Páramo wins Guardian Sustainable Business Award

Press Release / 11.06.2016

Páramo Directional Clothing was  announced as the winner in the ‘Bold Move’ category of the prestigious Guardian Sustainable Business Awards, presented by Ben Fogle in an inspirational ceremony. This recognised the significance of Páramo becoming the first outdoor company to sign up to Greenpeace Detox commitment, leading the outdoor industry in ensuring hazardous, persistent pollutants are excluded from textile production.

The resulting publicity from this sign-up was linked with professional climber, David Bacci, successfully summiting Fitz Roy in Patagonia wearing PFC-free Páramo clothing.  This proved very positive in educating the consumer to seek out and request waterproofs that do not use per- or poly-fluorinated compounds (PFCs) and pressurising Outdoor companies across the globe to re-examine their sourcing and supply policies. 

In their coverage of this Award, the Guardian explains “Páramo is one of the few PFC-free outdoor brands currently on the market. In a demonstration of industry leadership, the apparel company came out publicly this year to support Greenpeace’s call for an end to the use of this toxic chemical in outdoor gear.”

Páramo waterproofs use an alternative fabric technology, Nikwax Analogy, developed by the company’s founder, Nick Brown. Most other outdoor brands are wedded to the use of PFC-based water repellents. These materials are released and break down to form extremely toxic and persistent chemicals which have migrated to the furthest reaches of the world. Recent Greenpeace research demonstrated that PFCs are found in even the most pristine environments. Outdoor brands continue to use PFCs because they are nervous that, without them, their products would not stand up to the technical demands required in wild conditions.

However, Páramo has shown that waterproof performance does not require PFC pollution. Páramo’s clothing has been used by many expeditions very successfully, including the well-publicised summiting of Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia by professional climber David Bacci in January this year. He chose the exposed East Pillar, the most challenging of routes, and endured brutal weather, demonstrating that PFC-free clothing can take on the toughest mountain conditions.

A spokesperson for Greenpeace’s Detox campaign, Cecilia Preite Martinez, told the Guardian, “Páramo is setting the highest standard in the whole outdoor sector and this example should encourage bigger brands to take the lead for a toxic-free future.”

About Páramo

Páramo is a leading British producer of high performance outdoor clothing, started in 1992 by Nick Brown, founder of the renowned waterproofing manufacturer Nikwax. Páramo uses unique directional Nikwax fabrics, which offer superior moisture management for outdoor activities. Innovative Nikwax Analogy® Waterproof material offers a high performance alternative to conventional membrane and laminate fabrics which rely on perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) to achieve their waterproofing. The risks to the environment and human health presented by PFCs in outdoor clothing have been outlined in the Greenpeace reports ‘Chemistry for any weather’ 2012 and 2013 and ‘Footprints in the Snow’ (Sept 2015).

Páramo combines intelligent design and functional details to offer optimum weather protection and high comfort even in the harshest conditions. All Páramo products are rigorously tested and recommended by outdoor athletes and professionals. As a result, Páramo has become a leading clothing of choice for Mountain Rescue Teams and expeditionary workforces such as the British Antarctic Survey.

Páramo production is based at the Miquelina Foundation in Colombia, which helps socially disadvantaged women create a better life for themselves and their families. Many thousands of women and their families have benefited from Páramo’s involvement during the 20+ year partnership. Furthermore, all Páramo garments are 100% recyclable through the Páramo Recycling Scheme.