Made without PFAS
We are transitioning all our coatings to non-fluorinated alternatives by 2025.
PFAS stands for “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances”, compounds of fluorine and carbon. The chemical was discovered by chance in 1953 and was produced as a cleaning agent. Later, it became a main ingredient in firefighting foam, food containers and, unfortunately, rainwear. The chemical bond creates a slick, water-repellent surface, allowing water to roll off instead of soaking into the fabric.
In general, it's hard for PFAS chemicals to enter the body through the skin. Wearing a coat or bag with a PFAS coating is not an immediate risk to your health. But it is known as a ‘forever chemical’; it doesn’t break down and is found throughout nature, in food and water, and in the human body. PFAS have been linked to a wide range of health risks in both human and animal studies—including cancer and hormone disruption and interference with reproductive harm.
Why only now
Despite our efforts to stay well-informed about every aspect of our production process, some details can remain outdated or unclear. For instance, we only discovered the presence of PFAS in our coating a few months ago.
Our products are Bluesign certified, a standard designed to eliminate harmful substances throughout the supply chain. Until recently, the C6 coatings we use were considered safe. The revelation that C6 coatings also contain harmful components highlights how large institutions, like Bluesign, can struggle to keep pace with new discoveries and implement rapid changes. Either way, by 2025, all Bluesign-certified factories will be prohibited from producing C6 coatings.
We generally prioritise conducting our own research and independently assessing every aspect of our production chain. We've found that this approach significantly advances our journey towards more sustainable production. We seldom unquestioningly rely on certificates and do not easily trust companies with commercial interests that promote them.
What's next
Since discovering the presence of PFAS in our coating, we've been actively transitioning to a PFC-free coating with equivalent qualities to our current one. We are implementing this change by the end of 2024. All collections launched in 2025 and onwards are PFC-free.
70D
Our 70D fabrics will be coated with RUCO-DRY® ECO ADV finish according to RUDOLF's Bionic-Finish® Eco technology.
Bionics is a field of research that involves transferring ideas from nature to technology. BIONIC-FINISH® ECO technology is inspired by nature and based on dendrimers, which are multifunctional building blocks that branch out on the textile surface. This technology creates a highly wash-resistant and fluorine-free microstructure on the treated fibre, resulting in a super-hydrophobic and durable performance.
Ruco-Dry is a water-repellent finish based on hydrophobically functional dendrimers, which is completely free of FCs. It has excellent water-repelling properties and is resistant to washing and abrasion. It is also environmentally friendly, having no environmentally persistent compounds. RUCO-DRY® ECO ADV is a product with very high bio-based raw material content and is silicone-free.
300D & 500D
By 2025, we will transition from using 300D polyester fabric to 500D nylon fabric for our bags. This change aims to achieve a uniform composition across our products. Mixed compositions in garments pose significant challenges for the post-consumer recycling industry, as all materials must be separated before processing. Additionally, nylon is stronger than polyester and will wear out more slowly, thereby enhancing the lifespan of our 300D items.
The new 500D nylon fabric has a recycled TPE coating and a fluorine-free waterproof finish.
Waterproof
A nice side effect of the new coating will be that all our items will become 10K waterproof.
Related pages
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Production
read moreThe production of our bags starts in the recycling factory, where raw materials are processed into yarns.
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Materials
read moreWe use ripstop nylon for its strength and lightweight nature, ensuring your bag lasts a long time.
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Care & Repair
read moreWe’re taking responsibility for the environment by making long-lasting products that can be repaired.
