--- title: Sustainability date: 2025-08-21T10:56:00-07:00 author: Admin Istrator canonical_url: "https://www.polartec.com/sustainability" section: Interior Pages --- [Skip to Main Content](#main-content-wrapper) Accessibility Feedback Contact Us. ### Beyond *Begins Today.* ### Beyond *Begins Today.* [Scroll For More. ](#beyond-begins-today) [Scroll For More. ](#beyond-begins-today) [ Beyond <i>Begins Today.</i> ](#beyond-begins-today) [ Our Key Drivers. ](#key-drivers) [ Our Milestones. ](#milestones) [ Products. ](#products) [ Stories. ](#fdp-stories) Jump to Section. ## Beyond *Begins Today.* What do we mean when we say 'Beyond Begins Today?' It's about recognizing that yesterday's achievements serve as a benchmark for tomorrow. Our journey began with recycled fleece in 1993, but it didn't end there; it is a journey of endless improvement and innovation. Solutions that worked yesterday must be constantly questioned, adapted, and re-imagined for the challenges facing us today. The Beyond Series hears from those who are best placed: customers, wearers and fabric innovators, on the subjects we value most: our <strong>planet,</strong> our <strong>people,</strong> and our <strong>product.</strong> They form our 3 brand pillars. ### Chapter 1. *Planet.* Eva Karlsson (CMO, Houdini Sportswear), Chris Parkes (Natural World Photographer), and Karen Beattie (Director of Product Management, Polartec) highlight the intrinsic value of our natural world. **Discover more about the goals driven by our planetary values…** [Discover More. ](https://www.polartec.com/sustainability/planet) Play Short. ### Chapter 2. *People.* Meet Sierra Quitiquit (Professional Skier and Environmentalist), Helgi Oskarsson (CEO, 66º North), and Tyler Maheu (Sales Manager). **Discover more about the people defining what it means to go beyond, and the targets we set to support them…** [Discover More. ](https://www.polartec.com/sustainability/people) Play Short. ### Chapter 3. *Product.* Paul Cosgrove (Product Director, Mammut), Sachi Koed (Mountain Climber) and Eric Yung (MD, Polartec) uncover past, present, and future product commitments. **Discover more about Polartec’s approach to premium sustainable fabric innovation…** [Discover More. ](https://www.polartec.com/sustainability/product) Play Short. ## Our 3 *Key Drivers.* Polartec drives product innovation with an unwavering commitment to <strong>1. Reduce impact:</strong> Minimize our environmental footprint across the supply chain, <strong>2. Extend lifespan:</strong> Design for durability, longevity, and slower fashion cycles, <strong>3. Enable circularity:</strong> Support reuse, recycling, and regenerative material systems. When we develop a new product, we ask ourselves, 'Is the technology born from and serving at least one of these key driving principles?' We hear from industry leaders on the real-world products, technologies, and scientific guidance that drive Polartec today. ### The Úlpa **The Úlpa.** What is an Ulpa, and how does this approach to garment design help to reduce our impact? Helgi Oskarsson (CEO, 66º North) explains. Discover More. Play Short. ![Slider Image](https://polartec-polartec.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/img/Ulpa-popup_2025-08-21-180453_iksj.png?w=639&h=720&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1755799493&s=e4d82eaf916c857318ea3ae833865dda) Made with Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro ### The Promise of the Úlpa Against a backdrop of rugged landscapes and biting winds, the úlpa is far more than a jacket or coat. It’s a symbol of resilience shaped by the raw and untamed elements of the North, and a testament to generations of people who lived with less and made everything last longer. “We are in a world of overconsumption. If there can be companies who can promote something that lasts longer, that’s worth everything." – Helgi Oskarrson In the first piece of Polartec’s Beyond Begins Today series, Helgi Oskarrson, CEO of 66°North, shares how tradition, responsibility, and technical innovation come together to engineer clothing for generations. For Helgi and his team, it’s not about following trends but about making clothes that stay with you, season after season, year after year. Like the úlpa. At Polartec, we believe that true sustainability begins with durability. Which is why our fabrics are made to do more than perform. They’re made to endure, so that garments can be worn, repaired, and passed down across generations, reducing the need to buy new garments and lowering the impact on the planet. Together with 66°North, we’re building something meant to last, with planet conscious\* fabrics like Power Shield™ Pro, made with Biolon\*\* plant-based\*\*\* nylon. Because in the end, true innovation isn’t only about what’s new, it’s about what stays. Our commitment to the planet is embedded in the materials we choose and the technologies we pioneer. This careful combination of environmental responsibility and technical innovation defines our approach and resonates with visionaries like Helgi. **\***The Biolon™ nylon plant-based content within Power Shield™ Pro reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers carbon footprint by up to 50% compared with virgin Nylon-6,6. **\*\***Biolon™ is a trademark of Milliken & Company. **\*\*\***Biolon™ plant-based inputs account for about 45-48% of the nylon in our fabrics and membranes, which lowers carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels by 50%, without impacting on human food sources. [Power Shield™ Pro ](https://www.polartec.com/fabrics/weather-protection/power-shield-pro) ### Smarter Chemistry. **Smarter Chemistry.** Our very own, Karen Beattie (Director of Product Management), talks smarter chemistries and fabric innovation. Discover More. Play Short. ![Slider Image](https://polartec-polartec.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/img/2048-x-2048.png?w=2048&h=2048&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1764615136&s=32030a9678b6638d306aebe960606f0b) Made with Polartec® Fleece Series ### Smarter Chemistry. What is ‘Smarter Chemistry,’ and how does it help us engineer more durable solutions for our partners and consumers? Watch Karen Beattie, (Director of Product Management, Polartec) in the second of our trilogy of Beyond Begins Today shorts, as she details the safer, more sustainable processes employed by Polartec today. \#BeyondBeginsToday #Polartec #SmarterChemistry #ShedLess #MadeToGoBeyond [Fleece Series ](https://www.polartec.com/fabrics/insulation/fleece-series) ### 即将推出。 **Planetary Boundaries.** How can environmental science inspire better product innovation? Eva Karlsson (CMO, Houdini Sportswear) tells us more. [Coming Soon. ](/) Play Short. ### How We're Going Beyond. - #### Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. #### *Key Driver.* #### Further Reading. - #### Introduced Biolon™ Plant-Based Nylon. Biolon™ Nylon reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers our carbon footprint by up to 50%\*\*. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Committed to achieving specific Net Zero impacts by 2030. Our parent company Milliken & Company, has committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50.4% and scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. *1. Reduce impact. 2\. Extend lifespan. 3\. Enable circularity.* Further Reading. [View our SBTi Targets. ](https://www.polartec.com/about/milliken-company-sustainability-report-2024) - #### Natural performance. We're increasing our use of wool and lyocell in fabric constructions, and were introducing a 34% hemp containing fleece. *1. Reduce impact. 2\. Extend lifespan.* - #### Deigning to enable circularity. #### *Key Driver.* - #### Fabrics made from recycled bottles. Over 200 fabric styles are made from 50-100% recycled PCR plastic bottles. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Polartec are the pioneers of manufacturing recycled fleece. In 1993 we made the first fleece using recycled content. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### First waterproof-breathable fabric designed to enable circularity. In 2024 we announced our first waterproof-breathable fabric designed to enable circularity as part of our Power Shield™ family. Through our partner brands we can enable processes to achieve the end goal of a fully circular garment-to-garment process. *1. Reduce impact.* Further Reading. [View the Power Shield ™ family. ](https://www.polartec.com/fabrics/weather-protection/power-shield-family) - #### Recycled materials. Increasing our use of recycled polyester, to include both mechanically and chemically recycled yarns, and increasing use of recycled nylon. Recycled nylon yarns are transitioning from 50% to 100% recycled content. All recycled fabrics to be 3rd party certified with available scope and transaction certificates by the end of 2025. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Decreasing microfiber shedding. #### *Key Driver.* - #### Shed up to 85% less<span>▲</span>. Our Shed Less technology and Power Air™ fabrics release up to 85% less<span>▲</span> fiber fragments on average during home laundering. *1. Reduce impact.* Further Reading. [Explore Shed Less Technology ](https://www.polartec.com/shed-less) - #### Setting the standard. We helped set the industry standards to measure fibre fragment shedding. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Pioneers of best practices. We developed manufacturing best practices for vacuuming and collecting loose fibres from surface finishing. These are upcycled into durable goods like automotive sound-proofing insulation. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Using non-PFAs materials. #### *Key Driver.* - #### Leading the industry. We achieved non-PFAs materials in all our products by the end of 2022, before any mandates. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Reducing fossil fuels usage. #### *Key Driver.* - #### Over 2.5 billion recycled plastic bottles. Over the past three decades of manufacturing we've used over 2.5 billion recycled plastic bottles to engineer our fabrics. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Over 60% PCR fabrics. Over 60% of our fabrics are made from post-consumer recycled materials. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Designing for longevity. #### *Key Driver.* - #### Made to last longer. Our fabrics are made to last longer, durable for generations, which in turn is reducing our impact on the planet. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Saving water through efficiency. #### *Key Driver.* - #### Saving up to 7.5 litres per yard. We've engineered new ways to add color to textiles, that can save up to 7.5 litres of water per yard of fabric. *1. Reduce impact.* - #### Beyond the standard. We use water filtration and capture systems that go above and beyond government standards. *1. Reduce impact.* \*Biolon™ is a trademark of Milliken & Company. \*\*Compared with virgin Nylon-6,6. <span>▲</span>According to AATCC 212 2021, up to 85% less fiber fragments are shed on average during home laundering, when compared to the base line fabric. --- ## Sustainable Stories. [ ![The Beyond Stories: Kostüme]() ### The Beyond Stories: Kostüme ](https://www.polartec.com/news/the-beyond-stories-kostume) [ ![Featured Partner: Tracksmith]() ### Featured Partner: Tracksmith ](https://www.polartec.com/news/featured-partner-tracksmith) [ ![Partner Product Launch: Portal X Polartec®]() ### Partner Product Launch: Portal X Polartec® ](https://www.polartec.com/news/-portal-polartec-2025-launch) [ ![Polartec® AirCore™ Earns ISPO AWARD 2025]() ### Polartec® AirCore™ Earns ISPO AWARD 2025 ](https://www.polartec.com/news/polartec-aircore-earns-ispo-award-2025) [ ![Featured Partner: Mammut]() ### Featured Partner: Mammut ](https://www.polartec.com/news/featured-partner-mammut) [ ![Partner Product Launch: Sportful x Polartec | Layer Beyond Limits]() ### Partner Product Launch: Sportful x Polartec | Layer Beyond Limits ](https://www.polartec.com/news/partner-product-launch-polartec-x-sportful-layer-beyond-limits) [ ![Partner Product Launch: Sportful Fiandre 2 Jacket X Polartec® Aircore™]() ### Partner Product Launch: Sportful Fiandre 2 Jacket X Polartec® Aircore™ ](https://www.polartec.com/news/partner-product-launch-sportful-fiandre-2-jacket-x-polartec-aircore) [ ![Featured Partner: Passenger]() ### Featured Partner: Passenger ](https://www.polartec.com/news/featured-partner-passenger) [ ![Partner Product Release: Polartec® X Fulcrum Sharq All-Terrain Wheels]() ### Partner Product Release: Polartec® X Fulcrum Sharq All-Terrain Wheels ](https://www.polartec.com/news/partner-product-launch-polartec-x-fulcrum-sharq-all-terrain-wheels) [ ![Partner Product Launch: New Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 Jacket X Polartec®]() ### Partner Product Launch: New Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 Jacket X Polartec® ](https://www.polartec.com/news/partner-product-launch-new-castelli-perfetto-ros-3-jacket-x-polartec) [ ![Featured Partner: La Sportiva]() ### Featured Partner: La Sportiva ](https://www.polartec.com/news/featured-partner-la-sportiva) [ ![Featured Partner: Berghaus]() ### Featured Partner: Berghaus ](https://www.polartec.com/news/featured-partner-berghaus) [ ![Featured Partner: Santini]() ### Featured Partner: Santini ](https://www.polartec.com/news/featured-partner-santini-2) [ ![Circular Design Innovation with Politecnico di Milano and Castelli Cycling]() ### Circular Design Innovation with Politecnico di Milano and Castelli Cycling ](https://www.polartec.com/news/circular-design-innovation-with-politecnico-di-milano-and-castelli-cycling) [ ![Partner Product Release: Velocio Alpha Zero Vest X Polartec®]() ### Partner Product Release: Velocio Alpha Zero Vest X Polartec® ](https://www.polartec.com/news/partner-product-release-velocio-alpha-zero-vest-x-polartec) [ ![Featured Partner: Thuja]() ### Featured Partner: Thuja ](https://www.polartec.com/news/featured-partner-thuja) [View All. ](/news?Category=Sustainability) ## Beyond The Original. Made to last longer. Up to 85% less microfibers are shed on average during home laundering. [Explore Fleece Series. ](https://www.polartec.com/fabrics/insulation/fleece-series) ## Go Beyond, Today. From industry insider access, to community updates, be the first to know what we’re doing next. ## Welcome in. ### From Industry insider access to community updates, stay in the loop with everything we do. ### Polartec® Accessibility Feedback. We are committed to making our website accessible to all users. Please provide feedback on how we can improve. Looks like you're visiting from a different country. Would you like to switch to your local site? [ English ](https://www.polartec.com/sustainability) [ Chinese ](https://www.polartec.com/cn/sustainability)