Recycled polar fleece
Also known as: fleece from PET bottles, recycled Polartec, rPET polar fleece
Classic polar fleece spun from rPET fibres — the iconic fabric made from recycled drink bottles for jackets and pullovers.
Description
Recycled polar fleece is knitted from rPET fibres — recycled polyethylene terephthalate reclaimed from used PET drink bottles. Around 25 half-litre bottles go into a typical fleece jacket body. Production requires roughly 33 to 53 % less energy than virgin polyester and helps close PET loops.
The technique was pioneered by Polartec, which together with Patagonia launched the first commercial rPET fleece back in 1993. Processing, hand feel and warmth are practically identical to virgin fleece; only very pale naturals can show a subtle beige cast from the bottle feedstock. Classic uses are zip fleeces, jacket lining layers, baby overalls and blankets. Note: rPET fleece still sheds microplastics in the wash — filter with a Guppy Bag or fine laundry sac.
- Mostly 100 % rPET, often certified to GRS or RCS
- Around 25 PET bottles per typical fleece jacket
- 33–53 % less energy input than virgin polyester
- Hand and warmth ~ identical to standard fleece
Properties
| Fibre type | rPET (recycled polyester) |
|---|---|
| Feedstock | ~25 PET bottles per jacket |
| Energy saving | 33–53 % vs. virgin polyester |
| Certificates | GRS, RCS, often OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
| Application | Fleece jackets, jacket lining, blankets, baby overalls |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Polar fleece Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_fleece
- Polartec High Loft Recycled simplififabric.com https://www.simplififabric.com/en-us/products/polartec-high-loft-recycled-fleece-4224-made-in-usa-light-dunes
