Vegeto, a Canada-based leader in the sustainable production and processing of plant textile fibers, is launching a high-performance milkweed insulation material for the outdoor clothing and equipment industry, specifically jackets, handwear, and sleeping bags.

Ghyslain Bouchard, Vegeto’s general manager, said that this novel insulation material fills a vacuum in the textile business – a plant-based, eco-friendly insulation textile that doesn't sacrifice performance. It was designed and manufactured in Canada, and it does not follow the traditional model of employing animal-derived or petroleum-based components. For the whole garment and textile business, they are sowing the seeds of transformation.

Bouchard added that an examination of the characteristics of milkweed fiber revealed that its tubular shape makes it a good thermal insulator. The hollow part of the fiber traps air and keeps it warm. They were motivated to make their milkweed insulating cloth by this natural property, which synthetic fabrics aim to replicate.

Milkweed and kapok fibers, as well as a biopolymer produced from maize starch, make up the nonwoven laminated textile insulation. The product's remarkable thermal insulation capabilities have been confirmed by independent testing (CTT Group). The CLO value varies from 2.5 to 4.5 depending on the product weight - from 100 to 250gsm.

This weight range provides adequate protection for both mild spring weather and the colder winter months.

Bouchard explained that they want to partner with companies that share their business attitude. What Vegeto has accomplished sets the bar for the industry, and they intend to enlist the help of producers and encourage them to venture further afield.

Vegeto has developed a field-to-fiber transformation technology that matches the ever-increasing need for environmentally friendly raw materials. Past investments in machinery development have resulted in the effective transformation of plants into textile fibers, and the company can now generate unique, high-performance textile mixes.

Milkweed and its benefits are relatively unknown in Canada, despite its widespread distribution. Vegeto is collaborating with Canadian farmers to produce a consistent milkweed yield that meets textile-grade specifications. The corporation is consolidating more and more agreements with farmers to assure long-term supply in response to rising demand for the indigenous plant.