Tagline: The World's Best Synthetic Insulation |
|
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Albany, NY, United States |
| Products | Synthetic Insulation & Yarn |
| Parent | Albany International Corp. |
| Website | www.primaloft.com |
PrimaLoft is a patented synthetic microfiber thermal insulation material (see United States Patent 4,588,635) that was developed for the United States Army in the 1980s. PrimaLoft is a registered trademark of Albany International Corp.
PrimaLoft is used as a synthetic insulation in the outdoor market in outerwear, gloves, sleeping bags, and footwear.[1] It is also used as a down alternative in the home furnishings market in pillows, comforters, and mattress toppers.[2]
In 2010, PrimaLoft was awarded compliance with the bluesign criteria for environmental impact, establishing PrimaLoft as the first branded insulation manufacturer to obtain bluesign’s system partner status.[3]
Contents |
The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Center of Natick, MA asked in the 1980s for a "synthetic down" to be used in cold weather clothing systems and sleeping bags. Parent company Albany International Corp. had worked on successful military contracts in advanced textiles before, co-developing advanced thermally protective textiles for the US Space Shuttle Orbiter Program.[4] The U.S. Army requested an alternative to goose down insulation, whose structure provides exceptional thermal performance in dry conditions, but is not effective when wet.[5]
PrimaLoft is not as lightweight as goose down, but mimics other properties of down, while being water resistant. 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.[6] 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.[7] The latter point illustrates PrimaLoft's primary advantage over down. Unlike down, 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.[8]