ZHIK'S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

OUR MISSION

Our commitment to the water is in our DNA and demands our action.

We support and are committed to sustainable initiatives that minimise the impact of the watersports industry on the environment. We aim to pioneer new materials, processes, and initiatives that are better for our planet and the people who use our products.

We can — and will — continue to push our industry to be more focused on sustainability.

OUR OBJECTIVES

We are constantly looking for ways to operate in a more environmentally sustainable way. We are already significantly reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing, distributing, and using our products. These are our most important sustainable business objectives:

+ Remove single-use plastics in all packaging

+ Replace petrochemical-based materials with recycled or sustainable alternatives

+ Develop new waterproof coatings that are free from perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

+ Reduce raw materials used by choosing recycled or sustainable alternatives

+ Increase the lifespan and repairability of our products

We genuinely believe in the importance of these objectives and will continue to pursue them in earnest.

Replacing Single-Use Plastic in Packaging

We are constantly pushing for sustainable innovations in the way we package and ship our products.

In 2017, we redesigned most of our packaging to limit or remove all single-use plastics. We replaced plastic films, wrapping, and bags with alternatives made from either recycled paper and card, or plant-based plastic alternatives.

Where traditional plastic was previously used, we now use a more environmentally responsible alternative made from corn starch. Our corn starch packaging is biodegradable, generates fewer greenhouse gases and is non-toxic.

We are close to our goal to have completely plastic-free packaging. Since its inception, limiting single-use plastics in our packaging has resulted in producing over 200,000 fewer non-decomposable plastic bags.

This is an achievement we’re incredibly proud of, but we still have our eye on the future and are looking for ways to do even more.

Yulex® Natural Rubber Wetsuits

As part of its sustainability efforts, Zhik has incorporated Yulex® natural rubber into its latest wetsuit range, setting a new standard for eco-friendly water sports gear. Yulex® is derived from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified rubber trees, ensuring the raw material is sourced from responsibly managed forests. Unlike traditional neoprene, which is petroleum-based and energy-intensive to produce, Yulex® is made through a more sustainable process that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. This plant-based alternative is free from harmful chemicals like chloroprene, making it safer for both the environment and those who wear it.

Why go neoprene-free?

Zhik’s Yulex® wetsuits not only deliver the exceptional performance expected by athletes but also significantly reduce their environmental footprint. The use of Yulex® enhances the eco-friendliness of the wetsuits without compromising on essential features like insulation, flexibility, and durability. These wetsuits are designed to perform in challenging conditions while contributing to cleaner production methods and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. By choosing Yulex®, Zhik is paving the way for more sustainable practices in the industry, offering water enthusiasts a choice that aligns with their commitment to preserving the oceans and ecosystems they cherish.

Find out more >

Developing PFC-Free Repellency: XWR®

Durable Water Repellents (DWRs) are finishes that add liquid-shedding properties to fabrics, causing droplets to bead and roll off the surface. These are widely used in finishes and membranes of performance garments to avoid water soaking through to the skin.

DWRs usually contain man-made chemicals known as perfluorocarbons (PFCs). These are potentially harmful to both the wearer of the garment, as well as the environment — often rubbing off when the item is used or washed. Once released into the environment, PFCs break down very slowly over many years and are found in trace amounts throughout the world’s water supply.

The Zhik R&D team have spent years developing alternatives to PFC-based repellents. We have been constantly evolving Zhik DWR coating to lower the impact on the environment whilst still improving performance. In 2017, we introduced our first-to-market, highly water repellent Avlare® top.

In 2020, we unveiled our latest 100% PFC-free repellent: XWR™. It features:

   - Incredible durability and versatility.

   - Uninterrupted breathable finish.

   - Unparalleled level of water repellency.

   - Greater longevity than other non-fluorinated repellents.

We have already rolled out XWR™ into many products and will continue to expand its use through our range.

A Fibre from Recycled Plastic: Repreve®

We’ve been working hard to source new materials made from recycled plastic waste and use them in our upcoming product lines. One of the materials we’re proud to introduce to our lineup is Repreve® — the world’s #1 brand of recycled performance fibre.

This versatile recycled fibre is becoming a staple part of our current and forthcoming Zhik range. Our Cell puffer jackets use 100% Repreve recycled fill, on average, containing the equivalent of 8 recycled bottles per Cell jacket. In addition, our Eco Spandex range is made from Repreve® Nylon fabric.

In addition to sustainability, we choose Repreve® for its performance across:  

   - Moisture-wicking.

   - Fast dry time.

   - Adaptive warming and cooling.

What is Repreve® made from?

Repreve® is made from 100% recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste. This waste is turned into a versatile, reliable and durable product that is certified and traceable, so we know it’s made from 0% virgin plastics. 

Recycled Polyester Material: Polartec®

When looking for a sustainable material to make our fleece mid-layers from, we turned straight to Polartec®. They were the first manufacturer to launch a recycled fleece in the early 90s and have worked to increase the use of recycled and sustainable materials since then.

Using Polartec® recycled polyester fabric in the Full Zip Fleece has seen a great reduction in virgin fibres required and diverts consumer waste from landfill. Their fleece material is primarily made of post-consumer recycled polyester from pre-used water bottles; converting waste into something useful and sustainable.

We’re Closing the Loop on Wetsuit Products

It is one of Zhik’s long-term environmental sustainability goals to achieve circularity within our product’s lifespan. We want full transparency over the environmental impact of our wetsuits: from material sourcing to production, to use by our customers, and then end of life.

To help close the loop on our wetsuit’s lifespans, Zhik is working with UPPAREL — Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted and rewarded textile recovery and recycling organisation. UPPAREL gives textiles a new life, provides quality clothes to Australian charities, and drives innovative product development. Their philosophy is to reuse where possible and only upcycle when necessary — ensuring that the fewest possible resources are wasted.

The reZHIKle program invites people to drop off their used Zhikwetsuits and skiff suits through one of the participating stores so they can be reused, upcycled or recycled to live another life. Once collected, the garments will be sorted based on their condition, then, either donated to our partner charities for reuse or responsibly upcycled into useful equipment like soft flooring for gyms and playgrounds.

Click here to find out more, including participating stores.

Garment Lifespan and Repairability

At Zhik, we strive to create top-quality gear that keeps up with the rigorous sporting life of our customers. We know that durability and environmental impact matter to the people that wear and use our gear, so these sit at the core of our design process.

We are committed to creating products that last the test of time and limit the need for replacements. As part of this commitment, we have a network of dedicated Zhik Repair Partners around the world. These Partners repair garments to the high standards that we demand, so you can increase the lifespan of your Zhik gear and eliminate the need to prematurely replace items.

You can find a Zhik Repair Partner in your region here.

Cell Jackets with Repreve®

Full Zip Recycled Fleece

ECO Spandex with Repreve®

Yulex Neoprene Free ECO Wetsuit