W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) has announced the consumer business of its Fabrics Division will be introducing the use of expanded Polyethylene (ePE) as a complementary material platform to serve as the basis for its membrane technologies.
Gore’s new ePE membrane will appear in GORE-TEX brand consumer products beginning in the Fall/Winter 2022 season. Products featuring Gore’s new ePE membrane will be introduced in a selection of consumer end uses including general outdoor and lifestyle garments, lifestyle footwear and snow sports gloves from select customers including Adidas, ARC’TERYX, Dakine, Patagonia, Reusch, Salomon, Ziener and more.
The announcement of Gore’s ePE membrane reaffirms the GORE-TEX brand’s commitment to responsible performance – defined by Gore as applying the brand’s unique experience, science and capabilities on a continuous journey to unlock new levels of performance and sustainability.
Gore applied decades of scientific knowledge and polymer expertise to discover the combination of the right materials and processes that manipulate ePE into a strong microporous material.
Gore’s ePE membrane:
- Leverages high strength-to-weight ratio to create lightweight and thin composites that are mechanically robust.
- Enables durable performance and a low environmental footprint.
- When combined with Polyurethane (PU), the result creates a durably waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane.
- Combination of the ePE material and low membrane mass results in a lower carbon footprint, as measured by Higg MSI.
- Advances Gore Fabrics Division’s goal for being free of PFCs of Environmental Concern (PFCEC) over the lifecycle of its consumer products.
GORE-TEX brand consumer products that feature Gore’s ePE membrane will carry the GORE-TEX brand’s “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry” promise.
Products for additional consumer end-uses (and from additional customers) will be introduced in upcoming seasons.
