SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

Recycled Polyester (RPET) is derived from the chemical name for polyester: PET. In the recycling process, plastic bottles are cut into small pieces, melted, spun and then woven into "new" polyester fabrics.

The plastic bottles processed into MAIUM jackets are collected by waste collectors in Asia. They are then compressed and taken to the recycling plant. At the recycling plant, the plastic bottles undergo the following successive steps:

• First, during the separation process, the caps and labels are removed from the bottles because they are made of plastic with different properties, for example, a different melting point. This makes it impossible to recycle without separation
• The plastic bottles are then processed into small flakes and these are then cleaned
• Then the flakes are melted into so-called pellets
• Finally, the molten plastic is spun into yarn that can now be used to weave fabrics for MAIUM rainjackets.

Advantages of RPET include:

• CO2 emissions in the production of RPET are significantly lower than in the production of virgin (non-recycled) polyester.
• Ensures that less plastic ends up in landfills or in the ocean.
• Does not rely on "new" petroleum as raw material.

Recycled nylon has similar benefits to recycled polyester, its use keeps it from ending up in landfills or in the ocean and consumes a lot less energy and CO2 emissions in production compared to virgin nylon. MAIUM uses recycled nylon made from waste, particularly post-industrial waste such as from weaving mills.

Recycled nylon is processed in the following way:

• First the nylon is separated from other types of waste, then it is thoroughly cleaned.
• It is then shredded and compressed.
• Then the compressed substance is depolymerized. This is a chemical decomposition reaction in which a polymer (organic compound whose molecules consist of a sequence of identical parts) is broken down into monomers, a relatively simple organic molecule that can again serve as a building block for larger molecules.
• These monomers are used to "molecularly" rebuild the fabric so that it can be made into nylon yarn again. The fabric we use for our products is made from this recycled nylon yarn.

The benefits of recycled nylon are:

• Reduced CO2 emissions during production compared to virgin (non-recycled) nylon.
• Ensures that less nylon ends up in landfills or oceans.
• Does not rely on "new" petroleum as raw material.

PU is short for Polyurethane, a class of polymers composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane). During the coating process, a liquid layer of polyurethane is applied to the surface of a fabric to make it waterproof, since neither recycled polyester nor recycled nylon is waterproof on its own. Besides the fact that a PU coating makes the fabric waterproof, it is strong, has a long lifespan and no harmful toxins are released during production. Currently, our biodegradable PU coating is one of the two most sustainable alternatives for waterproofing fabrics. The other is TPU lamination. We continue to look for even more environmentally friendly finishes with the same properties as PU, but they are not currently available.

A PU coating is applied in the following way:

• The recycled woven fabric, both polyester and nylon, is delivered to the coating plant.
• A liquid layer of polyurethane coating is applied to the fabric including the desired color for the final fabric.
• After a drying process, the products are ready for finishing

TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane, an elastic, flexible and smooth form of PU lamination. Because of its durability and strength, it has a long service life, but also allows air to pass through, making it a breathable fabric - unlike ordinary polyurethane coatings. Although fossil fuels are used in the production of TPU, our goal remains to switch to even more sustainable alternatives as soon as they become available on the market.

TPU lamination is applied to fabrics in the following manner:

• Recycled woven fabrics are delivered to coating and laminating plant
• TPU lamination, which also contains an adhesive layer, is applied to the fabric.
• It is pressed together with the recycled woven fabric using a heat press. This is usually done on the inside of the fabric to preserve the outer color or print of the fabric.
• After a cooling period, TPU-laminated fabrics are waterproof and can be used to produce MAIUM rainwear.

Silver lamination, used in our Ponchos is made of a liquid mixture of glue, polyurethane and an aluminum powder. The latter gives it a silver color. The coating forms a membrane, a layer that makes the fabric waterproof. This is applied to the back of the fabric in two stages. The layers are heated so that the water from the adhesive evaporates, then the adhesive adheres to the fabric. Once the layers have cooled and dried, the fabric is ready for processing. The silver lamination is applied at the factory where pu-coating, TPU lamination and Bionic-Finish Eco are also applied.

Bionic-Finish ECO is an ecological technology for making fabrics long-term water repellent. Most water-repellent coatings currently available contain fluorocarbons. These fluorocarbons have a negative impact on nature, in part because they take a long time to naturally degrade. Bionic-Finish Eco is a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative, free of fluorocarbons and other hazardous chemicals, including formaldehyde and kerosene. Almost all of our waterproofing products are impregnated with this bionic finish. Additional benefits are that you can wash them more often without losing water repellency, the color of the clothing is better preserved and dirt is also easy to wash off.