{{Short description|Brand of insulation materials}} {{promotional|date=February 2014}} {{Infobox company | name = PrimaLoft | logo = PrimaLoft Company Logo.png | type = Subsidiary | genre = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = 1983 | founder = | defunct = | location_city = Latham, New York | location_country = United States | location = | locations = | area_served = | key_people = | industry = Manufacturing | products = Synthetic insulation | production = | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = PrimaLoft, Inc. | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|primaloft.com}} | footnotes = }}
[[File:Adidas belgements primaloft cycling gilet.jpg|thumb|A Primaloft insulated cycling gilet from adidas.]]
'''PrimaLoft''' is a brand of patented synthetic microfiber thermal insulation material that was developed for the United States Army in the 1980s. PrimaLoft is a registered trademark of PrimaLoft, Inc., the brand's parent company.
PrimaLoft synthetic insulation is used in winter clothing, outerwear, gloves, sleeping bags, and footwear.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brands using PrimaLoft |url=http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/markets.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717140518/http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/markets.html |archive-date=2010-07-17 |accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref> It is also used as a down alternative in pillows, comforters, and mattress toppers.<ref>{{cite web |title=PrimaLoft Home |url=http://www.primaloft.com/home/brands.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726102239/http://www.primaloft.com/home/brands.html |archive-date=2011-07-26 |accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref>
==History== {{Update section|date=February 2026}} In 1983 the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Natick, MA approached PrimaLoft's former parent company Albany International Corp., a global advanced textile and material processing company,<ref>{{cite web |title=Albany International Corp. History |url=http://ww3.albint.com/about/research/Pages/protectionSystems.aspx |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707103505/http://ww3.albint.com/about/research/Pages/protectionSystems.aspx |archivedate=2011-07-07 |accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref> to develop a water resistant synthetic alternative to goose down for use in military sleeping bags and clothing systems in variable environmental conditions. The U.S. Army was primarily interested in a synthetic insulation that would be comparable to goose down in weight, compressibility, and warmth, but also retain heat while in the presence of moisture. In 1985, [https://patents.google.com/patent/US4588635 United States Patent 4,588,635] for "synthetic down" was filed and ultimately approved in May 1986. This original non-woven insulation would eventually be renamed as PrimaLoft ONE. PrimaLoft was then established as a business subsidiary of Albany International Corp. in 1988 for commercialization.
In 1989, the first commercially available PrimaLoft insulated garment was manufactured by L.L.Bean. A 1990 ''New York Times'' article titled [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/10/news/outdoor-wear-sorting-out-the-choices.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm "Outdoor Wear: Sorting Out the Choices"] featured statements by Edward Howell, then L.L. Bean's director of product development, describing PrimaLoft insulation as a high-loft synthetic alternative to down with similar performance dry, but superior performance wet. Since then, PrimaLoft has gone on to become a major supplier of high performance, technical insulation for the outdoor industry.
In 2007, PrimaLoft introduced a product extension of yarn. The yarn is 100% polyester or a blend of 45% polyester fibers and 55% merino wool, and is used in socks, sweaters, base layers, and accessories intended mainly for outdoor wear.<ref>{{cite web |title=PrimaLoft YARN |url=http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/products/primaloft-yarn.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714231751/http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/products/primaloft-yarn.html |archive-date=2012-07-14 |accessdate=2012-07-02}}</ref>
In 2010, PrimaLoft was the first maker of branded insulation to be recognized for compliance with the Bluesign system<ref>{{cite web |title=bluesign® standard |url=http://www.bluesign.com/index.php?id=151 |accessdate=2012-07-02}}</ref> for sustainable textile production.<ref>{{cite web |title=PrimaLoft Named First Branded Insulation Manufacturer to Obtain bluesign System Partner Status |url=http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/media/press/press-releases/primaloft%C2%AE-insulation-technology-named-first-branded-insulation-manufacturer-to-obtain-bluesign%C2%AE-system-partner-status.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120322165339/http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/media/press/press-releases/primaloft%C2%AE-insulation-technology-named-first-branded-insulation-manufacturer-to-obtain-bluesign%C2%AE-system-partner-status.html |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref> In 2015, PrimaLoft was the largest global supplier of bluesign approved insulation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PrimaLoft, Inc. Confirmed As Largest Global Supplier of bluesign® Approved Insulations {{!}} Outdoor Industry Association |url=https://outdoorindustry.org/press-release/primaloft-inc-confirmed-as-largest-global-supplier-of-bluesign-approved-insulations/ |accessdate=2015-09-02 |website=Outdoor Industry Association}}</ref>
On June 29, 2012, PrimaLoft, Inc. completed the acquisition of the assets of PrimaLoft® from former parent Albany International Corp. The company then became a privately held company as a result of the transaction.<ref>{{cite web |title=PrimaLoft Completes Sale |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/morning_call/2012/07/primaloft-finalizes-split-from-albany.html?ana=yfcpc |accessdate=2012-07-02}}</ref> PrimaLoft, Inc. moved its headquarters to Latham, NY in December 2013.
In October, 2017, PrimaLoft, Inc. was acquired by an investor group led by private equity firm Victor Capital Partners, in partnership with Allstate's private equity group.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=PrimaLoft, Inc. Partners With Victor Capital Partners To Accelerate Its Growth Strategy |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/primaloft-inc-partners-with-victor-capital-partners-to-accelerate-its-growth-strategy-300533888.html |first=PrimaLoft |access-date=2018-10-25 |website=www.prnewswire.com}}</ref>
==Thermal performance== Wool has traditionally been regarded as a good material to use for cold, wet weather due to its ability to provide insulation when wet.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} In cold and dry areas, down provides warmth and comfort but it becomes a liability when it gets wet. The design goal of PrimaLoft was to create a fabric that would offer the same level of insulation effectiveness as down, even when wet.
The original patent filed for PrimaLoft insulation, known as "Synthetic Down" and filed in May 1986, describes a particular mix of synthetic microfibers and macrofibers that compares favorably to down.<ref>{{cite web |title=US Patent 4,588,635 |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US4588635 |access-date=2011-04-13}}</ref> It was proven to provide an equally efficient thermal barrier, be of equivalent density, possess similar compressional properties, have improved wetting and drying characteristics, and have superior loft retention when wet.<ref>{{cite web |title=US Patent 4,588,635 |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US4588635 |access-date=2011-04-13}}</ref> However, down still has a better weight to warmth performance when dry. <ref>{{cite web |last=DesMarais |first=Max |title=PrimaLoft Vs. Down Insulation: Everything You Need To Know |url=https://hikingandfishing.com/primaloft-vs-down-insulation/ |website=My Outdoor Basecamp}}</ref>
Unlike down, synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft is able to retain 96% of its insulating capability when wet by maintaining its loft, and therefore is used in clothing and equipment intended to be used in cold, wet conditions, such as jackets, parkas, gloves, sleeping bags and footwear.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brands using PrimaLoft |url=http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/markets.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717140518/http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/markets.html |archive-date=2010-07-17 |accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref> The warmth of clothing is influenced by the type of synthetic insulation used and its thickness, with thicker insulation trapping more heat.
== Products == PrimaLoft first introduced a product containing post-consumer recycled content in 2007, meant for footwear applications.
In 2016, PrimaLoft introduced a synthetic insulation product for apparel containing 55% post-consumer recycled content. This application was first used by Patagonia in their Nano Puff line of products.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Patagonia Changes The Nano Puff For Good With All-New PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco |url=http://www.patagoniaworks.com/press/2016/7/27/patagonia-changes-the-nano-puff-for-good-with-all-new-primaloft-gold-insulation-eco |access-date=2018-10-25 |work=Patagonia Works |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2018, PrimaLoft announced three insulation products made from 100% post-consumer recycled content<ref>{{Cite news |title=PrimaLoft, Inc. Elevates Sustainability and Performance with Debut of 100% Recycled Insulation Technologies |url=https://www.snewsnet.com/press-release/primaloft-inc-elevates-sustainability-and-performance-with-debut-of-100-recycled-insulation-technologies |access-date=2018-10-25 |work=SNEWS |language=en-us}}</ref> and a synthetic insulation made from biodegradable fibers.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=PrimaLoft, Inc. Debuts PrimaLoft® Bio, the First Synthetic Insulation Made from 100% Recycled, Biodegradable Fibers |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/primaloft-inc-debuts-primaloft-bio-the-first-synthetic-insulation-made-from-100-recycled-biodegradable-fibers-300735569.html |language=en |access-date=2018-10-25 |website=PR Newswire}}</ref>
===Yarn=== Products made of PrimaLoft Yarn are available in 100% polyester or a blend of 45% polyester and 55% merino wool, both of which provide high levels of thermal comfort and moisture management for the end user.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
PrimaLoft was introduced into new yarn product segments as follows: *2006: Socks by L.L. Bean{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *2010: Sweaters by ExOfficio{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *2011: Base Layer by Adidas Outdoor{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
==Certifications== Third party testing and certification of Primaloft includes: *Thermal performance validations at Hohenstein Institute in Bonnigheim, Germany{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *Thermal performance testing at Kansas State University’s textile and apparel research institutions{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *ISO 11092 certification for thermal wet/dry performance{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *Oeko-tex standard 100 environmental evaluation standard{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *bluesign certification for environmental impact{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *Global Recycled Standard for third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} *ASTM D5511 testing for biodegradable fiber technology{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
==Care== Garments made with synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft are generally machine washable in cool to warm water with a mild detergent. Garments can be tumble dried at low temperatures. <ref>{{Cite web |title=How To Wash Arc’teryx Product Care - Arc'teryx |url=https://arcteryx.com/us/en/help/product-care/wash-dry-synthetic-insulation |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Arc'teryx Equipment |language=en}}</ref> Using bleach and fabric softener should be avoided. Specific care instructions vary per garment.
==See also== * Thinsulate
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.primaloft.com/index.html Official Website]
Category:Brand name materials Category:Insulators