Interaction Between VAUDE And Sympatex
Nowadays, textile brand and consumer brand are not only supply relationship, but also dependence relationship. Both of them are looking for new ways to grip the consumers and increase the integrative competition ability. Co-market, as a popular way, providing them the chance to cooperate with each other, making them take charger of different parts, but getting more rewards.
Taking VAUDE and Sympatex as the example. VAUDE is a German producer of mountain sports equipment which was founded in 1974. From beginning to now, they are pursuing a comprehensive sustainability strategy. VAUDE’s goal is to create a balance between ecological, social and economic responsibility. SympaTex is a type of fabric that is branded as waterproof with “breatheable” fabrics made or licensed by SympaTex Technologies GmbH. The fabric features a waterproof, windproof and breatheable membrane that is laminated to fabrics either on its inner surface or sandwiched between two fabric layers. The latter system offers greater durability, by better protecting the integrity of the SympaTex layer from abrasion to both the outside and the inside of the garment.
VAUDE and Sympatex Technologies have formed a partnership to advance the development of high-performance ecological textiles. VAUDE used the ecologically compatible and completely recyclable Sympatex membrane in its mountain sports and bike sports apparel lines as well as in its shoe collections. That moved the mountain sports supplier a step closer to realizing its major goal of environmentally friendly manufacturing throughout its entire range of products.
I think this was a very important step for both manufacturer, for Sympatex wants to gain more place in the sport apparel market, while VAUDE wants to increase more functionality and innovation. “With VAUDE we have gained one of the most important outdoor brands on the market as an ideal partner who pursues highly ambitious environmental objectives. For both brands, it is naturally clear that we are striving for ecological solutions that in no way reduce or negatively impact top performance for highest demands in sports,” said Michael Kamm, CEO, Sympatex.
For another aspect, as a family business, the core value of VAUDE is improving its ecological footprint. While Sympatex is exactly VAUDE’s MR. Right for its eco-friendly technology. The Sympatex membrane is comprised solely of oxygen, carbon and hydrogen, while its production eschews the use of poisonous PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or fluorocarbons often found in other standard membranes. Due to its composition, it is fully recyclable and allows for the pure polyether-ester production necessary for a meaningful recycling concept. This kind of technology allows VAUDE meet both functionality and eco-friendly characteristics.
What must be mentioned here is that VAUDE spring/summer collection 2018 to come with 100% recycled and climate-neutral Sympatex membrane as well as with 100% recycled Sympatex lining. This collection let VAUDE has made a first huge step to become the most sustainable provider of functional outdoor and bike shoes. On another hand, VAUDE provides Sympatex a stage to show its advantages and innovation to more consumers and companies.
From this case, we can see that as partner, they do not only take each other’s benefit to expand their brand, but also have the similar value and goal to promote the development of a sustainable market. Consumer brand and textile brand are supposed to stand shoulder to shoulder to create a larger coverage and double win value of the market.
References:
Michael, Kamm and Antje von, Dewitz. (2010, February 10). Stories: VAUDA Teams up with Sympatex. Retrieved from: http://www.sportswear-international.com/news/stories/VAUDE-TEAMS-UP-WITH-SYMPATEX-2197
News Cision (Ed.).(2017, May 30). OutDoor 2017: VAUDE and Sympatex to present the next generation of the ecological functional shoe. Retrieved from:http://news.cision.com/sympatex/r/outdoor-2017--vaude-and-sympatex-to-present-the-next-generation-of-the-ecological-functional-shoe,c2276172
