Gore-Tex presented the finding of its latest life-cycle assessment study, developed in cooperation with the Öko-Institute Freiburg, during the OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen. In the first half of 2013, Gore-Tex expanded its LCA work to a representative functional outerwear jacket, Gore-Tex Windstopper branded apparel, in order to measure its environmental impact. The Freiburg institute provided guidance on the methodology and data sets. The initial findings show that, to use a Gore-Tex jacket for five years, a total of 72.7 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent are emitted, 2.08 cubic meters of fresh water and 992 MJ of primary energy consumed, the equivalent of 29 liters of petrol. The jackets production and distribution processes contribute 65 percent of the product's global warming potential, GWP. Consumer care, at 35 percent of total GWP, also has a significant impact, while the impact of the jackets disposal is negligible. As a next step, Gore-Tex will finalize its LCA analysis on the shoes that use its membranes. Gore proposes to minimize the environmental footprint of functional outerwear by enhancing its longevity. It calculates that a Gore-Tex jacket lasts about five years when used by an American consumer. Gore says it will work closely with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and other NGOs. It will further improve energy efficiency at its own facilities and encourage its supply chain to implement Bluesign standards.

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