The responsible choice
Experience the future of technical fabrics with PORLITE, a groundbreaking textile innovation designed with sustainability in mind. Crafted from non-toxic, energy-efficient materials, PORLITE offers unparalleled comfort and performance. Embrace the cutting edge of textile technology with PORLITE.
Solvent-free, combined with low-temperature lamination greatly reduces energy consumption compared to equivalent 3-layer fabrics using traditional waterproof membranes.
PORLITE is also easy to color, reducing the time and temperature required for dyeing, therefore saving on energy use and water.
Sustainability
PORLITE is made from Polypropylene, a simple polymer containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms, making it non-toxic and easier to return to the earth. Nearly all apparel produced worldwide will end up in a landfill or incinerator. Polypropylene decomposes faster than PTFE and doesn’t break down into forever chemicals. When burned, it releases no toxic chemicals. only CO2 and Water Vapor.
PORLITE efficiently uses raw materials. 1KG of Polypropylene can create PORLITE membrane for about 69 garments, making it 4 times more efficient than other membrane materials such as Polyurethane, and 5 times as efficient as PTFE.
PTFE
1 KGPU
1 KGPORLITE
1 KGLess is more
| Membrane | Weight (gsm) | YD/KG | Garments/KG* |
|---|---|---|---|
| PORLITE | 5 | 138.86 | 69.4 |
| TPU | 20 | 34.72 | 17.4 |
| PU | 20 | 34.72 | 17.4 |
| TPEE | 20 | 34.72 | 17.4 |
| PET | 20 | 34.72 | 17.4 |
| PTFE | 25 | 27.77 | 13.9 |
How it performs
PORLITE proves the highest level of performance can be achieved with responsible and more sustainable materials. Thanks to the low molecular weight of polypropylene, PORLITE fabrics are lighter than equivalent fabrics with traditional membrane technologies.
PORLITE's structure contains microscopic pores, allowing moisture vapor to pass through the membrane. The micropores are too small for liquid water to pass through, creating a highly water-resistant and breathable material.
With as many as 10 billion micropores per square inch. A piece of PORLITE membrane the size of the screen you’re looking at is likely to have more micropores than there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy (yes, even if you’re viewing this on your phone).
10 billion pores
in this squareWater resistance
and breathability
PORLITE competes favorably against other microporous membrane technologies, including PTFE, which have been the gold standard for technical outerwear for decades. PORLITE enables customers and brands to choose sustainable and responsible materials without sacrificing performance.
| Property | Test Method | Unit | PTFE | TPEE | PORLITE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Resistance | Hydrostatic Pressure JIS L 1092 B |
mm H2O | >20000 | >20,000 | >20,000 |
| Breathability | Upright Cup JIS L 1099 A1 |
g/m2/24hr | 5169 | 3095 | 14,746 |
| Inverted Cup JIS L 1099 |
g/m2/24hr | 30,197 | 5,169 | 29,515 |
For every application
PORLITE can offer weight savings, but its light weight also means that it can be combined with heavier, more durable face fabrics to create a more rugged and durable garment for the same weight.
PORLITE can also be created as a bi-component membrane by layering the microporous membrane with a hydrophilic PU coating that wicks moisture, prevents pores from becoming clogged, and adds additional durability. Due to PORLITE's more regular pore shape and size, it requires a thinner polyurethane coating than other membranes. Coupled with its lighter starting weight, bi-component membranes made with PORLITE are the lightest available by a significant margin.
| EPE | PU | PTFE | PORLITE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membrane Weight | 5-6 gsm | 25-30 gsm | 25 gsm | 5 gsm |
| Bi-Component Membrane Weight | 20-25 gsm | 35-40 gsm | 35-40 gsm | 13-15 gsm |
