Patagonia partners with NFW to develop and scale circular textile solutions

US-based sustainable materials start-up Natural Fiber Welding Inc (NFW) is collaborating with outdoor clothing company Patagonia to develop and scale circular textile solutions. NFW will continue to innovate at the crossroads of performance and sustainability with Patagonia’s help, generating uncompromising material solutions.

To date, plastics and plastic coatings have been used in the materials industry to attain the level of performance required for activewear and other high-durability materials. Non-biodegradable, energy-intensive, fossil-based polymers like polyester and polyurethane are unattainable as a finite resource to meet the needs of a growing global population while also protecting precious natural resources.

Patagonia’s collaboration with NFW underscores its dedication to its customers to never compromise on performance, aesthetics, or environmental responsibility.

Luke Haverhals, CEO and founder of NFW, said that they’ve discovered that nature is the top performer when it comes to performance. Not only they have been able to demonstrate that natural materials can perform just as well as synthetics, but they can also scale sustainably, unlike plastic-based materials. That’s why they’re so excited to work with Patagonia, who has long been a pioneer in highlighting the value and power of nature.

By rethinking the way they obtain, utilize, and recycle truly circular materials, their partnership will advance each brand’s commitment to combating climate catastrophe. CLARUS® is a proprietary technology platform developed by Natural Fiber Weldings that uses a closed-loop chemistry method to build yarn structures in novel ways. Natural fibers can now compete with synthetics on every criterion that customers value.

From locally obtained raw materials to end-product, CLARUS’ whole supply chain is structured for low environmental impact and transparency. CLARUS fibers are totally recyclable and built for limitless circling since the recycled yarns are composites of 100% natural materials.

Sara Hayes, Patagonia’s Director of Materials Development, said that the ability to mix recycled natural fibers in a textile that is durable and has better performance is an exciting and very unique technology with high potential for high impact in the industry. Using NFW’s fiber welding technology, completely natural materials can achieve synthetic-equivalent performance qualities including abrasion resistance and moisture management.

Natural Fiber Welding recently received money from BMW I Ventures and other investors to help it develop commercial production of sustainable performance materials for automotive and other applications.