Astral Becomes bluesign® SYSTEM Partner, Builds Latest PFDs with bluesign®-Approved Shells

July 7, 2021

The brand continues its legacy of setting environmental milestones, creates industry-first PFD shell

Asheville, NC – July 7, 2021 –  Astral, manufacturer of award-winning PFDs and footwear, is proud to announce their commitment as a bluesign® SYSTEM Partner, the latest milestone in their decades-long path towards sustainability. This commitment comes on the heels of their development of the first-ever bluesign® approved PFD shell, which is featured in four of their latest lifejackets.

Founded in 2000, bluesign® helps equip brands with sustainable textile supply solutions. Through strict criteria and analysis for on-site system implementation, the bluesign® SYSTEM reduces the textile industry’s impacts on people and the environment, ensures responsible use of resources, and guarantees the highest degree of consumer protection.

From leading the charge against toxic PVC foams and phasing out neoprene in the mid-2000’s, to embracing hemp and recycled petroleum while reducing glue and heat used in production in the 2010’s, Astral has vowed to put Nature First since day one, and has a proven record of environmental innovation. Becoming a bluesign® SYSTEM Partner is just the latest step in their journey from synthetics to naturals.

“The first step in preventing damage to water and soil is understanding how chemicals affect them,” says Astral Founder & CEO Philip Curry. “bluesign®, with their deep knowledge in textile chemistry, is the partner we need to constantly evaluate our supply chain and prevent harmful chemistry getting into our products.”

Astral’s bluesign® approved PFD shell–the first of its kind–can be found in four lifejackets from Astral’s S21 lineup: the Ceiba, the EV-Eight, the E-Ronny, and the E-Linda. The Ceiba is currently available at retailers nationwide. The E-Ronny and E-Linda (currently exclusive to REI) will be available online at astraldesigns.com and at retailers nationwide starting in July. The EV-Eight (currently exclusive to L.L. Bean) will be available online at astraldesigns.com and at retailers nationwide starting in September.

For more information on Astral please visit www.astraldesigns.com or contact Dan Arnett at dan@darbycommunications.com

About Astral

Since 2002, Astral has been on a mission to protect the maximum amount of soil and water and create products that elevate your experience in Nature. Astral is strategically operated from Seattle, Portland, Asheville, and Saigon.

About  bluesign®

The bluesign® SYSTEM is the solution for sustainable textile production. It eliminates harmful substances right from the start of the manufacturing process, and it sets and controls standards for environmentally friendly and safe production. This not only ensures that the final textile product meets very stringent consumer safety requirements worldwide but also gives consumers confidence in purchasing sustainable products.

bluesign technologies ag was founded in 2000. Since then, the bluesign® SYSTEM has been adopted by worldwide leading textile and accessory manufacturers. Various significant key players in the chemical and machine industry rely on the bluesign® SYSTEM, and well-known brands in the outdoor, sportswear and fashion industry trust the extensive knowledge and services of Bluesign.

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Dan Arnett
Darby Communications
dan@darbycommunications.com
828.254.0914 o / 336.339.4987