US' Braskem to supply I'm green EVA biopolymer to apparel firm Gelmart

Gelmart’s new kindly line of sustainable intimate apparel was launched in August 2021 and is available exclusively across 3,300 Walmart retail stores and online at Walmart’s website. Gelmart has designed, developed, and produced over 1.25 billion units in underwear, bras, and shapewear for leading retailers and brands. Gelmart’s kindly bra line is the culmination of more than three years of proprietary development, resulting in the world's first mass-produced, plant-based bra. The product line aims to connect the worlds of sustainability, accessibility, and innovation by incorporating more environmentally friendly materials such as Braskem’s I’m green EVA biopolymer, replacing the use of traditional foam materials. Affordably priced, the kindly line allows consumers to feel good about making a more sustainable choice, all without sacrificing quality or value, Braskem said in a media statement.

Braskem’s I’m green bio-based EVA is sustainably produced from sugarcane, a renewable source that contributes to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by CO2 capture. For those who want to adopt Green EVA into a new product concept, it is ideal for use in apparel, footwear, children’s toys, general foams, and much more.

“As a leader in bio-polymers, Braskem has a long-standing commitment to creating a more sustainable future. Our innovative portfolio of I'm green plant-based materials is helping global consumer brands and manufacturers transition from legacy fossil fuels based raw materials to more eco-friendly solutions. We couldn’t be more excited to announce our partnership with Gelmart, their visionary leadership is helping transform the world’s apparel industry with creative new offerings that bring the same high-quality and comfort, but also deliver a more sustainable footprint on the planet,” Edison Terra, executive vice president of Braskem said.

“We’re thrilled to bring the world’s first plant-based bra cup to market, but real sustainability does not exist without accessibility. It’s important to us that our brands are known not only for quality products, but more for creating a movement towards an eco-friendlier and more attainable lifestyle for all. So, finding the right partner to provide the high-quality eco-friendly materials at scale was an essential factor in our strategy. Braskem was the natural choice for us as a leading supplier of biopolymers, their deep expertise in Green EVA and their collaborative approach were a perfect fit,” Yossi Nasser, chief executive officer of Gelmart said.

“In my 40 plus years working in the industry, this was the most challenging project I’ve worked on - and it certainly feels the most rewarding. It took us three years to work towards a sustainable cup that is over 80 per cent plant-based. Our goal is to never make consumers choose between function, plant and price, by creating a more sustainable future with beautifully crafted products that people can feel good about wearing,” Eve Bastug, chief product officer of Gelmart International said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)