After intensive research and development, VAUDE will be transitioning a majority of its products with water repellent finishes to environmentally friendly PFC-free alternatives in the Spring/Summer 2017 Collection. These technologies have been put through numerous tests with different materials and have met performance requirements.
“The most recent test results have convinced us. They evince outstanding water repellency, so we will therefore be transitioning a majority of the collection,” Antje von Dewitz CEO stated, pleased as to the progress on this much-discussed PFC question. The challenge in this issue is to dispense with the use of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons (PFC) in DWR fabric finishes, or water-repellent treatments of textile surfaces. When transitioning to environmentally friendly alternatives, there have been numerous challenges that have had to be met: from reduced functionality due to lack of water and oil repellency, to undesirable effects on color and surface properties, to changes in a fabric’s nature. The ongoing testing effort at VAUDE over the last years was, and remains, correspondingly high.
All apparel 95% PFC-free
In the Summer 2017 Collection, 95% of all VAUDE apparel is manufactured without the use of PFCs. Of all waterproof and water-repellent apparel, 87% have a PFC-free finish; this is a 29% increase over the previous year. The stated objective to dispense completely with PFC by 2020 appears to be within reach. Besides water-repellent clothing such as jackets or softshell trekking pants, which have been completely free of PFCs since summer 2015, the majority of waterproof products such as rain jackets and pants will now also be PFC-free at VAUDE. In its waterproof membrane, VAUDE has dispensed for years with the use of PTFE, which requires PFC for its manufacturing.
Rigorous testing methods
Extensive testing and close collaboration with chemical suppliers and producers have made this enormous progress possible. All in all VAUDE has tested over 300 substances in its laboratory; intensive wearing tests in the rain simulator as well as real-life practical usage tests were fundamental elements of the development process. The in-house material specialists carried out performance tests on various PFC-free DWR alternatives. “Our customers expect a rain jacket that repels water and dirt, and a material that does not soak up water on the outside. Different materials also react differently, so we have to check each substance individually, and have developed testing methods that go beyond conventional industry standards” Hilke Patzwall, VAUDE Environmental Manager explains. The environmentally friendly PFC-free alternatives that have passed the elaborate testing process successfully are subsequently used for all rain products.
Eco Finish: Label for environmentally friendly products
VAUDE labels all PFC-free treated products with its own “Eco Finish” label. This indicates all water-repellent fabric finishes produced without fluorocarbons (PFC). The symbol for this environmentally friendly water-repellency is also part of the VAUDE Green Shape warranty. “With the help of the Eco Finish label on product hang-tags, a customer can make a conscious decision to choose a PFC-free product for sake of the environment,” Patzwall stresses.
VAUDE sustainability strategy: “The green theme”
VAUDE employs a comprehensive sustainability strategy that serves as a “green theme” throughout all areas of the company. “It is important to strike a balance between environmental, social and economic responsibility,” Antje von Dewitz stated. “We implement our values in all areas as well as promote technological advancements and the search for environmentally friendly performance materials in the supply industry.” With sales performance that has been above the industry average for years, VAUDE confirms that sustainability can also be a factor for economic success. In 2015, the company was honored as Germany’s Most Sustainable Brand with the German Sustainability Award.
INFO: VAUDE
