Vaude Launching Wood-Based Polyester Fleece Jacket

Vaude, a European environmentally friendly outdoor garment brand will introduce a fleece jacket made from wood-based polyester supplied by UPM Biochemicals.

Finland based UPM Biochemicals, is a supplier of sustainable wood-based biochemicals for replacing fossil-based raw materials.

According to UPM, the resin used to make polyester contains 30 percent monoethylene glycol (MEG) which is traditionally sourced from crude oil.

“In UPM’s process this ingredient will be entirely replaced with a new bio-monoethylene glycol (BioMEG) or UPM’s BioPura,” UPM said.

“BioPura is a drop-in solution that can be easily implemented into existing polyester manufacturing processes as it is identical to currently used MEG on a molecular basis,” the company added.

Indorama Ventures, one of the world’s leading fibre producers, will polymerise and spin a polyester yarn containing UPM’s BioPura at its German site in Guben.

Pontetorto, a leading textile manufacturer located in Prato, Italy, will then process this yarn into a novel, bio-based polyester fabric, which Vaude will use to produce the final garment.

“We are prototyping a world beyond fossils with Vaude, proving that the next level of sustainable textiles is available,” Michael Duetsch, Vice President Biochemicals at UPM said.

“Vaude sets an example in breaking away from oil-based textiles and reducing emission reductions that the whole industry must follow,” he added.

UPM is investing 750 million Euros to build the world’s first industry scale biorefinery in Leuna, Germany.

In Leuna, UPM will convert sustainably sourced, certified hardwood into next generation biochemicals that will enable the vital shift away from fossil-based to renewable materials.

The biorefinery aims to produce 220,000 tons biochemicals per year, with start-up targeted to take place by the end of 2023.