16/05/2014

Downlite and Nikwax Partner to Bring Nikwax Hydrophobic Down to Outdoor Market

Therm-a-Rest® Launches the New Eco-Friendly, Water-Repellent Down in its Spring ’15 Sleeping Bags

 Mason, OH (May 15,2014) –Downlite, a major down and feather processor and supplier of performance fills, has teamed up with Nikwax, a global leader in environmentally friendly weatherproofing solutions, to provide fluorocarbon-free Nikwax Hydrophobic Down (NHD) to outdoor apparel and sleeping bag manufacturers. 

Under this arrangement, Downlite will market and sell NHD treated down to Nikwax-approved outerwear and sleeping bag brands. Downlite will apply the NHD treatment to its sustainably-sourced down in the cleaning process before it is shipped to manufacturers for finished goods production.
Therm-a-Rest® will introduce NHD in its Spring ’15 sleeping bag line, which will be introduced at the 2014 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

According to 3rd party lab reports, products made with NHD absorb substantially less water and retain more loft than other fluorocarbon-free treatments on the market. NHD also demonstrates improved drying times and will withstand repeat washing. Additionally, no extra weight is added to NHD treated down.

“With over 100 years of experience in sourcing and processing down, we knew Downlite would be the perfect partner for our NHD technology,” said Nick Brown, Nikwax Founder. “We admire their strong partnerships with the best brands in the outdoor industry in addition to their long-time commitment to responsibly-sourced, traceable down, and position against live-plucking.”

“Nikwax is a pioneer when it comes to environmental and social responsibility,” said Chad Altbaier, Downlite VP Sales and Business Development. “The superior efficacy of their water-repellent chemistries combined with the powerful Nikwax consumer brand makes NHD truly second-to-none. We are honored to include NHD in our family of innovative and eco-friendly down product offerings.” 
Therm-a-Rest Vice President Doug Jacot said, “Our customers are serious outdoor enthusiasts who take a great interest and pride in how Therm-a-Rest products are made. We are pleased to offer our loyal customers sustainable and environmentally safe sleeping bags built with products like NHD.”

About Downlite

Downlite is America’s premiere manufacturer of down and feather, and synthetic bedding products. Its products – comforters, pillows, mattress pads, and feather and fiber beds – are sold under private label in leading department stores, specialty stores, and catalogs, as well as under major national brand names. Downlite also supplies high-quality bulk fills to furniture, outerwear and sleeping bag manufacturers around the globe. Downlite is a bluesign® system partner having gone through rigorous tests that meet contemporary ecological requirements to verify compliance with the bluesign® criteria.

About Nikwax®

Nikwax® was founded in 1977 and is the global leader in environmentally safe aftercare and waterproofing solutions that extend the life and performance of technical footwear, apparel and equipment. Nikwax® uses formulations that deliver maximum effectiveness while minimizing environmental impacts and promoting sustainability. Nikwax® is the only major aftercare company to have never used aerosols, fluorocarbons, nor harmful volatile organic chemicals. All Nikwax® products are fluorochemical-free derived from nature-based ingredients, and not tested on animals, and is non-persistent in the environment. Nikwax® currently exports to 50 countries across the globe, is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2014 prestigious Queen’s Enterprise Award for Sustainable Development , Sunday Times Best Green Award (3x), and the Green Apple Award, and is ISO 9001 and 14001 certified.

About Therm-a-Rest 

Seattle-based Therm-a-Rest has been the market leader in premium outdoor comfort since its invention of the world’s first self-inflating mattress in 1972. A commitment to providing inventive, long-lasting and reliable products has driven the expansion of the line into closed-cell foam mattresses, air mattresses, sleep systems and seating solutions that reinvent the way people sleep outside. All Therm-a-Rest® mattresses are made in Seattle, WA and Cork, Ireland manufacturing facilities.

For more information, visit www.thermarest.com.

By press release

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