Ready for Circular Economy

Sympatex presents recyclable product innovations at A+A Düsseldorf. From 24-27 October 2023, the membrane manufacturer will be showing new products in the textile and footwear sector, as well as an eco-design guide, in Hall 15, Stand A21. The eco-design recommendations will be implemented in a separate trade fair collection.

At A+A Düsseldorf, the focus will be on sustainability. After all, the clothing and footwear sector contributes over 8% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainability is an urgent topic and circular economy is rightly becoming the new standard in Europe.

Various objectives play a role in the production of sustainable textiles: the value of textiles should be maintained for as long as possible and greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced. It is also important to reintegrate textile waste into the cycle and reuse it.

At A+A, Sympatex is presenting Caura Sherpa, a new laminate concept that combines the advantages of the classic quilted jacket with those of a membrane jacket.  Stylish, waterproof, breathable and durable. Moreover, it is not only made entirely from recycled material, but is also recyclable and thus precisely in the focus of the sustainability theme of the fair.

“We see Caura Sherpa as a successor to classic softshells. It is also the case that a “Caura Sherpa jacket” offers better thermal insulation than a softshell jacket, while being significantly lighter and more comfortable to wear,” says Petra Klattenhoff, Product Management Corporate & Workwear Sympatex.

The membrane manufacturer Sympatex is convinced that the right materials are very important for efficient recycling. The company has developed an Eco Design Guide to pass on this knowledge to all brand partners. The guide is available at the exhibition stand in Hall 15, Stand A21.

“To illustrate the Sympatex Caura Sherpa concept, we have designed a trade fair collection. Here, our recyclable polyester laminates with eco-design requirements were implemented in finished garments,” says Lisa Polk, Circularity Expert Sympatex.

“The process allowed us to better understand the issues of our brand partners and find ways to close the loop in the design process. Our design emphasises the importance and necessity of making the right material choices for a sustainable garment,” adds Polk.

In footwear, Sympatex’s sustainable answer is called “Sorrento non-woven”. The laminate has been tested and certified for use in workwear.

“By eliminating polyurethane foam in the production of the laminate, we have managed to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% and water consumption by 15%,” says Yasemin Malcolm, Product Management Footwear Sympatex.

“To achieve this, we have replaced the PU layer with 100% recycled polyester non-woven. This has made us more resource-efficient and has brought us a decisive step closer to our goal of mono-material and recyclability of the entire laminate. This progress is still difficult to achieve, especially in the footwear sector. The technical performance of our laminate has also improved,” adds Malcolm.

“We also want to learn from our customers,” says Kim Scholze, CSMO Sympatex.

“I have a fantastic team that implements our circular economy philosophy beautifully through developments like the Caura Sherpa concept and the Sorrento non-woven. Especially in the C&W and footwear sector, it takes expertise, but also a spirit of innovation and collaboration. Valuable ideas are not only created in our company. We always seek exchange with our partners, customers and suppliers. That is why we cordially invite you to the A+A. The trade fair is an excellent opportunity to drive forward detailed solutions and to create added value for the industry together,” adds Kim Scholze.

A+A is the world’s leading trade fair for safe and healthy work. Visit the Sympatex stand (Hall 15, Stand A21) and discover the entire product portfolio. The product and sales team looks forward to welcoming all interested parties. You can purchase tickets online via the Messe Düsseldorf website aplusa.de or via marketing@sympatex.com.

About Sympatex

Re>Closing the loop. Together. By incorporating a climate-neutral and recyclable Sympatex membrane.

100 billion garments and 23 billion pairs of shoes produced p.a. represent Sympatex‘s future source of new raw material, once they‘ve reached their end of life. The intelligent Sympatex membrane has been used in clothing, shoes, accessories and technical applications since 1986 and guarantees being 100% waterproof, windproof and breathable – in accordance with the performance standard. Intelligent? The membrane develops proportionally increasing breathability at higher activity. New and far above standard is that Sympatex produces functional textiles from recycled and recyclable monomaterials. Sympatex will no longer use new materials from the oil industry in the future. Instead, used textiles are transformed into new, high-quality membranes, laminates and functional textiles. Sympatex is working with selected brand partners worldwide to close the textile cycle together.