At Arctica, we’re dedicated to enhance your ski race performance and ski adventures. It is equally important to safeguard the environments that make these experiences possible. That’s why we’ve set a goal to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from our production process by 2025. Known for their robustness and water repellency but notorious for their environmental persistence and potential health risks, PFAS have been prevalent in outdoor gear for years. However, we are steering towards a more sustainable future. Bills have also been passed to regulate the use of PFAS in products in various US states.
Why Go PFAS-Free?
PFAS, dubbed “forever chemicals,” persist in nature. They lead to environmental contamination that can impact wildlife and human health. Our initiative aims to move away from using these harmful substances in our products, prioritizing both performance and sustainability.
Our Journey So Far
Water repellent (WR) coatings in the outerwear industry have long contained PFAS for its stain resistant and water-repellent properties. It was an important ingredient to ensure that our products performed under extreme weather conditions. Over the years, research has demonstrated the negative environmental and health impacts of PFAS. By 2016, we had phased out traditional long-chain fluorocarbon (C8) in DWR coatings on our apparel. Instead, we replaced it with C6 DWR coating, a shorter-chain fluorocarbon that was considered to be less harmful to the environment. The minimal amount of PFAS currently in our garments is non-detectable in commercial tests. We firmly believe that this nominal amount does not compromise the health risk of our customers. Our journey towards eliminating PFAS continues as we look into suitable alternatives that maintain the high performance standards we uphold. This transition includes investing in PFAS-free Durable Water Repellent (C0-DWR) coatings and membranes that do not rely on these harmful chemicals.
Our ski race gear, including ski jackets and side zip pants are currently exempted from PFAS-free regulations as they are engineered and classified as Outdoor Apparel for Severe Wet Conditions. Our 24/25 GS Race Suits are PFAS-free.
Innovating for the Future
We’re committed to investing in innovation and testing alternative materials that are safer for the environment while still meeting our strict performance criteria. This rigorous process ensures that our PFAS-free materials are both effective and durable, ready to withstand the demands of outdoor environments without compromising our environmental commitments. By the end of 2025, all of our products, including fabric and zippers will become PFAS-free.
Embracing PFAS-free technology marks a significant step towards a new industry standard—one that values our planet as much as the adventures it hosts. Join us as we prepare for a more sustainable future.
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