Choosing the right recycled activewear fabric can be daunting. Not only do manufacturers have to carefully select fabrics that are both stretchy and breathable, but seamstresses have to hone their skills when it comes to stitching these unique materials. Whether you’re gearing up for your next workout session or aiming for peak performance in competition season – quality sustainable activewear is sure to keep you moving with comfort and style.
And with the fashion industry constantly evolving, it can be difficult for small- to mid-sized businesses looking to create their own custom designs. Unfortunately, many clothing manufacturers tend to prioritize bulk orders leaving smaller operations at a disadvantage – but there are still options out there.
Therefore, finding the right manufacturer should be a priority for anyone looking to design fitness clothing using sportswear recycled fabrics. Decide on a company that can put together exactly what you need in order to yield maximum results!
Luckily, companies like Deepwear make this process easier. And if you’re looking to produce quality sportswear and are having trouble navigating the different manufacturing processes, Deepwear takes the work out of it. Our team appreciates that customers have their own unique vision for what they want their product to look like. That’s why we take pride in supporting our clients every step of the way, from start to finish. We understand what it means to make a durable yet sustainable activewear item and feel confident in our network of experienced garment manufacturers who provide our customers with a variety of high-grade materials. All you need is an idea, and Deepwear can handle the rest.
Deepwear is also proud to be based in one of the global hubs of activewear production in Europe, Portugal. Portugal stands out as a major player in the activewear scene; their workmanship gives products a unique look and feels far from any competitors.
With that said, in this article, we will show you how your chosen manufacturers produce your fitness attire the right way.
Adaptation of the textile industry
Recent technological advancements have created the best fabrics for the environment in order to fill a growing consumer demand for sustainable and practical clothing.
This has ultimately pushed the industry towards a circular economy that allows for more efficient use of materials and sustainable manufacturing processes. And in a short time, the textile industry has gone from being part of the problem to becoming part of the solution.
Companies have embraced a revolutionary strategy: transforming discarded plastics into high-quality, durable sustainable activewear fabrics. Through this initiative, it hopes to give these materials new life and put them to use in fashionable garments that make a positive impact. Because of this, it has shown consumers that even global industries can move towards environmentally friendly athletic wear.
Why should you use recycled fabrics iN Sports?
Sportswear has the potential to make a real impact on this change.
With its performance and technological demands, the sports textile industry is perfectly positioned to drastically reduce environmental harm by replacing synthetic fabric with recycled materials. Now more than ever, conscious consumption can be both practical and fashionable.
And technologies have made astounding strides in transforming recycled plastic into fibers of remarkable quality, mimicking the texture and aesthetic qualities of virgin plastics. This has led to a host of fabrics that are indistinguishable from non-recycled alternatives; this revolutionizes what is possible with sustainable materials.
And by using recycled activewear, athletes are not sacrificing quality or performance. For example, polyester is a remarkably resilient and versatile fabric, allowing it to be used in all textiles, fashion, sports, and outdoor fashion. And recycled polyester offers all the same qualities – such as lightweight, crease-resistant properties – while also being sustainable and affordable.
Types of recycled and sustainable activewear sportswear
In this section, we are going to focus more on synthetic fabrics since it’s most common for sportswear.
Classification of recycled polyester sportswear fabrics is as follows:
- Plastic waste (post-consumer): mostly plastic bottles. Repreve, in particular, is the world’s notable brand when it comes to recycled fiber made from plastic bottles.
- Waste from the sea (post-consumer): made from plastics, mostly bottles, collected at sea by fishermen or specialized companies. For example, the brand Seaqual is mainly responsible for collecting this waste.
- Recycled textiles (post-consumer): clothing or products that are redesigned into yarn with which the fabrics are rewoven.
- Industrial waste (pre-consumption): such as surpluses, defects, or waste from the textile industry.
Other sources of recycled polyamide fabrics:
- Fishing nets (post-consumer): collected nets at sea, although they are very scarce, or from old nets discarded by fishermen.
- Recycled textiles (post-consumer): clothing or products that are transformed into yarn with which the fabrics are rewoven.
- Industrial waste (pre-consumption): such as surpluses, defects, or waste from the textile industry.
Deepwear with SUSTAINABLE recycling
Recycled fabric is a great way to not only produce attractive clothes and accessories but also to save resources in sportswear manufacturing. For example, it significantly reduces water consumption (by 20%), power consumption (by 50%) as well as CO2 emissions (by 60%). On top of that recycled sportswear fabric is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way of purchasing trousers, jackets, and more. Even better – regardless of how often you wash the item it will still look and feel just like new.
And Deepwear has held sustainability as a core part of our corporate values and part of that is making sure that only recycled materials are employed for all of our products. In order to do this, we go above and beyond in ensuring not only reliability but also credibility with our manufacturers and partners. Each member of our team takes pride in being present on-site to supervise and monitor the production process, inspect the factories and their environment, and audit certifications. We recognize that true sustainability comes from taking ownership of each stage in the production chain. This commitment is what makes us different from others and allows us to use only prime materials while preserving the planet’s natural reserves.
Recycled polyester sportswear fabrics
With a large network of sustainable activewear fabric factories, Deepwear will be able to offer elastic and compressive recycled fabrics that combine polyester with lycra. We are also able to let our clients experience the utmost comfort and breathability with R+Tour: the light mesh is perfect for t-shirt accessories. For optimal elasticity, flexibility, and coverage we can source three specialty fabrics to meet your needs – R+Carmen’s ultra-smooth microfiber knit fabric provides a luxurious feel while our 2.0 fine gauge interlock of both R+Merida (featuring Clean Cut technology) & eco-friendly sea recycled polyester Seaqual in the form of R+Ariel offers superior quality that is featherweight yet dependable!
Furthermore, our sportswear fabrics supplier can also provide 100% recycled polyester fabrics for various applications. From R+Fresno, a super breathable choice perfect for sports shirts to extra light and resistant R+Aliance that’s ideal for rugby tees. As you can see, there is something suitable for every activity! And if running accessories are what you are looking for then a mini mesh fabric is a way to go; the R+Clark with Seaqual fiber blend in its construction will provide excellent ventilation performance when it comes down to cycling or any other strenuous physical exercise.
Recycled polyamide fabrics
Last, Deepwear’s collaboration with recycled activewear factories has allowed us to offer a pre-consumer recycled polyamide fabric for the swimwear market. For instance, R+Fenix, a plain knit fabric with 20% lycra, is perfect for bikinis and swimsuits.
We believe in delivering excellence and proudly partner up with top sportswear manufacturing companies that provide a wide range of quality recycled fibers that meet the same standards as non-recycled fabrics.
Why Source Your Sustainable Activewear Fabrics in Portugal?
If you’re looking for a country that can provide the perfect mix of sustainable production, quality materials, and ethical manufacturing practices, then Portugal should be at the top of your list. With decades of experience in quality garment production and a focus on sustainability, Portugal is an excellent choice for producing activewear clothing.
Portugal has long been known as a leader in quality apparel production. The country boasts some of the latest technology and sophisticated facilities to ensure that each piece produced meets exacting standards. Additionally, with its wide selection of high-quality fabrics, manufacturers in Portugal can produce garments with superior durability while still maintaining their commitment to sustainability.
When it comes to ethical practices, Portuguese manufacturers are second-to-none. All workers must adhere to strict regulations set by the European Union that guarantee fair wages and safe working conditions for all employees. Many Portuguese factories also work closely with non-profit organizations such as Fair Wear Foundation to ensure that all workers are treated fairly throughout the entire production process.
Furthermore, Portugal is also leading the way when it comes to sustainable production solutions. The country has recently implemented several innovative initiatives designed to reduce waste and conserve energy throughout the manufacturing process. From utilizing renewable energy sources like solar power and wind turbines to investing in water conservation technologies, Portuguese companies are doing their part to reduce their environmental impact and create a more sustainable future.
Sustainable Activewear Manufacturing with DEEPWEAR
Here at DEEPWEAR, we strive to provide our customers with fashionable sustainable activewear sourced at the hub of fashion innovation, Portugal. We are passionate about offering high-quality products and services to our customers. And our Deepwear Portugal team is constantly present on the ground making sure that each step is met with the highest standard of quality control. We work diligently with only the greatest factories in Portugal to source and manufacture the finest activewear fabrics possible, guaranteeing that our customers receive only superb quality products. Our expertise in the field provides us with an incomparable competitive advantage that we use for creating luxurious comfort for all our loyal and new customers. Contact Us
If you would like to discuss your existing product line or need guidance on where to start with developing something new, book a call with our team so we can set you on the right track.