Kathmandu unveils new jacket made with end-of-life car tyres
New Zealand-based outdoor brand Kathmandu has unveiled a new puffer jacket crafted from recycled plastic waste, including end-of-life car tyres, as the B-Corp-certified company continues to offer sustainable options for consumers.The Epiq SE jacket is a special edition of Kathmandu’s heritage puffer jacket made in partnership with Fulgar, an international leader in man-made fibres, utilising its Q-Cycle technology, a yarn made with recycled post-consumer plastic waste, including end-of-life car tyres through principles of mass balance.
Whereas tyres would normally be incinerated, releasing toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, or sent to landfill, Fulgar's Q-Cycle technology converts the waste into a sustainable polyamide yarn that saves “significant” amounts of water and CO2 and converts end-of-life tyres into a valuable textile for the apparel industry to help brands increase circularity.
Kathmandu has used this innovative fibre for the outer fabric of its limited-edition black Epiq SE puffer, which offers a sleek modern look with 600-fill power duck down, independently certified to the Responsible Down Standard, for ultimate comfort and warmth.Designed to be the perfect “go-anywhere jacket,” the lightweight and durable water-repellent style comes with a separate stuff sack so it can be quickly tucked away.
Karinda Robinson, general manager of product at Kathmandu, said in a statement: “Kathmandu continues to push the boundaries of product innovation and sustainable practice in the textiles industry, and the launch of our Epiq SE marks another milestone in our journey.“ As a Certified B Corporation, Kathmandu has a clear vision to reduce its climate impact. Investing in advanced recycling technologies, like this one, is a perfect example of how we are working to increase circularity and reduce the linear take-make-waste approach to business.”
