Black Diamond Equipment announced that is building its inaugural Fall 2013 apparel line around Schoeller Textiles and Bluesign-approved fabrics from Nanonsphere Technology.

 
Schoeller fabrics, trusted by climbers, skiers and mountain athletes around the world, are engineered for dynamic movement in situations where performance matters. Nanosphere Technology is known as the most effective, longest-lasting DWR in the industry. Nanosphere repels water, dirt and oil, is naturally self-cleaning, and adds additional abrasion resistance while being immune to the effects of long-term wear and multiple washings. Additionally, Nanosphere Technology is bluesign® approved.
 
“Over a decade ago we helped introduce Schoeller Textiles to the North American market with products for alpinists, climbers and backcountry skiers,” states Tim Bantle, Director of Apparel for Black Diamond Equipment. “With the launch of our apparel in Fall 2013, we are reawakening this relationship and will provide our core customers with the best performing soft-shell products on the market.”

 

Black Diamond Equipment also announced it has partnered with Bluesign Technologies on the sustainability front. 

 

“We’ve deliberately chosen to make the bluesign system the cornerstone of our approach to sustainability and supply chain management,” said Bantle.

 

According to Jeff Nash, vice president of engineering services at Black Diamond, Inc. and leader of materials engineering, “Participating as a bluesign system partner assures us that both the raw materials and production processes are optimized for resource productivity while ensuring environmental protection, worker health and safety, as well as end-consumer safety.”
 
Black Diamond Equipment’s intent with their Fall 2013 apparel line is to address the needs of alpinists in the same way their equipment has for decades. In addition to the Schoeller Collection, Black Diamond Equipment will introduce two additional material platforms in Fall 2013 focusing on fleece with Polartec and synthetic insulation with Primaloft.