ALLIED Feather + Down Reports 85% Lower Carbon Emissions Than Estimated Industry Average

Carbon footprint audit of ALLIED’s Hangzhou facility measures 0.48 kg CO₂e per kg of down processed.

Audit Quantifies Carbon Footprint of Down Processing

ALLIED Feather + Down has announced the results of a carbon footprint audit conducted at its facility in Hangzhou, China. According to results reported by Green Threads DPP, ALLIED’s cradle-to-gate down processing generates 85% less carbon emissions than the estimated industry average.

The audit uses actual facility and supply-chain data to assess emissions associated specifically with down processing. The findings provide brands with a more specific benchmark for evaluating the carbon impact of down and the processes used to prepare it for finished products.

“We've known for years that down plays an important role in building a more circular and lower-impact apparel value chain,” said Daniel Uretsky, President of ALLIED Feather + Down. “These audited results allow us to put real numbers behind that belief. The data shows that our processing methods deliver a dramatically lower carbon footprint than other down providers, giving brands objective information they can use when making material decisions.”

0.48 Kg CO₂e per Kg of Down

The audit found that ALLIED’s processing methods generated 0.48 kg CO₂e per kg of down. This is approximately:

• 85% lower than the estimated industry average of 3.2 kg CO₂e per kg for conventional down.
• 57.9% lower than the published figure of 1.14 kg CO₂e per kg for recycled down.
• 95% lower than the estimated carbon footprint of polyester fibres used in alternative insulation.

The audit was conducted by Green Threads DPP, which evaluated greenhouse gas emissions associated with ALLIED’s down processing operations. The assessment included the slaughterhouse impact, transportation and processing at ALLIED’s facility in China.

Water Reclamation and Renewable Energy

The reported results reflect measures implemented across ALLIED’s facilities and supply chain.

At its Hangzhou facility, ALLIED uses an on-site water reclamation system that enables 95% of water to be reused, with approximately 5% lost through evaporation.

Solar power and operational efficiencies have also contributed to lower energy consumption and carbon emissions. In addition, ALLIED’s long-standing partnership with its detergent supplier led to the development of detergents designed to work effectively in cold water and rinse more easily.

The approach reduces the water required for additional rinse cycles while also lowering energy and gas consumption.

“These results reinforce what makes ALLIED’s down unique within the global insulation category,” added Uretsky. “Not only is down a renewable material that already exists as a byproduct of the food industry, but when combined with our processing methods, it also creates significantly less carbon. That's a powerful combination for brands looking to reduce environmental impact without compromising performance.”

Carbon Data for Digital Product Passport Requirements

As Digital Product Passport requirements develop, apparel and outdoor brands are expected to require greater access to material-level carbon information.

ALLIED’s audit provides brands with information that can support material selection, sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance.

The data is currently available to ALLIED’s partner brands and is expected to become available more broadly through its TrackMyDown hangtags and TrackMyDown website.

Standards Used for Carbon Footprint Calculations

ALLIED stated that its down carbon footprint calculations use annual data covering energy, water, wastewater and detergent consumption.

The calculations are produced in accordance with:

1. ISO 14067:2018 — Carbon Footprint of Products
2. PAS 2050:2011 — Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services
3. Product Category Rules – Apparel, Except Fur and Leather Apparel (PCR 2024:03)

Comparison With Virgin and Recycled Down

For comparison, the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) database reports a carbon footprint of 4.15 kg CO₂e per kg of virgin down. This figure includes bird-raising impacts, which the published IDFB LCA estimates at approximately 23% of the total.

ALLIED’s assessment of processing-related environmental impacts in China includes slaughterhouse impact, transportation and final processing at its China facility, but does not include the raising of the birds.

After removing the estimated bird-raising impact based on the IDFB LCA, the PEF database figure for down processing is estimated at 3.2 kg CO₂e per kg of down.

For recycled down, the cited figures do not include impacts associated with collecting post-consumer goods or industrial delivery and recycling centres. The recycled down carbon footprint figures are based on the PEF database.

Methodology for Polyester Comparison

The carbon footprint comparison between ALLIED’s down and polyester fibre is based on ALLIED’s cradle-to-gate down processing data and estimated polyester fibre production data from ecoinvent version 3.12.

The assessment uses the IPCC 2021 100-year global warming potential. It does not include upstream impacts associated with petroleum extraction and refining for polyester production.

ALLIED to Attend Major Textile Events

ALLIED Feather + Down will participate in several industry events this autumn, including Functional Textiles in Shanghai, Performance Days in Munich and Functional Fabric Fair in Portland.