Montagne: more and more eco-suppliers
This is a clear trend in the world of mountains: manufacturers go green. We take stock.
What is the weight of eco-responsible products in mountain equipment?
It's hard to give a global figure, but one thing is certain: twenty years ago, with the American company Patagonia , eco-products have developed a lot in the market over the past ten years, particularly over the past five years. "It has become an essential production standard in the sector!" Says Lionel Jagorel, communications manager for several companies positioned in the niche. It must be said that manufacturers have long relied on technical performance (insulation, waterproofness, breathability ...). But consumers, and even more so, sportsmen and women prefer more and more respect for nature. Result: "R & D is moving more and more towards ecodesign," says Amandine Rousseau, head of textile procurement at snowleader.com .
What do the companies in the sector work concretely?
They are increasingly looking to integrate ecological materials into their products, such as wool, organic cotton or recycled textiles. Many clothes are made from plastic bottles . Picture Organic Clothing , a French SME that was created on the niche ten years ago, has even developed a recycled polyester and polystyrene helmet from ... the Japanese automotive industry! More surprising: to waterproof its clothes, this innovative company (24 million turnover, 60% export) has launched a coating based on ... beeswax! More innovative: PrimaLoft, the undisputed American leader in insulating textiles, has designed 100% recycled and biodegradable fibers in just three years. Their sale on the market is expected in autumn 2020. "This is an important technology because it will solve the problem of microplastic pollution," says Lionel Jagorel.
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By Nolwenn Patrigeon