The startup Muntagnard from Graubünden and Innovation Unit from Zurich have won an ISPO Award. This award from the trade fair for sporting goods and sports fashion was bestowed on the MIUtec Iso jacket developed jointly. According to a Muntagnard press release, the jury honored the jacket for its design, functionality and innovative materials, which are fully biodegradable. It is “an inspiring product in times when this is exactly what is needed”.
The MIU-tec products put a focus on longevity and “closed-loop recycling”, Muntagnard explains. They are made using monomaterials rather than fabric blends, allowing materials to be recycled optimally at the end of their life. This is currently only the case for around one percent of all fabrics. Additionally, the two materials used, namely a polyamide for the fabric, thread and zips as well as the wood-based insulation layer, reportedly break down ten times more quickly. In a video, Muntagnard cofounder Dario Grünenfelder explains that all these things are currently rarely seen in this the world of sportswear.
“Creating circular sportswear without sacrificing quality, performance and comfort was a big challenge,” said Muntagnard CEO and cofounder Dario Pirovino. “We are happy that the ISPO jury shares our opinion that the awarded MIUtec ISO jacket is a great product.”