ALLIED Feather + Down Reports 85% Lower Carbon Emissions in Down Processing
ALLIED Feather + Down has announced the results of a recent carbon footprint audit at its Hangzhou facility in China, revealing that its cradle-to-gate down processing generates 85% fewer carbon emissions than the estimated industry average.
The audit, conducted by supply chain carbon specialists Green Threads DPP, uses actual facility and supply chain data to assess emissions associated with down processing. The findings provide apparel and outdoor brands with a more specific benchmark for evaluating the environmental impact of down materials and the processes used to prepare them for finished products.
According to the audit, ALLIED’s processing generates 0.48 kg CO₂e per kg of down, compared with an estimated industry average of 3.2 kg CO₂e per kg for conventional down, representing an 85% reduction. The figure is also 57.9% lower than the published 1.14 kg CO₂e per kg figure for recycled down.
The assessment further indicates that ALLIED’s down has a 95% lower carbon footprint than the estimated polyester fibre production used for alternative insulation. The comparison is based on ALLIED’s cradle-to-gate processing data and estimated polyester fibre production data from ecoinvent version 3.12.
Daniel Uretsky, President of ALLIED Feather + Down, said the audited findings provide measurable evidence of the company’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of down processing. He noted that the data can give brands objective information when making material selection and sustainability decisions.
The audit assessed greenhouse gas emissions linked to ALLIED’s down processing operations, including slaughterhouse impacts, transportation and processing at its facility in China. The results reflect several years of improvements implemented across ALLIED’s global operations and supply chain partnerships.
Water and Energy Efficiency Drive Lower Emissions
ALLIED’s Hangzhou facility incorporates several resource-efficiency measures designed to reduce its environmental footprint. Its on-site water reclamation system enables 95% of water to be reused, with approximately 5% lost through evaporation.
The facility also uses solar power alongside operational efficiencies to reduce energy consumption and associated carbon emissions. In addition, ALLIED has worked with its detergent supplier to develop eco-friendly detergents that perform effectively in cold water and require fewer rinse cycles. This approach helps reduce water use while also lowering energy and gas consumption.
Uretsky highlighted the combination of down’s characteristics as a renewable material and the company’s processing methods as an important factor in reducing environmental impact. Down is sourced as a byproduct of the food industry, and efficient processing can further reduce its overall carbon footprint.
Carbon Data Supports Digital Product Passport Readiness
With Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements developing across the apparel industry, brands increasingly need reliable carbon data at material level. ALLIED’s audited information is intended to support brands in areas including material selection, sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance.
The data is currently available to ALLIED’s partner brands and is expected to become more widely accessible through the company’s TrackMyDown hangtags and website.
ALLIED’s carbon footprint calculations use annual data covering energy, water, wastewater and detergent consumption. The assessment follows the requirements of ISO 14067:2018, PAS 2050:2011 and the Product Category Rules for Apparel, Except Fur and Leather Apparel (PCR 2024:03).
The company will also showcase its developments at Functional Textiles in Shanghai, Performance Days in Munich and Functional Fabric Fair in Portland during the autumn season.
The company notes that its calculations focus on processing-related environmental impacts in China, including slaughterhouse impact, transportation and final processing, and do not include the emissions associated with raising the birds. Comparisons involving recycled down and polyester are likewise based on the specific datasets and system boundaries outlined in the audit.
