What are PFAS?
PFAS (Polyfluorinated compounds) are a group of chemicals that, until recently, were commonly used in the textile industry for their ability to deter moisture, grease, and dirt. As they continue to be studied and new information is uncovered, we’ve learned that these chemicals are known to have serious negative health impacts. They’re also resistant to biodegradation, labeling them as “forever chemicals.”
How does Fjällräven manage PFAS?
After learning about the negative impacts and persistent nature these “forever chemicals” have on the environment and our health, we decided to phase out PFAS from our production in 2009, as a non-negotiable stance in our sustainability policy. However, with PFAS being quite literally everywhere (even in our blood!) and cross-contamination being rampant, it’s much easier said than done.
What does Fjällräven’s journey with PFAS look like?
In 2009, our journey began with the discovery of how harmful PFAS can be. Soon after, in 2012, we were able to introduce a new shell fabric that was made without the use of PFAS. By 2015, we were the first outdoor company to release a full product line where all main materials were produced without PFAS. This only left trims, which is a term that covers all secondary components such as buttons, zippers, logos, drawstrings, webbing, tags, etc. After several challenging years working to find trims produced without PFAS, we updated the last remaining trim– zippers, on our products in 2024.
To learn more about PFAS: