Imagine a world where your favorite jacket could be fully recycled, leaving no trace of waste behind. Sounds like a dream, right? But here’s where it gets groundbreaking: ALLIED Feather + Down, NetPlus, Resortecs, and Peak Performance have teamed up to turn this vision into reality with the launch of the R&D Helium Loop Anorak—a game-changer in sustainable apparel. This isn’t just another eco-friendly product; it’s a paradigm shift in how we think about circularity in fashion.
Based in Montebello, California, ALLIED Feather + Down, NetPlus, PERTEX, and Resortecs—leaders in circularity, recycling, and advanced materials—have joined forces with Swedish backcountry ski apparel brand Peak Performance to create a jacket that redefines sustainability. The challenge? Performance gear, often made from complex combinations of materials like natural down, zippers, and elastic trims, has long been a recycling nightmare due to its difficult disassembly. And this is the part most people miss: by collaborating with these innovators, Peak Performance has proven that with the right design and partnerships, even the most complex products can be made fully circular.
Matthew Betcher, Creative Director at ALLIED, highlights the core issue: ‘Brands have been eager to embrace circularity, but the responsibility often falls on ingredient partners and startups to make it happen. The truth is, garments must be designed with circularity in mind from the start. That’s why we’re thrilled to bring our expertise to Peak Performance, creating a product that’s circular from day one. What’s even more exciting? This project can inspire entire product lines in the future.’
Each partner brings a unique piece to this sustainability puzzle. ALLIED provides 800-fill power down, a renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable insulation. NetPlus transforms rescued fishing net waste into 100% PCR nylon yarn, which PERTEX weaves into the jacket’s shell and liner. Resortecs introduces Smart Stitch™, a heat-activated thread that simplifies material separation at the end of the jacket’s life. With Smart Disassembly™, the stitching melts away, allowing the down and shell materials to be recycled individually. But here’s the controversial part: Can this model truly scale across the industry, or will it remain a niche innovation?
Designer Marie Andersson explains, ‘True circularity isn’t about compromise—it’s about engineering garments to be unmade as thoughtfully as they’re made. The Helium Loop proves that when premium materials meet end-of-life design, circularity becomes a performance advantage, preserving value across multiple lifecycles.’
David Stover, CEO of Bureo (the company behind NetPlus), adds, ‘This project shows how responsible materials and design can prevent pollution and reduce fossil fuel dependence—a win for the outdoor community. Traditional outerwear relies on crude oil, a model that harms people and the planet. By combining better materials with thoughtful design, Peak Performance is pushing the industry toward end-of-life recycling and away from fossil fuels.’
The R&D Helium Loop Anorak is a milestone in Peak Performance’s goal of achieving total range circularity by 2030. But we want to hear from you: Do you think this approach can revolutionize the fashion industry, or is it too ambitious? Let us know in the comments!
To learn more about ALLIED, visit www.alliedfeather.com.
