FELDKIRCHEN-WESTERHAM – Technical fabric brand W L Gore says it plans to launch a range of outdoor clothing using non-PFC-based DWR (Durable Water Repellency) technologies. The products, set for a 2018 launch, follow Gore's announcement last year that it plans to invest more than US$15 million over the next five years to explore alternative DWR treatments in response to ongoing concerns about PFCs and their presence in DWRs. Gore also presented controversial research findings last year which claimed non-fluorinated DWR treatments do not necessarily offer a better environmental option than current fluorocarbon based DWR treatments. The company published Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data focusing on DWR for functional outerwear in backpacking and high aerobic activities.
