For the time being, this fiber will be used in some Multiuse garments. A bike collection with this fiber is not planned, according to our inquiry. However, it shows that the development of fibers made from alternative fabrics is already underway. The step towards "green bike collections" should not be that big. The fact that companies like Vaude are thinking about how to reduce their impact on the environment is highly commendable. This goes far beyond a single fiber like Tencel® or microplastics in the water cycle, but they are important pieces in this huge environmental protection puzzle.

Vaude explains more about this in the following press release.
"Developing products that do not harm people or nature is a top priority for us. In this way, we also want to contribute to solving global ecological problems such as the pollution of our environment with plastic, which is partly caused by textiles made from synthetic fibers," says Antje von Dewitz, VAUDE Managing Director. Together with partners from environmental associations, science and the textile industry, VAUDE has launched the "TextileMission" research project. The aim is to find solutions to reduce the environmental impact of microplastic particles that are released when synthetic fiber clothing is washed. VAUDE is pleased with the first development successes and presents an innovative fleece material made from bio-based and biodegradable fibers. This is one of the innovative natural materials that VAUDE is using in the new, completely sustainable Green Shape Core Collection.

Fleece materials with their fluffy surface are usually made from synthetic fibers such as polyester. Fibers and tiny particles that come loose when washing fleece clothing in the washing machine, for example, are only partially filtered out by wastewater treatment plants and can therefore end up in the environment. As synthetic fibers are particularly durable and often only biodegrade extremely slowly, they pose a risk if they end up in our oceans via the global water cycle. The problem is that the small particles can be mistaken for food by sea creatures and enter the food chain. "As a manufacturer of fleece clothing, we see this as our responsibility and are actively looking for solutions to avoid microplastics in the environment," continues von Dewitz.

"TextileMission" research project

In September 2017, VAUDE joined forces with partners from the sporting goods industry, universities, WWF Germany and the washing machine and detergent manufacturers Miele and Henkel to launch the "TextileMission" research project, which receives funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Hilke Patzwall, CSR Manager at VAUDE: "The aim of TextileMission is firstly to optimize wastewater treatment plant technology with filters and secondly to develop textiles that have significantly lower microparticle emissions. Research is also being conducted into bio-based and biodegradable fibers as an environmentally friendly alternative."

First successes with fibers made from wood

Together with the Italian producer Pontetorto, VAUDE is the first outdoor outfitter to develop a cozy fleece material using TENCEL® on the inside. The special thing about it: microparticles that enter the global water cycle during washing can completely biodegrade in seawater. The TENCEL® fiber is made from 100 percent renewable wood and has outstanding functional properties. The fabric was presented to the public at the Performance Days textile trade fair in Munich in November 2017 and received the trade fair's Eco Performance Award.

Green Shape Core Collection

VAUDE is using this newly developed material for the first time in the pioneering sustainability collection "Green Shape Core Collection". This collection consists of 19 sustainable products - clothing, shoes and backpacks - designed for a wide range of outdoor activities. They are characterized by a natural look and feel and combine performance with a feel-good factor and a long service life. Around 90 percent of the diverse textile materials used in production are bio-based, recycled or purely natural materials. Unconventional raw materials such as cow's milk, wood or castor oil are also used. The new collection was first presented to trade visitors at the Ethical Fashion Show in Berlin and at ISPO in Munich on January 1, 2018. It will be available in sports retailers from August 2018.