BECOMING OCEAN POSITIVE
MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGIES
Making clothes comes with an ecological and social footprint. We are committed to using more responsible materials that cause less pollution to water, air, soil and life.
Our goal is to find the right balance between sustainability, functionality, and purpose. For us, responsible materials are made from recycled content, grown using organic practices, or have a proven lower environmental and social impact than conventional ones.
WOOL & CASHMERE
Wool and cashmere are lightweight natural fibers made from the fleece of sheep and cashmere goats, and have unique characteristics such as comfort, versatility, and great thermal performance. As it is a natural fiber, wool is also biodegradable and fully recyclable in its pure form.
We source, as much as possible, virgin wool from certified responsible sources that respect the highest standards of animal welfare and land stewardship. We also encourage our suppliers to align with animal health and welfare standards as part of our Code of Conduct. Plus, we have introduced in our collections recycled pre- and post-consumer wool and cashmere that has been recovered from existing materials and regenerated into new yarns. For FW24, about 30% of the wool in our products was made using recycled content.
POLYESTER & NYLON
Polyester and nylon are strong synthetic fibers which are long lasting, weather resistant, and quick drying.
We know the fashion industry is largely dependent on non-renewable and finite resources, such as synthetic fibers made from petroleum. Synthetics also release microplastic pollution that enters the wider environment, which can cause negative effects on ecosystems and human health.
As a sportswear and activewear business, we rely on synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon for their comfort and technical performance. We are working on replacing synthetic materials with natural materials, without compromising performance. Where this is not still possible, we are working to reduce our use of virgin polyester and nylon. For FW24, about 94% of the nylon and about 98% of the polyester in our products were made using recycled content.
PACKAGING MATERIALS
Our commitment towards responsible materials also extends to packaging; for this reason, we are adopting solutions to limit the amount of unnecessary plastic in our retail packaging (goods we send directly to you, the customer), as well as in our purchased goods and wholesale packaging. Not only is packaging the dominant application of plastic globally (at 26% of total volume), but its small size also makes it especially prone to leakage into the ocean.
In our stores, both hangtags and packaging are made from recycled materials, with hangtags additionally certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
We are currently piloting the use of glassine paper bags to replace traditional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags. Unlike LDPE bags, which can be difficult to recycle, glassine paper bags are biodegradable, recyclable and compostable. In transport packaging, we use recycled plastic polybags and cardboard from certified, responsible sources.
PROCESSES
Finding ecologically responsible materials is just one part of our sustainability work. We know producing and finishing garments can also have a high environmental impact. We are committed to finding effective solutions to improve these processes.
DYEING
The dyeing process is particularly water and chemically intensive. In addition to the high volume of water needed, water can also return to the environment contaminated with hazardous substances, such as toxic chemicals, heavy metals, mordants and microfibres which are a threat to local communities and animal life.
In response to this, we’ve developed a Restricted Substances List, which all our suppliers must comply with. Our commitment to testing certifies that none of the products developed for North Sails contain any substances marked as restricted within this document, or if restricted substances are used, they are present below the established limits.
WATERPROOFING
The current process for waterproofing garments uses the durable water repellent (DWR) technology. This ensures the garment protects the wearer from the harshest conditions and prolongs the life of a garment. Once all stitches are sealed from water penetration through seam-taping, the garment is coated with the solution. Such a process also gives the garment a good durability.
The current challenge of this process is presented by the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), chemicals potentially harmful to human health that, due to their composition, are highly resistant to biological degradation. At North Sails we are continuously looking for technologies that have lower impact on people and planet and that at the same time can guarantee the level of performance for which our garments are famous.
By 2026, we aim to be 100% free of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which will include removing intentionally-added perfluorinated chemicals from our waterproofing process.
POLYGIENE® TREATMENT
We care about the health and safety of our customers, and for this reason we introduced the Polygiene® Stays Fresh Technology in our collections. Polygiene® keeps clothing fresher for longer by stopping the growth of odor-causing bacteria with a biocide made of silver chloride. This salt inhibits and guards against the growth of bacteria and fungi. Polygiene® stays effective through many more washes than any other anti-bacterial treatment. The treatment is applied to the fabric at the finishing stage of production and does not require additional resources such as water and energy.
GARMENT CARE
The longer a product lasts, the smallest its annual environmental footprint will be. That’s why we design functional products that can be used many times and over different seasons. As a customer, you can also help reduce the ecological footprint of the clothes you own.
WASH LESS, AIR MORE
With proper care, washing your clothing less will ensure they have a longer, more useful life. It will also maintain the breathability of jackets, especially, and reduce the water and energy needed for running a wash cycle.
Our products that feature polygiene treatment reduce microbes and help you cut down on your need to clean with water. Instead of washing after every use, try airing out your clothes. Wash only when garments are soiled by dirt and body oils.
REPAIR, RESELL
With fewer than 1% of garments being recycled into new clothing each year, repairing slightly damaged garments and reselling quality clothing that you are no longer wearing will keep textile waste out of landfills and the ocean.
For GORE-TEX® jackets, such as our Southern Ocean Jacket, you can take advantage of Gore-approved fabric repair kits and repair centers to extend the jacket’s lifetime.
Get in touch with our Customer Care team to request a repair.
E-mail: webcustomercare@northsails.com
Phone :
+39 334 666 2890 or +39 018 520 0555
REDUCING MICROFIBER POLLUTION
When washed, textiles shed tiny particles known as microfibers. In the case of synthetic clothing, microfibers are made of plastic, which is why they are commonly referred to as microplastics. These tiny particles easily enter waterways, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems and human health. For this reason, North Sails is committed to using natural fibers whenever possible — we have increased the cotton share in our Spring-Summer collections from 66% in 2020 to 75% in 2022. We are also piloting manufacturing technologies and fibers that shed less during use and washing.
GUPPYFRIEND™ WASHING BAG
Customers too, play a part in minimizing microplastic pollution. Every time you wash synthetic clothes, the garments shed small plastic pieces. In fact, the majority of microplastics from textiles are released during the first few washes.
North Sails is aware of the importance of garment care and wants to help you minimize the impact of laundering. You can now purchase the GUPPYFRIEND™ Washing Bag online and in all North Sails stores worldwide.The GUPPYFRIEND™ Washing Bag reduces fiber shedding and protects your clothes during laundering.
How? First, put all your synthetic clothing in the Bag before washing. Once the washing cycle is complete, open the Bag and remove all microfibres—no worries, you can throw them away in the trash.