Polartec, a brand of Milliken & Company, is a pioneer of innovative and sustainable textile solutions for the outdoor industry. For the SS2026 season, the company is presenting an expanded Power Shield™ collection. The waterproof shell fabrics with low environmental impact are made from recycled and plant-based nylons and offer superior performance, durability and comfort – for demanding applications and consumers who expect more.
“Beyond Begins Today” is both the slogan of the Polartec campaign and the motto of the company, which looks back on decades of research into sustainable and high-performance textile innovations. As early as 1993, Polartec set a milestone with the introduction of fleece made from recycled polyester from plastic bottles. Its PFAS-free membranes and environmentally friendly processes have won numerous awards and show that commitment to high performance and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. For the 2026 spring/summer season, Polartec can add another building block to its series of sustainable innovations.
“For over three decades, Polartec has prioritized creating technologies that push the boundaries of sustainability while enhancing product durability,” says Ramesh Kesh, Senior Vice President of Milliken & Company and Business Manager at Polartec. “The Power Shield™ family represents our boldest step yet in addressing environmental impact while advancing the comfort and performance of our extensive offer.”
Plant-based Power Shield™ Pro
With the goal of moving away from petroleum-based raw materials and environmentally harmful chemicals, Polartec introduces the new Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro, a waterproof, breathable, non-PFAS laminate made in part from plant-based Biolon nylon.
As a renewable, non-GMO plant-based nylon, the Biolon™ plant-based inputs account for approximately half (45-48%)** of the nylon content in the new Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro membrane and delivers a 50% lower carbon footprint than virgin Nylon 6,6, the gold standard against which other nylons are measured. Furthermore, its nylon properties are closer to Nylon 6,6 than many recycled nylon alternatives currently on the market. From a performance perspective, award-winning Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro delivers 20/20 breathable waterproof protection (20k mm water resistance (ISO 811) / 20k g/m2/24hrs breathability (JIS L1099, B1).
Polartec® Power Shield™ RPM: PFAS-free, recycled and recyclable
Polartec® Power Shield™ RPM is a highly durable 100% recycled polyester fabric that revolutionizes weather protection by offering best-in-class waterproofness and breathability combined with high-stretch comfort, resilience and durability. This fabric features a highly durable non-PFAS coating to repel precipitation and has a 10,000 mm hydrostatic head to keep external moisture out and industry-leading breathability of 30,000 g/m²/24hrs. Polartec® Power Shield™ RPM is available in both 3-Layer and 2-Layer versions.
Designed with runners, cyclists, competitive athletes and golfers in mind, the fabric helps solve one of the biggest problems for competitive outdoor enthusiasts: underperformance due to overheating. This high-performance fabric delivers superior stretch and resilience, making it the go-to choice for anyone who refuses to trade sustainability for functionality.
Furthermore, the use of sustainably sourced recycled polyester reduces both the product’s carbon footprint while helping encourage circularity.
Against the loss of fibers
Polartec’s portfolio of sustainable materials goes beyond the raw material used for fibers and finishes. Sustainable improvements in construction can also help protect the planet. With the Polartec® Shed Less™ technology, the company showcases another innovative process that decreases fiber fragment shedding during home laundering up to 85%*** without compromising the performance or durability of the fabrics it’s applied to. Less shedding means fewer microfiber fragments end up in the oceans and waterways. This one-of-a-kind technology is globally available on the most iconic Polartec recycled fleeces, Polartec® 200 and Micro™ Series.
Polartec® Micro™ Series is a premium recycled fleece with Polartec® Shed Less™ technology and a lofted structure with thermal air pockets to retain warmth without compromising breathability. Highly durable yet incredibly soft, Polartec® Micro™ is both water repellent and quick drying, making it the most versatile synthetic fleece on the market.
* Biolon™ is a trademark of Milliken & Company.
** Biolon™ plant-based inputs account for about 45-48% of the nylon in our fabrics and membranes, which lowers carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels by 50%, without impacting on human food sources.
*** Test results using AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) TM212-2021 test method for fiber fragment release during home laundering.
