FREITAG's circularity goals: From truck tarps to trending - Specialty Fabrics Review

Swatches | September 1, 2024 | By: ATA

FREITAG, a Zurich, Switzerland-based apparel and bag company, aims to create a closed-loop system of fashion manufacturing using biodegradable and compostable materials to make products that can return to the field after use.

Founded in 1993 by brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag, the company produces upcycled bags with a focus on keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible. The first bag, the F13 TOP CAT messenger bag, was made from truck tarps, discarded bicycle inner tubes and B-stock car seat belts. Now, there are more than 50 FREITAG models, from laptop bags to backpacks, wallets and phone cases.

Most FREITAG bags are made from discarded truck tarps, but some bags feature other recycled materials, including three models the company released in October 2023. The F670 WARREN, F680 ANDERSON and F690 COSTON are made from discarded truck tarps and reflectors, fabric made of 100% recycled PET bottles, a water-repellent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating and B-stock car seat belts.

The company receives discarded tarp materials from around the world at its factory where they are taken apart, then washed and hung in a drying room. After washing and drying, products are designed to result in as many bags as possible from each tarp. The marked tarp sections then go to partners in Portugal, Czechia, also known as the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Romania, and the individual pieces are stitched into bags. The finished products return to the factory where they undergo quality control tests, are photographed and then are sent to FREITAG’s 30 brick-and-mortar stores.

FREITAG apparel, including men’s and women’s pants, shirts, jackets and sweatshirts, are made from F-ABRIC, a compostable textile the company created in 2014. F-ABRIC consists of modal and hemp and flax bast fiber.

In addition to bags and apparel, FREITAG is actively researching and developing a truck tarp that can be reused after its life as a bag or be recycled. Two prototypes currently are undergoing road tests. Prototype T001 features fabric and coating made of polypropylene and has been on the road since June 2022. Prototype T002 is made of TPU and polyester fabric and has been on the road since December 2022.

The company offers a takeback program for its CIRC-CASES and Mono[PA6] Backpacks. The phone cases are made of recycled TPU sourced from old ski boots, and customers can return used cases to a FREITAG store or send them to the company via mail. Once returned, the cases are shredded into granulate, which is used to make more phone cases or other products. The Mono[PA6] Backpacks are made from polyamide 6, or nylon, and can also be returned to the company where they are sent to be shredded and processed into polyamide 6 granulate and used to make new things, such as components for new backpacks.

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