Allied Feather + Down, NetPlus, Pertex and Resortecs are joining forces with the Swedish backcountry ski apparel makers at Peak Performance to introduce the new Helium Loop Anorak, proving that advanced design, in collaboration with the right partners, can create real change.

Until now, performance products that combine multiple materials, such as natural down insulation, zippers and elastic trims, have been nearly impossible to recycle due to the complexity of disassembly at the end-of-life.

“For years now, brands have wanted to introduce more circularity into their products, but the onus has fallen on their ingredient partners and startups to make that happen,” said Matthew Betcher, Allied Feather creative director. “The reality is that garments need to be designed for circularity before any sense of recyclability can even start to be possible. That is why we are excited to bring our areas of expertise as ingredient brands to Peak Performance to build, from the very beginning, a truly circular product. What is even more exciting is that this project can stand as a beacon for entire product lines in the future.”

Each Peak Performance partner brings a unique aspect to the product.

Allied supplies the 800-fill power down, which is a renewable, recyclable and biodegradable insulation, making it perfect for this product. NetPlus is converting fishing net waste, rescued before it pollutes the ocean and converted into 100% PCR nylon yarn. NetPlus yarn is then woven by Pertex to create the shell and liner for the Helium Loop. Resortecs makes Smart Stitch, a heat-activated thread that enables easy material separation. At the end of the product’s lifespan, the stitching melts away with Smart Disassembly under controlled conditions, allowing the down plumes and shell material to be taken apart and recycled individually.

 “The core insight is that true circularity isn’t about accepting compromises, it’s about engineering garments to be unmade as thoughtfully as they’re made,” said Peak Performance project manager Marie Andersson. “Our R&D Helium Loop proves that when premium materials meet thoughtful disassembly design with end-of-life in mind, circularity becomes a performance advantage as every component maintains its highest value across multiple lifecycles.”

www.peakperformance.com