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T his summer, Nixon reaffirmed its commitment to the world’s oceans with the launch of a new custom-built line of backpacks, convertible duffels, totes and other carry products, all made us- ing Unifi’s REPREVE Our Ocean per- formance fibers. The REPREVE Our Ocean fiber is created from ocean- bound plastic bottles, and Nixon is the first brand in the U.S. to launch a line of bags using this progressive material. Each bag in the newly introduced Nixon collection takes up to 20 bottles out of circulation and gives them new life in a product designed to last. High- lights from the line include the Heist tote, a military pilot-inspired helmet bag; the Bandit chest bag, an evolu- tion of traditional waist packs with a tri-strap design that keeps essentials front-and-center; and the Hauler series of top-load backpacks. “Our Southern California headquar- ters has deliberately always been just a few blocks from the ocean,” commented Nixon’s president Nancy Dynan. “Being the first in the U.S. to use REPREVE Our Ocean fiber in bags hits very close to home and signifies how important the environment is to everyone associated with Nixon. The bag line also amplifies our direction as an accessory brand that goes beyond watches, with a col- lection of essentials rethought in a way that only Nixon knows how.” Ｔ oray Industries, Inc. has developed what it calls a new, more sustainable nylon that represents a major step forward in the company’s Sustainability Vision and makes it pos- sible to create bio-based versions of proven Toray technologies including Entrant and Dermizax. Toray’s Eco- dear Nylon is 60 percent bio-based, developed with sebacic acid generated from Castor beans. The resulting fiber, initially available in 10, 20 and 50 de- nier versions, can be spun in the same process as conventional nylon, said the company. “Ecodear Nylon demonstrates the value of Toray’s vertically inte- grated structure,” said Toray execu- tives. “Because Toray is a chemical manufacturer in addition to a textile company, it can consistently control product quality from the creation of polymers to the production of fin- ished yarns.” Not just environmentally friendly, Ecodear also is designed for durabil- ity and the soft hand that customers expect from Toray nylon products. Toray plans to market the textile this fall, initially targeting the active outdoor sports and skiing markets, as well as athleisure. In North America, Toray International America Inc. will provide the new textile. L enzing Group has introduced the first “carbon-zero” version of its flagship Tencel branded lyocell and modal fibers. Fol- lowing the guidelines of The Carbon- Neutral Protocol, carbon-zero Tencel branded fibers are certified Carbon- Neutral, meaning that the emissions associated with the fibers’ production, manufacturing and distribution have been calculated and offset. Biodegradable and derived from botanic origin, fabrics produced using carbon-zero Tencel fibers will have a third party verified label, offering a new level of sustainable transparency to Lenzing’s customers, brands and consum- ers. According to Lenz- ing’s Global Consumer Perception Survey on Sustainable Raw Materi- als in Fashion and Home Textiles conducted in early 2020, respondents indicated that they ac- tively educate themselves on sustain- ability through research around the production process of products before purchase. Most respondents also con- sidered brands that are transparent with their ingredients and the origin of their raw materials as trustworthy. With the priority of achieving continuous reduction of carbon emis- sions through more effi- cient production methods, renewable energy sources and embracing new tech- nologies, Lenzing also is working with the leading experts on carbon neutrality and climate finance, Natural Capital Partners, to achieve CarbonNeutral product certification. Natural Capital Partners requires an independent third-party assessment Nixon Bags First to Utilize REPREVE Our Ocean ‘Carbon-Zero’ Tencel Fibers Now Available Ingredients Toray Develops Bio-Based, High Value Nylon Inside Outdoor | FALL 2020 32