BRISTOL – New research led by Biov8tion and supported by the European Outdoor Group Microfibre Consortium suggests that continued exposure to UV light can lower the tenacity of some polyester fibres by up to 42 per cent in laboratory conditions. It was found that finer count polyester filament yarns are more susceptible to breakdown in ultraviolet (UV) light and comes at a time when the textile industry is trying to understand how synthetic textiles fibres are released from fabrics and migrate their way to marine ecosystems.
The work from the Consortium housed under the auspices of the European Outdoor Group, is working with academics from the University of Leeds and major fashion brands, such as Helly Hansen, The North Face, Jack Wolfskin and Berghaus along with UK consultancy Biov8tion, which is leading the work.
