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Duvaltex and Steelcase use recycled marine litter textile

Thomas Julia ,

Brands are definitely committed to the environment. Duvaltex, a world leader in commercial textiles, and Steelcase, its equivalent in office furniture, announce the release of Intersection. Intersection is an exclusive fabric for Steelcase screens and panels. The big news is that this fabric was produced in partnership with the Seaqual Initiative. An organization that campaigns for the transformation of marine plastic waste into fully traceable recyclable products.

Intersection is the very first textile produced using Clean Impact Textiles oceanic plastics upgrading technology. Focus on this great advance in recycling. Which definitely places the textile sector as being at the forefront on the subject. Because he needed to reinvent himself.

Ecological fabric and manufacturing know-how

All Ocean Waste Clean Impact textiles are made with recycled polyester from ocean plastic waste. Seaqual Initiative has been working since 2016 with fishermen, NGOs and several other stakeholders to collect waste and clean the oceans. The collected waste is then classified, separated and cleaned. Plastics are processed and recycled as textiles. Duvaltex states that for every ton of textile produced, up to half a ton of waste is removed from our oceans.

Duvaltex has established itself for more than 20 years as a leader in the production of sustainable textiles. She wanted to go further, as evidenced by Alain Duval, its CEO. “As a pioneer of sustainable development, we have a responsibility to inspire our industry to preserve our planet for future generations. Our goal with Clean Impact Textiles is to reduce as much as possible the environmental impact of textile manufacturing by innovating in the way products are purchased, manufactured and disposed of at the end of their life ”. Ocean Waste Clean Impact Textiles is the second advanced technology launched under the umbrella of Duvaltex’s Clean Impact Textiles brand. After the 100% biodegradable NeoCon textile in 2019.

The birth of Intersection

Available in 17 different colors, Intersection is fully recyclable. It was Duvaltex who spurred the movement, drawing on his expertise. “When Duvaltex came to us, they had this amazingly beautiful fabric that met not only all of our technical needs in terms of app and display design, but also this hugely important environmental story,” says Kari Miller, Head of produced at Steelcase.

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The products in the Intersection range are designed with a small crisscross pattern woven alongside a subtle pleat. The rendering being a three-dimensional visual rarely seen elsewhere. The 17 colors in the range are rather fresh and contemporary. Intersection products can be applied to a wide range of displays and panels, such as VIA, Mackinac and Steelcase Flex.

Textiles must improve their ecological impact

Textiles must improve their ecological impact Today, 90 million tonnes of textile fibers are produced per year in the world. Due to the growing world population, this number is expected to double by 2040. Textiles like nylon and polyester have a major negative impact on the environment. There is therefore an urgent need for the sector to reinvent itself. Cotton occupies a lot of cultivable land. A problem as the challenge of feeding the population arises more and more.

Removing marine litter while producing textiles, the idea has the gift of being revolutionary. We know the disasters caused in particular by plastic. Especially when it strangles the turtles. A great initiative that is once again part of a circular economy logic. For the greatest happiness of the planet.