New Zealand : 'We support the development of yak fibre industry'

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'We support the development of yak fibre industry'

21
Mar '17

The yak fibre industry carries on its shoulders a lot of hope. "Through our support for development of the yak fibre industry, we intend to bring a change by creating a clothing line that not only performs the best, but also connects to the environment," says Stefan Warnaar, founder of Peak to Plateau. Aim is to create lasting impression with eco-textiles.

Peak to Plateau is an outdoor sportswear and adventure clothing company based in Christchurch, New Zealand. "We use yak wool that is responsibly sourced from the Tibetan Plateau. Then, we create base layers and outdoor clothing that outperforms other options. We source our fibre from companies that pay a fair price for it, helping support nomadic herding families earn reliable additional income,” Warnaar told Fibre2Fashion.

The focus is on using sustainable fibre in the clothing line, which is why Peak to Plateau also chose Tencel. As they develop and grow, the company wants to make real changes and improvements in other areas, such as dyeing, packaging, and further supporting the development of the yak fibre industry.

It has not been easy to sell and convince people to pay more. It is also challenging to convince oneself and suppliers to use more expensive materials because it is beneficial. "We overcome this by ensuring that sustainable materials also mean better quality and people are willing to pay for quality and performance," said Warnaar.

The ultimate goal is to use sustainable practices in all areas of the business, but this is not always possible. “Especially when we are a small company, it is impossible to get everything right from the beginning. At the moment, we believe there are many ways to reduce the environmental impact of dyeing the fabric, but this is a long and expensive process,” he added. It is something they plan to look into further into when the resources are available. “It is about being clear about what you are doing. Once we establish ourselves and become financially sustainable, we will be able to focus on other goals," he concluded. (RR)

Click here to read the complete interview.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India