The collaboration between SailGP and Mover has led to the release of a capsule collection which includes six items, such as t-shirts, polos, and fleece hoodies, all crafted from 100% natural fibres. These garments feature plastic-free stitching and labelling, as well as water-based printing techniques.
The companies are planning for the future development of a high-performance sportswear line designed for athletes to test in a sailing environment.
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By testing plastic-free technical sportswear in some of the most challenging environments, this pilot project aims to demonstrate that high-performance textiles can be achieved without relying on fossil-fuel-derived fibres.
In a recent survey commissioned by SailGP in 2023, involving 1,500 participants from the US, UK, and Switzerland, 72% of respondents expressed a preference for plastic-free sportswear if it were available.
Synthetic fibres, such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic, currently constitute 69% of all global fibre usage, with expectations of this figure rising to nearly 75% by 2030. These fibres, derived from fossil fuels, contribute to primary microplastic pollution and the ongoing plastic waste crisis.
CEO and founder of Mover, Nicolas Rochat, said: “Our collaboration with SailGP is an opportunity to prove that natural fibres can excel in one of the most demanding sports on the planet. Our materials that are the most technical and intelligent, are genuinely designed to be digested by nature.”
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By GlobalDataThe collection wants to challenge the prevailing norms in sportswear and apparel, where the industry frequently advocates synthetic fibres as the sole solution to meet the technical demands of high-performance clothing.
SailGP’s chief purpose officer, Fiona Morgan said: “By joining forces with Mover after two years of development we have totally rethought sports performance clothing with plastic-free materials.”
The survey conducted by SailGP, revealed that 54% of respondents were unaware or uncertain about the health and environmental impacts of chemicals used in synthetic technical clothing.
‘Forever chemicals’ are involved in the treatment of synthetic fabrics such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known for being toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative in the environment.
According to the companies, recycled polyester is not a sustainable solution to the issues associated with synthetic materials, as it emits the same toxic substances as virgin plastic, including Bisphenol A (BPA), which can lead to developmental problems, serious eye damage, respiratory irritation, skin allergies, and reproductive harm.
Sian Sutherland, the founder of A Plastic Planet, an organisation dedicated to inspiring reduced plastic usage who is supporting the collaboration between SailGP and Mover said: “The plastic crisis can feel overwhelming with billions of pieces of plastic still being pumped out into our oceans and soil. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
“Mover is proving that technical performance textiles from natural, truly breathable materials not only feel great but mean we are no longer adding to plastic pollution with every wear and wash.”
