Recently, UPM Biochemistry and VAUDE, a supplier of sustainable innovations for outdoor apparel, announced that they will produce outerwear made from bio-based chemicals and demonstrate that the textile industry can begin to shift to renewable materials.
Recognizing the serious challenges faced by the textile and footwear industries, UPM sought more sustainable solutions for the polyesters and polyurethanes used in its products. Approximately 60% of all materials currently used in the fashion industry are made from fossil-based polymers. uPM will produce new materials from sustainably sourced forest biomass, which will help replace fossil-based raw materials in the textile value chain.
Through close collaboration, UPM and VAUDE will produce the first wood-based polyester wool jacket. This is a small step with significant impact, as it will help bridge the gap between recycled and sustainable virgin fibers and lead fashion beyond fossils.
The resin used to make polyester contains 30% monoethylene glycol (MEG ), which is traditionally derived from crude oil. In the UPM and VAUDE processes, this component will be completely replaced by a new bio-mono-ethylene glycol (BioMEG), BioPura from UPM. BioPura is an insert solution that can be easily applied to existing polyester manufacturing processes, as it is identical in molecular basis to the MEG currently used.
Partnerships across the value chain are a prerequisite for strengthening sustainable innovation in all industries. In this context, Indorama Ventures, one of the world's leading chemical companies, will polymerize and spin polyester yarns containing UPM biopurtm bio Meg at its plant in Guben, Germany. Pontetorto, a leading textile manufacturer based in Prato, Italy, will process the yarn into a new bio-based polyester fabric that VAUDE will use to produce the final garment.
"This partnership demonstrates that transformative steps for the chemical industry toward renewable materials are now possible." said Michael Duetsch, vice president of biochemistry at UPM.
"We are building a world beyond fossils with VAUDE, proving that next-level sustainable textiles are possible. vAUDE is setting an example in moving away from petroleum-based textiles and reducing emissions that the entire industry must follow."
UPM and VAUDE develop innovative outdoor clothing and prototype for a "fossil-free future"
Polyester is the most widely used fiber in the world. However, only 14.8% currently comes from recycled raw materials, such as PET bottles. Less than 1% of the raw materials used in garment production are recycled for new clothes. There is a great opportunity to choose sustainable raw materials.
