Duvaltex converts ocean plastic into textile line

Duvaltex has joined hands with Steelcase to transform marine waste into recycled products with full traceability. This would be the second product released under the fabric manufacturer’s Clean Impact Textiles line.

Alain Duval, the CEO of Duvaltex, stated that as a sustainability pioneer, they have a responsibility to inspire their industry to preserve the planet for future generations. Since 1990 the company has worked with recycled materials and non-toxic fabric dyes, cleaners, and finishes.

Duvaltex’s CLEAN IMPACT TEXTILES™ regroups the company’s sustainability-focused technologies under a strong and unique brand. The main aim is to reuse discarded materials and reduce waste, while inspiring designers and the industry to preserve the planet for future generations.

Jean Pierre Simard, vice president of marketing at Duvaltex, stated that since 1995 they have been doing recycled content and it was a big global evolution at the time. He added that as circular economy models are in recent times and different sustainable initiatives were commercial, no one was doing anything about ocean plastic pollution. He stated that they decided to seize the opportunity to take action.

The intersection is a scaled-up response to the global plastic problem. The company has targeted something harmful and has used it in place of newly extracted resources. Intersection reduces waste and prevents petroleum extraction, having an even greater impact. The SEAQUAL organization clears local beaches of all kinds of waste as well as retrieving plastic from the ocean. Simard explained that when it is cleaned a lot of materials appear as waste and the company pulls out the polyester from these applications and transforms it into industry-leading fabrics in terms of design and performance.

Other initiatives in the market include recovering fishing nets made of nylon whereas Intersection is made of recycled PET that is transformed into polyester. Making the process upcycling and not downcycling. In order to ensure a high-quality product that meets Duvaltex’s performance standards, the marine plastic must be carefully sorted, cleaned of any contaminants, and then mixed with a clean post-consumer recycled PET.

Simard stated that they have over 25 years of experience in managing new yarn technology, implementing innovative advanced materials and sustainable manufacturing practices. Duvaltex has strategically chosen Steelcase as a partner to add environmental consciousness into the product. The two companies have collaborated with each other for over 25 years. Currently offered in 17 colours throughout the Steelcase surface materials distribution network, Intersection can be specified on over 50 Steelcase screen and panel products.