The first plastic-free technical sportswear has been developed by SailGP, a renowned sports league, in partnership with Mover, a pioneer in 100% plastic-free clothing.
72% of respondents in a 2023 survey of 1,500 individuals in the US, UK, and Switzerland for SailGP said they would prefer plastic-free sportswear if it became available.
A capsule collection created by SailGP and Mover is already available for purchase. Six pieces, including T-shirts, polos, and fleece hoodies, are part of this capsule collection. They are all made entirely of natural fibers, have plastic-free stitching and labeling, and use water-based printing.
To achieve the technological requirements of high-performance clothes, the industry now supports synthetic fibers as the sole workable answer. This project challenges that status quo.
Nylon, polyester, and acrylic are three examples of synthetic fibers that make up 69% of all fibers used globally. By 2030, this percentage is projected to rise to over 75%. These fibers, which come from fossil fuels, exacerbate the crisis of plastic waste and primary microplastic pollution.
“We’re incredibly excited to be joining forces with Mover after two years of development to rethink sports performance clothing with plastic-free materials, a cause very close to my heart,” said Fiona Morgan, Chief Purpose Officer, SailGP. This goal-driven teamwork shows that if you innovate and redesign the standard, change is feasible.
This pilot project intends to show that high-performance textiles may be produced without relying on fossil-fuel fibers by testing plastic-free technical sportswear in some of the most difficult settings.
“Our partnership with SailGP is a fantastic opportunity to prove that natural fibers can excel in one of the most demanding sports on the planet,” said Nicolas Rochat, CEO and Founder of Mover. Our materials, which are the most sophisticated and technically advanced, are created for natural digestion.
SailGP and Mover’s partnership is supported by A Plastic Planet, a group that strives to encourage people throughout the world to use less plastic.
The plastic epidemic can seem daunting because billions of pieces of plastic are still being dumped into our oceans and soil, according to Sian Sutherland, founder of A Plastic Planet. However, things don’t have to be this way. By using advanced performance textiles made of natural, genuinely breathable materials, Mover is demonstrating that we can stop adding to the plastic pollution problem with each wear and wash. We are extremely pleased to have Mover join forces with SailGP to demonstrate the feasibility of transformation.
54 percent of respondents to the study said they were either unclear or uninformed of any effects that chemicals used in synthetic technical apparel may have on human health or the environment.
Concerns have been raised about several chemicals used in the treatment of synthetic fabrics, including the carcinogen anthracycline and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are now frequently referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their toxicity, persistence, and capacity to build up in the environment. Recycled polyester emits the same toxic substances as any virgin plastic, including Bisphenol A (BPA), which can lead to developmental problems, serious eye damage, respiratory irritation, skin allergies, and reproductive harm. As a result, recycled polyester does not provide a long-lasting solution to the issues associated with synthetic materials.
