During the production process, there are countless decisions to be made regarding fabric, cut, and little details that give a piece its character.
While the brand loves to experiment, one area in which they focus is sustainability, and this became especially prevalent when choosing their durable water-repellent (DWR) chemical coating.
While they want their apparel to offer the best possible protection for wearers against moisture, there’s also the environmental impact—and personal health—to take into consideration as well. There’s a wide range of DWR treatment options available, and finding the best spray is just as important as the material itself.
“The cost-benefit analysis lands clearly on the side of avoiding forever chemicals,” says Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, Founder and CEO of LIVSN. “We now use only PFC-free DWR treatments across our product range. It makes us happy to know we can provide top-level performance without jeopardizing our audience’s health or environmental well-being.”
The Dirty Secrets of C8 & C6 DWR Spray
In the past DWR sprays like C8 and C6 were used throughout the outdoor apparel industry (and beyond) as a cheap and effective way to give a material water repellency.
These little designators refer to the long-chain fluorocarbon-based chemical carbons (PFC or PFOAs), specifically the number of carbons in each chain. While C8 is extremely effective at warding off water, the chemical is so stable it takes decades to break down in the environment. Its usage has also been linked to serious health detrimental effects on liver and reproductive health.
There have been several lawsuits centered on this issue, and the EU outright banned C8 usage beyond 2015. The development and use of the C6 spray was seen as a step in the right direction, but with the same root issues present for consumers and the environment alike.
The outdoor apparel industry’s desire for a durable yet sustainable DWR solution has persisted for almost a decade now. LIVSN knew they wanted to move away from C6 as soon as they could find a solution. Every apparel company must decide what spray best suits their needs, and for them, LIVSN believes they’ve found the answer.
Their Solution – Zelan C0 Spray
Their sourcing search has taken them far and wide, from their production partners in northern Vietnam to Swedish mills in the Alps for their new ventile-based jacket. This fabric has a long history in itself, and using PFC-laden DWR sprays strips the ventile fibers of their natural status, hindering their ability to swell and general longevity.
When taken in tandem with the detrimental health and environmental effects, LIVSN knew they had to use a spray that better serves their customers while still offering enhanced water protection for both the jacket and other products.
A brand-new PFC-free DWR spray, Zelan C0, was first proposed and recommended by their Swedish mill and its plant-based, non-fluoridated sourcing made it an ideal fit for their apparel. Benefits highlights include:
Bluesign-approved for ecological and toxicological requirements
High-level moisture production on natural and synthetic fibers
Maintain fabric breathability
Washable without losing protective elements
They’ve found the Zelan C0 spray suits their needs precisely by offering their end-customer reliable protection from moisture without incurring a high ecological cost or health risk. Since they discovered the spray, the brand has made Zelan their default DWR spray for everything from their Ecotrek pants, women’s shorts, and the upcoming Century Jacket.
An Industry in Motion
While apparel technology might not move at the blazing speed of other sectors, advances do occur, and even incremental improvements to sustainability can have a massive impact upon the environment over time.
LIVSN has always been on the lookout to be aware of and implement all the newest, best options available to make their products safe, sustainable, and effective in the field. Whether it’s the material they source or the DWR coating layers, there’s always room to improve each year with each iteration of their products.
Keeping pace with the industry—and a step ahead when they can—is a moving puzzle of a challenge they are happy to continually work for with their apparel design sourcing and design strategy.