Home » Environment

Polartec’s Breakthrough: Eliminating PFAS for Truly Sustainable Performance Fabrics

Polartec sets an industry-first by removing PFAS from all fabrics, protecting health and the environment without sacrificing performance.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Polartec sets an industry-first by removing PFAS from all fabrics, protecting health and the environment without sacrificing performance.

Polartec’s Milestone: Eliminating PFAS from All Performance Fabrics

Polartec, a global leader in technical performance fabrics, has taken a bold step for both environmental safety and the outdoor industry: it has eliminated all PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from its entire range of products. This move positions the company at the forefront of sustainable innovation, proving it is possible to produce durable, high-performance textiles without harmful chemicals. Polartec’s commitment redefines what consumers and industries can expect from technical fabrics, ushering in a new standard for environmental responsibility and product quality.

Understanding PFAS: The “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS are a large class of synthetic chemicals that have been used since the 1940s. Their unique ability to resist water, stains, and grease has made them common in products ranging from rain gear and outdoor equipment to non-stick cookware and fast-food wrappers. However, their persistence in the environment—sometimes for thousands of years—has earned them the moniker “forever chemicals.”

Widespread use: PFAS are found in thousands of consumer and industrial products.
Health risks: Linked to cancer, kidney disease, low birth weights, immune suppression, and endocrine disruption.
Environmental impact: PFAS contaminate waterways and build up in living organisms, threatening wildlife and human communities worldwide.

This recognition has spurred increasing public concern and prompted regulatory action, urging manufacturers to search for alternatives and phase out PFAS wherever possible.

Polartec’s Path to a PFAS-Free Future

With the hazards of PFAS well-documented, the textile industry—especially outdoor and performance brands—has faced mounting pressure to find safer solutions. Polartec responded not by settling for available alternatives, but by pioneering its own non-PFAS weather protection fabric treatments, under its EcoEngineering™ initiative .

Comprehensive elimination: As of the end of 2022, every Polartec product, from hard shells to fleeces, is manufactured with PFAS-free treatments.
Broad application: The new non-PFAS treatments are now used in weather-resistant, waterproof, insulation, and moisture-managing fabrics—covering products like Hardface®, Power Shield®, Power Shield® Pro, NeoShell®, Windbloc®, Thermal Pro®, and Alpha® .
Zero loss in performance: Laboratory and field tests have demonstrated equal or improved performance, durability, and water repellency with the new chemistry .
Innovation and sustainability: The transition was a technical challenge, as available alternatives had not met Polartec’s standards for breathability, durability, and weather protection .

What Sets Polartec’s Solution Apart?

While some manufacturers began phasing out PFAS years ago, Polartec’s approach is notable for:

Developing proprietary technology: Polartec spent years investing in and fine-tuning new PFAS-free chemistries rather than adopting existing—but lower-performing—market solutions .
Maintaining performance: The company’s new fabric finishes deliver durability and water repellency typical of traditional DWR (durable water repellant) treatments yet do so without any “forever chemicals.” Users see no compromise in tactile feel, longevity, or outdoor functionality .
Application across all major lines: Innovations extend from hard shells to insulation and fleece, encompassing products that handle extreme weather and strenuous use.

Testing and Endorsement by Industry Leaders

According to Mike Rose, Polartec’s VP of Product Development, “trial results have exceeded even our expectations—there is no loss of performance from a water repellency or durability standpoint.”
President Steve Layton describes the achievement as a significant step in the company’s “commitment to sustainably made performance fabrics.”
Michael Cattanach, Polartec’s global product director, emphasized that this is not the end of their sustainability journey, but “the latest step” in ongoing eco-engineering efforts .

Technical Innovation: Beyond PFAS-Free

Polartec’s sustainability initiatives are not limited to eliminating PFAS. They reflect a broader strategy to reimagine high-performance textiles with minimal environmental impact.

Power Shield™ RPM: A revolutionary new membrane made from recycled polyester, providing 10,000mm of water resistance and 20,000g/m²/24h breathability—outperforming most industry standards, without harmful chemicals .
Shed Less™ Technology: Reduces microplastic pollution in fleece fabrics, a significant concern as synthetic textiles are a major source of ocean microfibers .
NeoShell®: Known for its active breathability and waterproofing, now manufactured without PFAS, providing both weather protection and eco-conscious design .
Ongoing material innovation: The use of recycled inputs further reduces reliance on fossil fuels and shrinks overall carbon footprint .

Industry Context: Why Polartec’s Move Matters

PFAS contamination is a growing global scandal, with headlines about contaminated water, failed cleanups, and lawsuits against companies whose PFAS-laden products seeped into local ecosystems. Many outdoor brands, including Patagonia, REI, and The North Face, have faced regulatory and consumer scrutiny for the chemicals used in performance gear. While several have pledged to restrict or phase out PFAS, Polartec is among the first large-scale manufacturers to achieve total elimination across all product lines .

Regulatory shifts: Governments in the European Union and parts of the United States are mandating or considering bans on PFAS in textiles and consumer goods.
Consumer demand: Outdoor enthusiasts, eco-conscious buyers, and health advocates are increasingly seeking “PFAS-free” assurances in the products they buy.
Corporate leadership: Polartec’s achievement sets a new bar for the industry and is likely to spark further innovation and competition on sustainability fronts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the main health concerns with PFAS?

PFAS are linked to cancers, liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased immunity, and developmental problems. They accumulate in human bodies and the environment over time.

How does Polartec’s non-PFAS treatment compare in performance?

Independent tests and Polartec’s internal benchmarks show that their non-PFAS DWR treatments equal or surpass traditional PFAS-based treatments in water repellency, durability, and breathability .

Are other outdoor brands PFAS-free?

Some brands have started to phase out PFAS in select product lines, but Polartec is one of the few major manufacturers to eliminate PFAS from its entire fabric portfolio .

Which Polartec products are now PFAS-free?

Every product, including Hardface®, Power Shield®, Power Shield® Pro, NeoShell®, Windbloc®, Thermal Pro®, Alpha®, and more, is now produced using the new non-PFAS water-repellent technology .

Is Polartec continuing to improve sustainability?

Yes. The company is actively researching new eco-friendly materials, recycling processes, and solutions to other pollution concerns like microplastic shedding .

Polartec’s Commitment to Continuous Eco-Innovation

Eliminating PFAS is not the finish line for Polartec. Instead, it is a milestone on a longer journey to reimagine high-performance textiles for a world increasingly defined by environmental constraints and consumer demands for transparency. As Karen Beattie, Director of Product Management at Polartec, notes: “There’s really no limit to what we call eco-engineering. We’re not just about recycling anymore. We’re constantly trying to do whatever we can do to make our products as clean as they can be.”

The company’s ongoing focus includes:

Advanced fabric engineering that reduces waste, emissions, and plastic pollution.
Sourcing and using recycled materials in a growing percentage of products.
Collaborating on industry standards that accelerate sustainable innovation across the textile sector.

Quick Comparison Table: PFAS-Based Fabrics VS Polartec’s Non-PFAS Fabrics

Feature	PFAS-Based Fabrics (Traditional DWR)	Polartec Non-PFAS Fabrics (New DWR)
Water Repellency	Excellent	Excellent
Durability	Long-lasting	Long-lasting
Breathability	Variable	Excellent
Environmental Impact	Persistent pollution; health risks	Minimized toxins; eco-friendly
Regulatory Status	Increasingly restricted/banned	Compliant and future-proof
Recycled Content	Often minimal or none	High, especially in new fabric lines

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Consumers and the Industry

Polartec’s industry-first achievement creates momentum for textile innovation in line with global health and environmental priorities. Consumers can now expect top-tier technical apparel without the legacy costs of PFAS contamination. For others in the industry, the message is clear: truly sustainable performance can no longer be an afterthought.

Sustainable shopping: Look for PFAS-free labels when buying outdoor and performance gear.
Question product origins: Insist on transparency about chemical use and environmental practices.
Hold brands accountable: Support companies that set and meet ambitious eco-standards.

Key Takeaways

Polartec has eliminated PFAS from all products, making it a leader in safe, sustainable performance textiles.
Innovation has not come at the expense of fabric quality; the new chemistry matches or exceeds previous performance standards in water repellency, durability, and breathability.
This move is part of a larger eco-engineering strategy aimed at reducing pollution, using recycled resources, and paving the way for a circular textile economy.
The industry is shifting as consumer demand and regulation require safer, planet-friendly performance materials.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete