Thermore® introduces stretch insulation made of 50% recycled polyester
In a world where the quest for sustainability is becoming increasingly crucial, An Italian thermal insulation manufacturer, Thermore Group takes a bold leap forward with its latest innovation: Thermore® Freedom Stretch Insulation. This groundbreaking material not only champions the cause of eco-friendly practices but also redefines the boundaries of performance wear. With its exceptional stretch and recovery properties, Freedom Stretch Insulation promises to deliver unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement, setting a new benchmark for sustainable performance in the textile industry.
The Thermore group announced the debut of the most dynamic stretch insulation in its five decades of innovation: Freedom. Made from 50-percent post-consumer recycled polyester, this unique and compelling insulation offers ground-breaking stretch while providing warmth across a multitude of uses including alpine sports, running, golf, commuter, fishing and hunting, cycling, and a host of other active pursuits.
It says that dynamometer testing has revealed that the insulation, which is available in four degrees of warmth ranging from 60-150g per square meter, has flexibility capable of recovering up to 100% of its pre-stretch size. Thermore also says that their new Freedom stretch insulating fabric provides greater comfort and utility than was previously possible in the stretch category. The Freedom insulation is GRS-approved, machine washable, and dry cleanable. Thermore further claims that its great resistance to fiber migration makes it design-friendly for product makers.
Chronological development of Thermore
Thermore began using recycled fibers in the 1980s and claims to be the first firm to launch recycled insulation. It is currently concentrating on sustainable innovation using post-consumer waste, such as PET bottles, and specializes in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of high-quality thermal insulation for performance garments.
Thermore debuted their ocean-bound raw fiber in May 2023 to help minimize plastic waste. Ecodown Fibers Ocean is constructed completely of ocean-bound raw materials, notably PET bottles. It is environmentally beneficial and helps to reduce plastic trash in the water.
Thermore also stated that it has boosted the recycled fiber percentage of its best-selling product, Thermore Classic. With 75% of the content now complete, Thermore said it will continue to provide designers with an ultra-versatile thermal insulation solution that corresponds with their sustainability aims.
At the time, Thermore stated that its long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability had led the company to adopt major initiatives to mitigate the impact of its goods on the earth.
What are the specials in FREEDOM?
1. Anti-Fiber migration: The idea that the product should maintain its structural stability throughout the garment is one of Thermore®’s basic beliefs. In essence, fiber migration happens when the insulation’s polyester fibers can separate from the structure and pass through an item of clothing’s shell or lining. This can quickly cover the mid-layer of garments with a variety of ugly fibers.
Freedom fabric’s protection is accomplished without the need for a scrim, which is more expensive, harmful to the hand, and only a temporary fix.
2. Heat retention: Thermore’s R&D department consistently prioritizes durable performance. It has been demonstrated that after washing, other branded insulation can lose up to 30% of its loft, which corresponds to a comparable reduction in heat retention. Furthermore, Thermore feels that consumers should be allowed to quilt their coats however they choose and not be forced to use a lot of quilting to stabilize the insulation.
Test results from independent laboratories demonstrate that quilting reduces insulation’s warmth by over 30%. Freedom holds its original structure over time and doesn’t need to be quilted. As a result, there are no cold spots or clumping problems across the entire garment lifetime.
3. Fiber Composition: The construction is made of 100% polyester which is extracted from PET plastic bottles. There are 50% PCR too.
4. GRS Certification: The desired effect of GRS (Global Recycled Standard) is to provide brands with a tool for more accurate labeling, to encourage innovation in the use of reclaimed materials, to establish more transparency in the supply chain, and to provide better information to consumers. Freedom got GRS certification ensured a greener supply chain for businesses and improved things like Traceability, Environmental principles, etc.
Steps towards Sustainability
The new Freedom insulation adds a higher level of comfort and functionality than what was previously attainable in the stretch category. It reaffirms Thermore’s place in the textile industry as a true innovator that is deeply rooted in performance and sustainability. This represents another step forward in Thermore’s ongoing dedication to commit to a sustainable product line.
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