Milliken & Company, the owners of fabric technology innovators, Polartec, has proudly announced it is working with National Geographic to “spark collaboration and inspire innovation in sustainability and the future of a circular economy”.
Beginning with sponsorship of the recent National Geographic Forum on TheCircular Economy, the collaboration kicked off at their headquarters in Washington DC last month. The Forum was attended by 400 people with another 500 plus tuning in through live stream.
Milliken, a textile manufacturer who acquired Polartec in 2019, has a 154-year history in environmental stewardship with ongoing goals to strive, protect and preserve our world for future generations.
Its 2025 Sustainability Goals includes a promise to: “convene scientists and thought-leaders to advance the goal of solving the plastics’ end-of-life challenge.”
As is now well-publicised, Polartec is the original inventor of knit fleece fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, thus far diverting 1.5 billion single use plastic bottles from landfill. A figure which continues to rise. Furthermore, 95 per cent of their remnants and off cuts are re-purposed often becoming flooring, furniture, insulation and even horseshoes.
President of Polartec, Steve Layton, says: “We fully support Milliken in its decision to allign with National Geographic and are proud to be associated with this venture. Polartec’s own research and development continues to centre on sustainaility and ongoing efforts to create more circular solutions to plastic. We are commited to looking after the outdoor world which we strive to enjoy through performance fabric innovation.“
For over 30 years, Polartec has been zipped up, strapped on, and pulled over to prepare for whatever our best days have in store.
Our new video celebrates the morning rituals that give us that little extra nudge out of bed to embark upon the adventure ahead. Real folks from Montana to Arizona set out for the trails, rivers, roads, and rocks. And though their best days may start a little differently, there’s a common thread that connects them — Polartec is there to keep them warm, dry, cool, and safe through it all.
Set to Caamp’s “By and By,” this video will have you feeling nostalgic for past adventures and excited to plan for more.
Take a moment to reflect on your best days with us and feel free to share your morning ritual over on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram when you see our #BestDays posts throughout the month.
Comfort x Durability Burton, the Vermont-born pioneers of the snowboarding industry, searches endlessly for the newest technologies to take their lineto new heights. They looked to Polartecto add our signature performance and comfort, and together we created a premium base layer collection that marries function and fashion for the ride, the fireside, and everywhere in between.
Check out the [ak] Power Grid™ Base Layer Hoodie
(shown here in its natural habitat) a welcome addition to your kit that’s durable, adaptable, and designed with the mountain in mind. It’s the ideal layer thanks to Polartec® Power Grid™ technical fleece, uniquely engineered for versatile comfort in fluctuating conditions and stop-and-go activity. (more…)
Polartec® , the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, announces the latest advancement of Polartec® Power Air™. The first fabric technology engineered to reduce fiber shedding is now made to be 100% recyclable and circular, and also 25% lighter than the initial product.
Polartec® Power Air™, launched last year with brands like Houdini, Adidas, Burton and NOBULL, is an innovative platform offering advanced thermal efficiency by encapsulating lofted fibers within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction. Insulation that effectively regulates core body temperature has traditionally been achieved via lofted or high-pile knit structures that hold warm air. (more…)
At ISPO 2020, Michael Cattanach (Global Product Director – Core & Outdoor) presents Karpos Pierra Menta ski jacket and Houdini Lightweight Power Air equipped with Polartec Technologies.
Eco-Engineering™ is Polartec production and distribution platform to reduce emissions, waste, and cost, while also meeting the increased global demand for high quality, sustainable textiles. Polartec has established higher-than-mandated protocols for water filtration, waste capture, and recycled content. They meet the highest possible standard of compliance and accountability. A standard Polartec set for all our facilities worldwide.
At ISPO 2019, Michael Cattanach (Global Product Director – Core & Outdoor) presents Polartec Power Fill, Alpha recycled insulation, Polartec High Loft with wool, Polartec NeoShell to freeride, Polartec Power Air sustainable fabric, Polartec and fashion and Polartec Alpha Direct recycled fabric.
Polartec, the premium producer of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, introduces its Eco-Engineering™ initiative to use recycled and biodegradable materials across its entire product line.
The effort joins other industry leaders and pioneers in sustainable textiles: Unifi and Intrinsic Advanced Materials. The collaboration combines a revolutionary CiCLO® technology with Unifi’s innovative yarn products to promote biodegradation of polyester and nylon, as well as applications in polyurethane, in sea water and landfill conditions. The goal is to create the world’s first fully recycled and biodegradable fleeces and breathable waterproof membranes, as well as other knits and insulation fills. (more…)
Polartec, the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, announces Polartec® Power Air™, the first fabric technology engineered to reduce fibre shedding. By encapsulating lofted fibres within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction, this revolutionary new platform offers advanced thermal efficiency that is proven to shed five times less than other premium ‘mid-layer’ weight fabrics.
Insulation that effectively regulates core body temperature has traditionally been achieved via lofted or high-pile knit structures that hold warm air. Although Polartec is a leader in making resilient materials, it has recognised that any exposed fibre is susceptible to shedding as a function of normal wear. The Polartec Power Air construction process mitigates this by encasing the insulating lofted fibres within the knitting process. (more…)
Established in 1906 as Malden Mills, Polartec jumped into life making wool knits to outfit US soldiers through two world Wars. Continually innovating, it was in 1981 that Polartec came up with its universal game changer: synthetic fleece. Named one of the 20th Century’s greatest inventions by Time Magazine, synthetic fleece revolutionised how we dress to go outdoors. From here ensued a number of fabric innovations and with it growth and the ever-pressing need for environmental consideration. In 1993 Polartec embarked on the complicated task of processing plastic bottles for use in fleece. Integrating recycled content into its product line saw the brand celebrating the recycling of its billionth bottle in 2015.
Today Polartec supplies the world with the most advanced fabric innovations. Polartec products range from advanced lightweight wicking fabric to insulation and weather protection textiles and are utilised by leading apparel brands, the US military and other global militaries. Polartec offers technical fabrics for use in any conditions and any activities from sportswear, cycling, snow sports, outdoor, active wear as well as work wear applications and upholstery market. Innovation is in Polartec’s DNA.
INFO-CONTACTS
POLARTEC LCC
46 Stafford St Lawrence, MA
01841 United States
