ALLIED Feather + Down, a company focused on responsibly sourced and sustainably processed down, has released the findings of a carbon footprint audit conducted at its Hangzhou, China facility.
According to results reported by Green Threads DPP, ALLIED’s cradle-to-gate down processing produces 85% less carbon emissions than the estimated industry average.
The audit specifically examined down processing and used facility and supply chain data to quantify the associated carbon footprint. The assessment provides brands with a benchmark for evaluating the carbon impact of sourced down and the processes involved in preparing it for finished products.
“We’ve known for years that down plays an important role in building a more circular and lower-impact apparel value chain,” said Daniel Uretsky, President of ALLIED Feather + Down. “These audited results allow us to put real numbers behind that belief. The data shows that our processing methods deliver a dramatically lower carbon footprint than other down providers, giving brands objective information they can use when making material decisions.”
Audit Records 0.48 Kg CO₂e per KG of Down
The audit reported that ALLIED’s processing methods generated 0.48 Kg CO₂e per KG of down. This is approximately 85% lower than the estimated industry average of 3.2 Kg CO₂e per Kg for conventional down and 57.9% lower than published figures of 1.14 Kg CO₂e per Kg for recycled down.
The assessment also reported that the carbon footprint of ALLIED’s down is 95% lower than the estimated carbon footprint of polyester fibres used in alternative insulation.
Green Threads DPP, which conducted the audit as a supply chain carbon audit specialist, assessed greenhouse gas emissions associated with ALLIED’s down processing operation. The evaluation included the slaughterhouse impact, transportation and processing at ALLIED’s facility in China.
Water Reclamation and Energy Measures at Hangzhou Facility
The reported results follow work carried out by ALLIED across its global facilities and supply chain partnerships.
At the Hangzhou facility, 95% of all water is reused through on-site water reclamation, with approximately 5% lost to evaporation. The facility also uses solar power and efficiency measures intended to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
ALLIED’s partnership with its detergent supplier has also resulted in the development of eco-friendly detergents designed to work in cold water and rinse more easily. According to the company, this reduces the water required for additional rinse cycles as well as energy and gas consumption.
“These results reinforce what makes ALLIED’s down unique within the global insulation category,” added Uretsky. “Not only is down a renewable material that already exists as a byproduct of the food industry, but when combined with our processing methods, it also creates significantly less carbon. That’s a powerful combination for brands looking to reduce environmental impact without compromising performance.”
Carbon Data Linked to Digital Product Passport Requirements
As Digital Product Passport requirements develop, apparel and outdoor brands will require access to material-level carbon data. ALLIED stated that the audited information can support material selection, sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance.
The information is currently available to ALLIED partner brands and is expected to become available to others through its TrackMyDown hangtags and TrackMyDown website.
ALLIED’s down carbon footprint calculations use annual data covering energy, water, wastewater and detergent consumption. The calculations are produced in accordance with:
- ISO14067: 2018 Carbon Footprint of Products
- PAS2050: 2011 Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services
- Product Category Rules – Apparel, Except Fur and Leather Apparel (PCR 2024:03)
Basis of Carbon Footprint Comparisons
For comparison, the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) database reports a carbon footprint of 4.15 Kg CO₂e per Kg of virgin down. This assessment includes the raising of the birds, which is estimated by the published IDFB LCA to account for approximately 23% of the total.
ALLIED Feather + Down’s calculation of processing-related environmental impacts in China includes the slaughterhouse impact, transportation and final processing at its China facility, but does not include the raising of the birds. After removing the estimated impact of raising the birds based on the IDFB LCA, the PEF database indicates an estimated processing impact of 3.2 Kg CO₂e per Kg of down.
The recycled down figures do not include impacts associated with the collection of post-consumer goods or industrial delivery and recycling centres. The recycled down carbon footprint figures are drawn from the PEF database.
The comparison with polyester fibre is based on ALLIED’s cradle-to-gate down processing data and estimated polyester fibre production data reported in ecoinvent version 3.12, using the IPCC 2021 100-year global warming potential. The comparison does not include upstream impacts associated with petroleum extraction and refining for polyester production.
ALLIED to Attend Textile Industry Events
ALLIED will attend the Functional Textiles show in Shanghai, Performance Days in Munich, and Functional Fabric Fair in Portland this fall.