Is limestone neoprene environmentally friendly?
Although not completely eco-friendly, limestone neoprene is still considerably greener than the neoprene manufacturing of the past which used crude oil and petrochemicals to make the chloroprene rubber in neoprene.
Who makes limestone neoprene?
Yamamoto Corporation
The 1960s saw a new type of neoprene pioneered by Japan’s Yamamoto Corporation. Instead of traditional oil-based neoprene, Yamamoto developed special technology to convert the calcium carbonate from limestone into chloroprene rubber chips, producing limestone neoprene.
Why is neoprene bad?
“Nearly every other wetsuit on the market comes in neoprene, a bouncy synthetic rubber derived from petroleum or limestone (both of which are non-renewable resources). Neoprene doesn’t biodegrade, and Lorick’s research found that 380 tons of it gets thrown away every year.
How bad is neoprene for the environment?
Like most petrochemical-derived fabrics, neoprene has a significantly negative impact on the environment. It’s not biodegradable, and the outdoor apparel company Finisterre estimates approximately 419 tons get thrown away in the UK every year.
How do you make limestone neoprene?
The polychloroprene rubber chips are melted and mixed together with foaming agents and black carbon pigments, and then baked in an oven to make it expand. It’s during this process that Yamamoto’s specialized technology combines with the calcium carbonate to create the micro-cell structure of limestone neoprene.
How is neoprene made from limestone?
Most of the claims revolve around the use of neoprene made from limestone rather than petroleum. The sponge is made from polychloroprene rubber chips, commonly called neoprene. These are melted and mixed together with foaming (blowing) agents and pigment, usually carbon black, and baked in an oven to make it expand.
Is neoprene made from petroleum?
The most common method used to make neoprene is derived from petroleum. The many implications of this oil based product on the environment include the release of gases and synthetic chemicals into the air.
How is limestone used in wetsuits?
In short, limestone-based neoprene is more effective, more comfortable and longer lasting than its petroleum counterpart. These closed cells are essentially air bubbles packed tightly together within the chemical structure of the neoprene.