How Bosideng is leading the way in the development of low-carbon, environmentally friendly materials and products

Founded nearly 50 years ago, Bosideng's success in China has been based primarily on the production of high-quality down jackets. However, Bosideng has grown far beyond down clothing. Bosideng has established a Global Innovation Institute dedicated to developing and designing innovative, sustainable and low-carbon products, and is increasingly involved in researching on new materials. Bosideng now has an impressive list of award-winning fabrics and products developed in collaboration with some of the world's most renowned technology partners.

Recognizing the importance of sustainable material alternatives, Bosideng actively researches and develops materials that reduce environmental impact while meeting the highest performance standards. Bosideng has received several prestigious ISPO Textrends Awards in recognition of its commitment to this cause. For example, Bosideng developed 100% bio-based nylon fabrics that won the Global Selection Award in the Film and Coating category. Other bio-based fabrics received the Top 10 Product Award in the Functional Finishing category, and new high-elastic fabrics won the Top 10 Product Award in the Film and Coating category.

These innovations have been proven to reduce the environmental impact of products. Fabrics made from Bosideng's 100 percent bio-based nylon and bio-based spandex have been shown to reduce the carbon footprint by 23 percent, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainable development and carbon reduction.

In collaboration with GORE-TEX, Bosideng has taken another significant step towards sustainability by launching down jackets laminated with the new, more sustainable GORE-TEX ePE membrane. ePE stands for expanded polyethylene, which has been proven to reduce the carbon footprint of even highly technical materials. These advanced fabrics are lightweight, durable, and free from harmful perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). By using innovative fabrics, Bosideng is able to reduce the carbon footprint of its products while ensuring durability and performance.

According to ISO14067 and PAS2050 standards, Bosideng has confirmed the carbon footprint of several key products, obtained the China Quality Certification (CQC) Center’s CO2 certification and successfully made them zero-carbon products. These include the Polar Down Jacket, the Light Warm Goose Down Jacket, the Mountaineering Down Jacket, the Ski Down Jacket and the Urban Light Outdoor 1.0 Anti-Sun Wear Apparel.

Bosideng's commitment to sustainability extends beyond material innovation to encompass the entire design process. The company took the lead in drafting the group standard T/CNGA 33-2021, which defines the “Technical Specification for the Assessment of Products with an Environmentally Friendly Design in Down Clothing”. This standard is incorporated into Bosideng's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for product design and ensures that the use of chemicals is carefully managed from the start of the design phase. By considering the use of chemicals at an early stage, Bosideng ensures that hazardous substances are eliminated at source, minimizing their environmental and health impacts.

In addition, Bosideng has created a “Supplier Chemical Control Manual” that requires suppliers to comply with Bosideng's Restricted Substances List Requirements (RSL) for Chemicals. By adhering to these strict requirements, Bosideng ensures that raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products meet high environmental and safety standards. The company is also a member of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative, which works to eliminate toxic and hazardous chemicals from the supply chain. Through careful management and analysis of suppliers' sustainability reports, Bosideng is on track to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals throughout its supply chain by 2030.

Bosideng aims to engage with consumers to inform them about the benefits of innovative materials and strict regulations on chemical management. The company is using or plans to use various channels – including its official website, WeChat account, e-commerce platform and product labels – to educate people about the importance of chemical safety in textiles.

By providing relevant product certifications and clear information about the chemicals used in its products, Bosideng empowers consumers to make informed decisions and raises awareness of chemical safety in the fashion industry. This commitment to transparency and consumer education is a key element of Bosideng's broader social responsibility efforts.