Gore-Tex and Bionic create a PFC-free* laminate – made with recycled plastic waste from the shores of Costa Rica.

Imagine you wear a fully waterproof, highly breathable, PFC-free* insulated outdoor-jacket to enter ski slopes or wander around town at Christmas – and the jacket was made with recycled plastic waste from the tropical shores of Costa Rica! If this is an interesting thought, one should pay attention to the initiative of the Gore-Tex brand and Bionic.

New 2-layer Gore-Tex Laminates with Bionic textile are made from plastic waste collected from coastal environments**. Gore has collaborated with the Bionic team to support their mission of reducing ocean plastic through community engagement by investing in their plastic recovery and sorting facility in Cóbano, Costa Rica. Through this effort, the operation collects plastic waste so it does not end up in the ocean. Sorted plastic waste is then turned into materials used in the textile component of these new Gore-Tex Laminates.

They mark another milestone in Gore Fabrics Division’s ongoing sustainability journey. The development of the laminates is also reflective of the Division’s strong commitment to responsible performance – a commitment to the increasing urgency for meaningful action and sustainable solutions within the global apparel industry.

“The new Gore-Tex Laminates with recycled Bionic textile are a testament to how we can use meaningful scientific innovation to seek bold solutions for some of the most complex problems facing our industry,” says Achim Loeffler, Consumer Fabrics Business Leader, W. L. Gore & Associates.

“We believe in the power of going further, together by working with like-minded brands; our collaboration with Bionic and Patagonia will enable us to turn garbage into good.”

Gore provided investment, material science and supply chain knowledge to Bionic, helping to create a robust, scalable supply chain, as well as local recycling infrastructure in the Costa Rican communities. In addition, Gore and Bionic use the phrase “Stronger Thread. Greater Good.” to represent the collective action that connects brands and consumers with their community driven environmental operation in Costa Rica.

“This launch is the culmination of years of close collaboration with Gore, the development of novel processing techniques, and the creation of an entirely new and traceable supply chain,” says Tim Coombs, Bionic co-founder.

Patagonia will introduce the first products featuring new Gore-Tex Laminates with recycled Bionic textile next autumn. In future seasons, additional Gore-Tex Brand customers will introduce products featuring the new laminates, all of which are constructed with Gore’s new ePE membrane and 100% recycled Bionic polyester textile, certified according to Global Recycled Standard (GRS). They meet the highest Gore-Tex quality standards to be durably waterproof, windproof and breathable, covered by the brand’s renowned Guaranteed To Keep You Dry Promise.

*Advances Gore Fabrics goal of being free of PFCs of environmental concern over the lifecycle of its consumer products. In this case, the goal is accomplished using non-fluorinated materials.

** Bionic polyester textiles are made from 100% recycled plastic waste, of which about half comes from the area around Cóbano, Costa Rica and the other half from other areas.

Photo: GORE