PrimaLoft Insulation ThermoPlume
Major clothing insulation brand PrimaLoft will unveil what it calls a groundbreaking new synthetic material at an upcoming trade show.
The US brand’s ThermoPlume is said to mimic the look and feel of natural down and can be used in traditional down-blowing manufacturing equipment.
PrimaLoft will launch the new insulation at the upcoming ISPO show in Germany. UK outdoor brand Montane is one of the companies that will use ThermoPlume in its garments.
PrimaLoft said: “ThermoPlume features a unique blend of water-resistant PrimaLoft fibres that deliver insulating loft, wet-weather protection and compressibility.
“It mimics the fluidity, feel and aesthetics of goose down in a synthetic fibre. Groundbreaking for the industry, PrimaLoft Insulation ThermoPlume offers an ethical and water-resistant synthetic alternative to down, guaranteeing warmth even in wet conditions.
“It delivers thermal properties equivalent to 550 fill power down to market for the first time.
“PrimaLoft Insulation ThermoPlume is manufactured with small, silky tufts of fibre plumes that collectively form a loose fill insulation, replicating the lightweight warmth, softness and compressibility of natural goose down.
“Its construction allows it to be blown through traditional down-blowing manufacturing equipment, simplifying the manufacturing process for brands, enabling product designers the freedom to create innovative garments which combines the look and feel of down with the water-resistant performance of a synthetic.”
Montane's Icarus jacket will use the new insulation
Montane will use the new filling in its men’s Icarus and women’s Phoenix jackets for autumn-winter 2017, with designs for both layering and standalone use.
Lottie Watkinson, design manager at Montane, said: “PrimaLoft’s new all-synthetic ThermoPlume insulation enables us to leverage the benefits of synthetic down through the same efficient production methods as natural down.
“Mimicking natural down more closely than ever before and adding all the wet-weather performance advantages of PrimaLoft, our design team is excited to add those innovative properties into our new Icarus and Phoenix Jackets, to bring consumers cutting edge, down-centric styles.
“The packability and thermal efficiency of PrimaLoft Insulation ThermoPlume is an integral part of our technical yet versatile autumn winter 2017 insulation portfolio.”
Jochen Lagemann, managing director of PrimaLoft Europe and Asia, said: “PrimaLoft Insulation ThermoPlume is not only the highest performing blowable synthetic insulation, but also fills a growing demand for innovation from designers, brands and consumers looking to move away from down and improving the performance.
“Providing a blowable, high-performing synthetic that acts as a true replacement for down allows brands to replicate the design aesthetic and the manufacturing process of a down garment. This helps to simplify the supply chain, combat the volatility of down prices and provides piece of mind when it comes to the ethical sourcing of materials.”
