drys Instantly and has Excellent Thermal Value
VENTURA, Calif. and PHOENIX, ARIZONA (November 16, 2012) —
Patagonia Inc., a leading designer of core outdoor, surf and
sport-related apparel, equipment, footwear and accessories, and Yulex
Corporation, a clean technology company developing agricultural-based
biomaterials for medical, consumer, industrial and bioenergy products,
announced today the introduction of a guayule-based wetsuit, a renewable
biorubber that is the first alternative to traditional fossil-based
neoprene.
“When we started to build wetsuits we knew that
neoprene, by nature of its production, was the most environmentally
harmful part the product. Our initial approach was to use innovative
materials, like wool, that are highly insulating and allowed us to use
as little neoprene as possible. But we quickly realized that we needed
to create a new material that could be a true alternative to neoprene,”
notes Jason McCaffrey,
Patagonia’s surf director. “After four years of
working together, Patagonia and Yulex have co-developed a unique
material that allows us to make a wetsuit that is 60% guayule (plant)
based. Our goal is to have the formula be 100% plant based, but we feel
that for now this new material is a big enough step forward to let the
world know it is possible to buy something cleaner. This is just the
first step; it’s our hope that other brands see this as interesting and
join the effort to innovate and implement alternatives to traditional
neoprene that is used in wetsuits.”
Yulex’s biorubber material is made from guayule, a
renewable, non-food crop that requires very little water, is grown
domestically in the US, uses no pesticides, and in comparison to
traditional neoprene, has a very clean manufacturing process.
Initially, the new suits will be available in Japan
only. In Spring 2013, surfers will be able to order custom suits out of
Patagonia’s wetsuit facility in Ventura, CA, with a global rollout to
follow.
“Yulex commends Patagonia for supporting the
advancement of a sustainable, low-carbon future by embracing
agricultural-based, biomaterials to replace petroleum-based synthetics,”
said Jeff Martin, CEO, president and founder of Yulex Corporation.
“Patagonia is guiding the action sports industry to a new level and
setting an example for the importance of sustainable practices. Yulex
views this partnership as a major step towards a future where use of our
renewable, guayule-based biomaterials is the industry standard for
consumer, medical, industrial and bioenergy products.”
About Patagonia
Patagonia, Inc., based in Ventura, California, is a leading designer of core outdoor, surf and sport-related apparel, equipment, footwear and accessories. With sales last year of $540M, the company is noted internationally for its commitment to authentic product quality and environmental activism, contributing over $47.5M in cash and in-kind donations to date. Incorporating environmental responsibility into product development, the company has, since 1996, used only organically grown cotton in its clothing line. Committed to making its products landfill-free, the company’s entire product line is recyclable thorough its Common Threads Initiative. The company also advocates corporate transparency through its interactive website, The Footprint Chronicles, which outlines the environmental and social footprint of individual products. Patagonia was featured as The Coolest Company on the Planet on Fortune Magazine’s April 2007 cover.
Patagonia, Inc., based in Ventura, California, is a leading designer of core outdoor, surf and sport-related apparel, equipment, footwear and accessories. With sales last year of $540M, the company is noted internationally for its commitment to authentic product quality and environmental activism, contributing over $47.5M in cash and in-kind donations to date. Incorporating environmental responsibility into product development, the company has, since 1996, used only organically grown cotton in its clothing line. Committed to making its products landfill-free, the company’s entire product line is recyclable thorough its Common Threads Initiative. The company also advocates corporate transparency through its interactive website, The Footprint Chronicles, which outlines the environmental and social footprint of individual products. Patagonia was featured as The Coolest Company on the Planet on Fortune Magazine’s April 2007 cover.
About Yulex Corporation
Yulex Corporation has developed a portfolio of biomaterials derived from the U.S. grown guayule plant. The company’s technological innovation is designed to replace traditional tropical or petroleum based rubber for consumer, industrial and medical markets, with the residual agricultural materials utilized as a feedstock for bioenergy. Yulex collaborates with customers to develop and market highly differentiated, premium performance products in an ecologically responsible, sustainable manner. For more, visit http://www.yulex.com.
Yulex Corporation has developed a portfolio of biomaterials derived from the U.S. grown guayule plant. The company’s technological innovation is designed to replace traditional tropical or petroleum based rubber for consumer, industrial and medical markets, with the residual agricultural materials utilized as a feedstock for bioenergy. Yulex collaborates with customers to develop and market highly differentiated, premium performance products in an ecologically responsible, sustainable manner. For more, visit http://www.yulex.com.
Contacts
Jen Rapp, Patagonia, 805.667.4768, jen_rapp(AT)patagonia.com
Melanie Venter, Yulex Corporation, 858.344.4419, melanie(AT)venterpr.com
Jen Rapp, Patagonia, 805.667.4768, jen_rapp(AT)patagonia.com
Melanie Venter, Yulex Corporation, 858.344.4419, melanie(AT)venterpr.com
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire