Introducing GORE-TEX Recycled BIONIC Textile Laminates

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced its Fabrics Division will introduce two two-layer GORE-TEX Laminates with BIONIC textiles made from plastic waste collected from coastal environments. Gore collaborated with the Bionic team to support its mission of reducing ocean plastic through community engagement by investing in its plastic recovery and sorting facility in Cóbano, Costa Rica.

Through the effort, the operation collects plastic waste, so it does not end up in the ocean. Sorted plastic waste is then turned into materials used in the textile component of these GORE-TEX Laminates.

The laminates with recycled BIONIC textile mark a milestone in Gore Fabrics Division’s ongoing sustainability journey. The development of the laminates is reflective of the division’s commitment to responsible performance – a commitment to the increasing urgency for meaningful action and sustainable solutions within the global apparel industry that could help change the trajectory of our planet and the people who call it home.

“The new GORE-TEX Laminates with recycled BIONIC textile are a testament to how we can use meaningful scientific innovation to seek bold solutions for some of the most complex problems facing our industry,” said Achim Loeffler, Consumer Fabrics Business Leader, W. L. Gore & Associates. “We believe in the power of going further, together by working with like-minded brands; our collaboration with Bionic and Patagonia will enable us to turn garbage into good.”

Patagonia will introduce the first products featuring GORE-TEX Laminates with recycled BIONIC textiles in the Autumn/Winter ‘23 season. In future seasons, additional GORE-TEX customers will introduce products featuring the laminates, all of which are:

  • constructed with Gore’s new ePE membrane and 100 percent recycled BIONIC polyester textile – made from 50 percent plastic waste collected from Bionic’s operations in coastal communities and 50% from municipal collection
  • certified according to Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
  • durably waterproof, windproof and breathable and covered by the brand’s renowned GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY Promise

Together with the Cóbano community, Gore and Bionic have collaborated to set up:

  • local waste management system to repurpose plastic waste
  • recycling stations along roads and beaches
  • organized community beach cleanup events and community outreach
  • centralized sorting, bailing and flaking facility and collection routes for local businesses, schools and other institutions

“This launch is the culmination of years of close collaboration with Gore, the development of novel processing techniques, and the creation of an entirely new and traceable supply chain. Raising the profile of BIONIC textiles to the standards of the GORE-TEX Brand has been the best kind of challenge and resulted in a truly special material that has found a perfect home at Patagonia, with its long history of high-performance innovation and stewardship,” said Tim Coombs, Bionic co-founder.

Gore first announced their relationship with Bionic in December 2020.

For more information, visit gore.com or bionic.is.