Further investing in and pioneering the manufacturing of products with a lower environmental impact, Berghaus has launched the Made Kind label to identify the performance gear it makes that is kinder to the planet.
The move illustrates Berghaus progress in its ongoing program to eliminate harmful substances from the brand’s supply chain, and Spring/Summer 2016 marks the launch of Made Kind, fabrics and technologies that combine high performance with low environmental impact, whether through more eco-friendly materials or improved processes. To earn the Made Kind tag, Berghaus products must meet at least one of three criteria: be made out of a bluesign approved fabric; be made using Berghaus’ proprietary Colourkind colouring process; or be made using recycled materials.
The proprietary Colourkind process adds color to the polymer melt before it is extruded into fibres, eliminating the stages of standard textile production that consume the largest quantities of water and generate the most pollutants, resulting in a higher quality fabric with improved color fastness, says the company. The Colourkind process reduces fresh water consumption by 89% versus standard dyeing, as well as CO2emissions by 62%, chemical use by 63%, and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) by 67%. Thanks to Colourkind, Berghaus has estimated that it saved 1,000,000 litres of water from its production process in the SS15 season.
Colourkind is featured in extensions to the Explorer ECO line, along with a wide selection of nylon and polyester wovens and knits, including t-shirts and polo shirts incorporating Berghaus’ proven ARGENTIUM technology.
Berghaus has placed a particular focus on reducing fresh water use in product manufacture, recognizing the increasing pressure that is being put on this limited resource by growing populations and industrialization. This was highlighted by the most recent World Economic Forum, which put water scarcity at the top of its global risk ranking for 2015.
