Spotted: Neoprene – used widely in waterwear – was invented in 1930 out of petroleum-based chemicals. However, an alternative made without petroleum products was actually developed in the 1960s. This uses calcium carbonate from limestone and has become common in most high-end wetsuits as a sustainable and high-performance option. However, limestone neoprene is often lined with nylon – a fabric also derived from petroleum.
Now, Dutch ‘water fashion’ brand Wallien is taking sustainability one step further by replacing all virgin petroleum-based materials in its wetsuits. The company’s suits originally all used a Lycra that consisted largely of recycled materials derived from pre- and post-industrial waste, such as discarded fishing nets and carpets.
However, Wallien’s newest wetsuit range, the Horizonia range, is made from Yulex, a natural latex rubber that is ‘tapped’ (like maple syrup) from the rubber tree Hevea Brasiliensis. Because the rubber trees Yulex is derived from absorb CO2, the wetsuits made using this material are actually more sustainable than those made from limestone neoprene. The trees are all grown on sustainably managed plantations certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
The company goes even further, packaging all its wetsuits in recyclable cardboard and bio-plastic bags made from corn. Wallien also aims to limit transport pollution by working with manufacturers close to its distribution warehouse in Amsterdam. And all of this commitment to sustainability pays off. The company has annual revenues of around $5 million (around €4.7 million) and an impressive following of professional surfers.
There is no shortage of innovations replacing petroleum-derived products with more sustainable alternatives. Some recent ones spotted by Springwise include sustainable packaging options and a polystyrene foam replacement made from agri-waste.
Written By: Lisa Magloff