Patagonia Invests in Beyond Surface Technologies

A pioneer in sustainability, outdoor specialist Patagonia is making a strategic investment in Beyond Surface Technologies,­ a fast-growing Swiss chemical company, to improve the environmental impact of the textiles the brand uses to manufacture its performance apparel. The investment comes through Patagonia’s $20 Million & Change fund that launched in 2013 to help innovative, like-minded companies bring solutions to the environmental crisis and other positive change through business. Patagonia did not disclose the size of the investment in Beyond Surface Technologies, founded in 2008 by scientists and marketing experts with more than 40 years of experience in the textile industry with the premise of making textile treatments based on natural raw materials­ without sacrificing performance or reducing the lifespan of a product. The investment is said to be in excess of $1 million. The agreement comes as sustainability has come to the forefront in apparel and textile manufacturing, from smaller yarn and fabric firms to corporate giants such as Kering, VF Corp., H&M and Levi’s committing to programs aimed at improving their environmental footprint. Patagonia noted that chemicals are a required component in achieving the high performance needed for harsh outdoor conditions and are what makes waterproof materials stand up to torrential wilderness

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