Ternua presents a new circular economy project
This new circular economy project undertaken by Ternua is called “Latxa Artile” and consists in reusing Latxa wool as an ecological and natural thermal insulation for clothing. The aim of this initiative is to offer a purpose to this type of wool, currently managed almost entirely as waste. This project aims to demonstrate the potential of this product to be reintroduced to the market as thermal insulation for high quality jackets.
“We created Artileshell technology to emphasize our commitment to innovation, the environment and the community, looking for alternatives to the reuse of waste, which is also a local problem, as a raw material for clothing and to raise user awareness of the importance of an environmentally and socially responsible purchase”. Edu Uribesalgo, Innovation Director, Ternua Group
The wool from these Latxa sheep represents an environmental problem for shepherds, as it has no commercial value and cannot be disposed of. With 1 million sheep and about 2.5 million kg of wool per year, Ternua saw an opportunity for a unique circular economy project: Latxa Artile, which would be Latxa wool in Basque, is an initiative promoted by the brand in collaboration with the association Muturbeltz, the village Lamariako Azpikoa of Antzuola, the company Iletegia of Lapurdi, together with the support of the Department of Environment of the provincial government of Gipuzkoa.
The Environmental Delegate, José Ignacio Asensio, explained in a press conference that “with fewer and fewer resources available, it is necessary for the industry to change its processes and put sustainability and the fight against climate change at the head of its business models. We must start creating fashion with a positive impact on the planet”. “Latxa Artile is the best example of collaboration between government, the raw materials sector and industry. Thanks to this project, high-performance clothing acquires a dimension of co-responsibility and a boost for the circular economy and the regional economy”.
The use of a biodegradable and easily generated material such as sheep’s wool will become an alternative to the use of petroleum-based insulation materials. The first jackets designed by the company with this new “Artileshell” technology, which will be called Artile Jacket, will be part of the autumn-winter 2020-2021 collection. Ternua has designed a jacket that protects from wind and rain using recycled fabrics (outer fabric from post-consumption recycled plastic bottles, biodegradable membrane based on corn sugar and inner fabric based on post-consumption recycled plastic bottles). It is a light and thermal jacket, thanks to the natural ecological wool filling, and it is treated with a toxic-free water-repellent (PFC-free). To explain the Latxa Artile project cycle, Ternua has included a special printed tag inside the jacket that describes the steps taken for its manufacture.
