Patagonia has unveiled a plant-based wetsuit, as an environmentally-friendly alternative to neoprene products. It was developed in partnership with Yulex Corporation, a company focusing on clean technologies using agriculture-based biomaterials. The new Patagonia wetsuit is made at 60 percent of biorubber issued from guayule, a renewable crop which requires little water, and the objective is to make entirely plant-based wetsuits in the coming years. The products are to be launched in Japan and will become available in other countries next year. Apart from the environmental benefits, the new wetsuit was lauded for its stretch qualities, instant drying and thermal value.

Topics