September 5, 2023 Performance Days sets sights on next generation, PFAS-free membranes

With Performance Days just around the corner, Suston reaches out to presentation stage moderator Charles Ross to hear how the show will aim to once again push the sustainability needle with functional fabrics.

How does PD in general help push the sustainability envelope?

Much of the focus on brands is to make Less Bad products. Ever since the turn of the Millennium, we have known which chemicals we should not use (hence the rise of Bluesign), a decade later LCAs became the focus (hence the rise of the SAC & the Higg Index). Today, the easy wins are helping brands make fabric choices that have a lesser impact. To be allowed to exhibit at Performance Days, exhibitors must demonstrate that their product is in fact more responsible. In other words, anyone with something like C6 DWRs, regardless of their legal status, are NOT offered a stand. This combines with the Theme & Presentations that help educate attendees towards the next step.

What should attendees look out for on the sustainability front?

Where to begin? Carbon capture synthetic yarns are one example, plus fibers from ReGenerative Agriculture. Both fibers create materials that are a positive carbon asset to the material choice. There’s also the first ever shoe which has been completely Oeko-tex approved – quite the feat considering the average shoe has 100 different components. Or how about a polyester glue used to laminate polyester membranes, thus allowing for the first ever mono-material breathable waterproof garment?

We’ve also got a great lineup of expert talks, such as: Alexa’s overview of the Judging panel’s findings (saves trying to find it all out for yourself); Katy Stevens’ update on EOG practice-in-action (SDEX); University of Leed’s research into fabric durability versus price; the Footwear panel (which will start with the subject of pLeather – those vegan alternatives); plus a panel discussing to what degree fabric choices can assist CSR objectives.

In terms of the show itself, Performance Days has also switched to the EOCA choice of partner for off-setting its carbon footprint through tree planting, so every person who attends has some positive climate contribution.

Can you share a bit more about the Focus Topic: “Evolution & Revolution”? What is it, and why was it chosen?

For the last 3 seasons, focus has been on bringing the industry forward in terms of Carbon Impact awareness, as they were all headlined “The Journey to Carbon Neutrality.” Now, Performance Days wants to stay on that level, but also address the other Elephant-in-the-Room. Since the ZDHC and Bluesign changed their endorsement status of PTFE last year – there has been massive progress made in various solutions for permeable waterproof solutions: Olefin micro-porous, PFC-free electrospun, serious hydrophilics, 2 layer versions, bio-plastic substrates of these, solvent-free PU membranes, et cetera. Hence, the new Focus Topic is both fitting and timely: “Evolution and Revolution: From Membranes to the Carbon Story.”

Any other emerging topics or trends that you suspect might pick up steam this year?

The ongoing rPET shortage as bottles get looped back into new bottle stock, for one – hence the interest in BASF’s ability to extract rPolyamide from old car tires. Then there’s also the new Footwear Supply Chain exhibitors, an Innovation Zone for incoming concepts, and GreenRoomVoice, which will still be providing the Sustainability Hub. Add 400 exhibitors on top of all that, and there’s going to be plenty of new innovative ideas to digest afterwards!

Photo: Performance Days