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    Our Materials Journey

    Since 1976, the GORE-TEX® Brand has empowered those who push their limits in the harshest conditions. Rooted in materials science and driven by innovation, Gore's Fabrics business continues to advance protection and performance for the next generation of GORE-TEX® Brand technical products.
    Man hiking on a rocky path in Scotland, wearing an orange & yellow GORE-TEX Jacket

    1976:

    Launch of GORE-TEX® Outerwear

    Two firefighters battling a fire overhead

    1982–2000:

    GORE-TEX® CROSSTECH® Products and CHEMPAK® by GORE-TEX LABS Fabrics introduction

    Solider in GORE-TEX PYRAD Garments, holding a rifle

    2000-2025:

    GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Products, GORE-TEX® Pro Products, and GORE-TEX® CROSSTECH® Innovate Moisture Barrier launched

    GORE-TEX Footwear going through the flexer test

    Shaping the Future of Gore Fabrics Materials

    Our pursuit of innovation never stops. Within Gore’s Fabrics business and the GORE-TEX® Brand, we’re dedicated to exploring new materials that empower our customers and those who rely on us in the world’s toughest environments.

    That’s why we’re evolving our Fabrics materials portfolio to include innovative solutions that move beyond the use of intentionally added per and polyfluoroalkyl substances and are designed to meet evolving performance, end user, market, and regulatory expectations. These new solutions are built on deep scientific expertise along with decades of field-proven durability yet engineered to deliver the same trusted protection and comfort to meet the future demands of the industry – for garments, footwear and accessories.

    We’re innovating today to ensure you are equipped for tomorrow, reflecting our dedication to providing high-performance equipment that meets the requirements of technical professionals while upholding standards of safety, reliability, and durability.

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    What Sets These Materials Apart

    Like all GORE-TEX® Products, these new materials utilized throughout the Fabrics business are designed to meet rigorous performance standards, reflecting our commitment to developing products that perform under pressure while minimizing impacts.

    These materials will be: 

    • Engineered for durability and long-term wear
    • Created to meet the needs of technical professionals
    • Developed with a balance of sustainability, protection and comfort
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    2031 and Beyond

    We’re pioneering a fresh, bold path to the future with modern materials leveraging decades of expertise expanding the boundaries of possibility to go where others do not: first-of-their-kind technical fabrics products engineered to perform while moving outside the use of our legacy materials.

    Once proven fit for use and commercially viable, these innovative materials will continue to roll out across the Gore Fabrics portfolio and build on the success of our first complementary material, the ePE membrane, which is durably waterproof, very breathable, totally windproof, and offers a reduced carbon footprint* while being made without intentionally added per and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

    While we’re proud of how far we’ve come, we know we have a long road ahead of us.

    We intend to complete our Fabrics material portfolio transition by March 31, 2031, officially moving the business beyond the use of intentionally added per and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

    This transformation is not just about replacing older technologies—it’s about redefining what technical gear can be through modern and forward-thinking solutions.
     


    *Through the laminate’s innovative membrane and select textiles (per Higg MSI)

    Milestones to Innovation
    Woman wearing a GORE-TEX Jacket in front of a waterfall

    2023:

    ePE membrane, a new complementary material, available in some consumer fabrics product offerings and introductory field trials initiated for technical fabrics products.

    Electrical utility worker in high-visibility GORE-TEX PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS jacket performing maintenance on power equipment outdoors in wet, cold conditions

    2025:

    Complementary materials continue to scale across Gore Fabrics:

    • Consumer fabrics
    • General outdoor
    • Extreme and extended outdoor
    • Workwear
    • Launch of initial technical fabric products
    Person cycling in the rain, wearing GOREWEAR garments

    2027:

    Anticipated materials transitions completed for:

    • Consumer fabrics
    • Consumer apparel brands
      • GOREWEAR
      • Sitka Gear
    Black GORE-TEX Glove

    2028:

    Technical fabrics materials exploration conducted exclusively beyond the use of fluoropolymers.

    Man wearing orange GORE-TEX Garments, standing on a dock

    2031:

    Gore’s Fabrics materials transition intended completion.

    Advancing Toward the Future
    With over 50 projects in our innovation pipeline, we’re investing more than ever to shape what’s next. We’re channeling our resources into eight key technology areas.

    WINDSTOPPER® Products by GORE-TEX® LABS

    PYRAD® Products

    GORE-TEX® ePE Laminates

    Durability Science

    GORE-TEX® FR Laminates

    Comfort Science

    Durable Water Repellent (DWR)

    Seam Sealing

    Woman firefighter in turnout gear, standing in front of a fire truck

    Building Our Future, Together

    We know that real progress means evolving together. As we drive the future of materials science innovation for high-performance technical garments, footwear and accessories, we’re committed to open dialog, collaboration, and performance you can trust. 

    For half a century, Gore’s Fabrics business and the GORE-TEX® Brand have partnered with innovators to shape the future of performance materials. Our journey continues by listening, collaborating, and co-creating, so we’re all ready for what’s next. 

    Gore Associates working together in a meeting

    We Are Committed To:
     

    • Ongoing dialogue
    • Proven fit-for-use
    • Journey transparency
    • Testing & development collaboration
    • Science-led innovation
    • Excellent customer services

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