Eastman, maker of Naia Renew sustainable fibres and yarns, has collaborated with Patagonia to offer a limited run of T-shirts made with Naia Renew ES, Eastman's latest fibre offering made with increased recycled content, for the outdoor apparel retailer's Workwear line.

Named for its enhanced sustainability, Naia Renew ES is made with 60% recycled content. Unlike other cellulose-based yarns and fibres, this option requires fewer virgin materials to make an environmentally friendly product. Naia Renew ES is made from a combination of molecularly recycled waste material (40%), recycled cellulose (20%) and renewable wood pulp (40%).

The 20% recycled cellulose comes from waste materials, textiles waste and non-forest-derived cellulose waste. This innovation is made possible through Eastman's continuous efforts to collaborate with eco-conscious partners throughout the value chain. For example, the Naia team has partnered with GP Cellulose, a pulp supplier with a focus on sustainability, to integrate renewable forest fibres and non-forest fibre solutions into its feedstock.

The remaining 40% recycled content* comes from Eastman's cutting-edge molecular recycling technology that breaks down hard-to-recycle waste materials like plastic packaging and old carpet into fundamental building blocks to produce the acetic acid used to make cellulose acetate yarn and fibre. This process not only produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions but also diverts waste materials from landfills, incinerators and other undesirable end-of-life destinations, finding new value for pre and postconsumer waste that is not suitable for recycling by traditional means.

"Patagonia has always been a company that chooses its fibres carefully and responsibly," said Ruth Farrell, Eastman textiles general manager. "The collaboration we've enjoyed with Patagonia has been instrumental in developing materials that appeal to its customers — environmentally conscientious people who work and play hard. Patagonia customers want garments that reflect who they are and what they care about without compromise on comfort and quality."

Patagonia's Workwear line is a Fair Trade line of apparel made for people who work hard daily to make the planet a better place to live, perform and produce. It features durable, low-impact fibres with a lower carbon footprint.

*Mass balance approach

www.patagonia.com/workwear