Patagonia is launching what it claims to be the world's first neoprene-free wetsuits line, made with a plant-based material named Yulex, for autumn 2016. The company first worked with Yulex in 2012 and unveiled the material to the market in the autumn of 2013 but next year the offering with Yulex will be expanded from two to 21 wetsuits. Neoprene-free wetsuits are supposed to reduce their CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent as compared to traditional neoprene wetsuits. The new wetsuits line, which can accommodate water temperatures from 23°C down to 0°C, is developed with Patagonia's partners at Yulex and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Yulex is sourced from a hevea plantation that is independently certified to the FSC standard by the Rainforest Alliance, meaning that products are made using environmentally responsible practices. The new wetsuits collection will debut for Australia's winter in March 2016 with six fullsuits. All 21 styles will be available in North America, Europe and Japan as from July 2016. Patagonia wetsuits are sold at Patagonia retail stores, core surf stores and at Patagonia.com.

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