Gore Fabrics Joins Ellen MacArthur Foundation's "Make Fashion Circular" Initiative

FELDKIRCHEN-WESTERHAM, Germany, May 16, 2018 /CNW/ - W.L. Gore's Fabrics Division is excited to announce that it is participating in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's "Make Fashion Circular" initiative. Gore Fabrics is joining forces with some 20 global brands in a commitment to develop new pathways for the textile industry informed by the principles of a circular economy.

Launched in May 2017 at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, the initiative brings together leaders from across the fashion industry, including brands, but also cities, philanthropists, NGOs and innovators. With the aim to stimulate collaboration and innovation, participants are committed to work together to build a sustainable system for a new textile economy based on three key strategies:

1. Business models that keep clothes in use
2. Materials that are renewable and safe to wear
3. Solutions that turn used clothes into new clothes

The long-term vision of the "Make Fashion Circular" initiative aligns well with Gore Fabrics' aspiration to deliver the best possible combination of high performance and low environmental footprint, allowing for durably performing products and longer usage of apparel and footwear.

Bernhard Kiehl, Gore Fabrics´ Sustainability Leader:

"We at Gore Fabrics have always taken our responsibility for the environment seriously. Therefore, we are really excited to join the "Make Fashion Circular" initiative and are very much looking forward to contributing through our expertise, in particular by sharing our science based insights about product durability. We know from our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies that the useful lifetime of functional apparel is a key factor for reducing its environmental footprint. That is why making durably performing products has always been at the heart of what we do. Certainly, we are also eager to learn from and get inspired by what others do to create a circular economy for textiles."

In addition, joining "Make Fashion Circular" opens a new page in Gore Fabrics' commitment to actively contribute to leading multi-stakeholder platforms working to overcome key sustainability issues in the textile industry. Amongst others, Gore has been a founding member to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and the Sustainability Working Groups of the US Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and the European Outdoor Group (EOG).

Please see more information on the "Make Fashion Circular" initiative under tiny.cc/circularfashion and @circularfibres #makefashioncircular

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About Gore´s Fabrics Division 

Gore Fabrics Division revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to military operations and fighting fires, Gore's deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. http://www.goretex.com

About Gore 

W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Founded in 1958, Gore has built a reputation for solving complex technical challenges in the most demanding environments - from revolutionizing the outerwear industry with GORE-TEX fabric to creating medical devices that improve and save lives to enabling new levels of performance in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and mobile electronics markets, among other industries. The company is also known for its strong, team-oriented culture and continued recognition from the Great Place to Work® Institute. Headquartered in Newark, Del., Gore employs approximately 9,500 Associates and generates annual revenues that exceed $3 billion. http://www.gore.com

SOURCE W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH