Icebreaker reports a key milestone: 98 percent of its textile fibers are now plastic-free, the highest yet for the VF Corp.-owned, New Zealand-based outerwear brand.
“It’s a milestone that reinforces something we’ve long believed: high performance doesn’t have to rely on synthetics,” said Jan Van Mossevelde, global brand president of Icebreaker. “Nature often provides the answers.”
Last year, Icebreaker reported 97.6 percent of its fiber was plastic-free across its entire line, up from 84 percent in 2018. The brand’s 2025 Transparency Report revealed that its gains were largely powered by its heavy reliance on Merino wool and regenerative farming practices.
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“Regenerative agriculture remains equally central to our work, shaped by the land and the people who care for it,” Van Mossevelde said. “Today, more than 500 growers across over 2 million hectares are part of that journey — over 80 percent of our wool now comes from farms practicing regenerative agriculture.”
Icebreaker’s 75 Featherlight Tee — a 100 percent plastic-free running apparel top — became a top seller and won a 2024 ISPO Award. The 800 RealFleece Classic Pile fleece, meanwhile, was introduced to deliver warmth and comfort while cutting reliance on petrochemical fibers.
To note, the phrase “100 percent plastic-free fibers” refers specifically to the fiber content of the fabric itself, excluding trims and decorations.
And while Icebreaker works toward 100 percent plastic-free fibers, its Repair Station addressed the post-purchase impact. Launched on Oct. 18 — also known as World Repair Day — the virtual hub offers tutorials and guidance to help consumers mend and extend the life of their garments.
The initiative mirrors the brand’s commitment to storytelling and responsibility seen in its partnership with Protect Our Winters. While the “Downstream” documentary — created in partnership with the climate impact nonprofit and supported by the VF Foundation — focused on raising awareness about global glacier loss, the Repair Station provides a tangible, individual way for consumers to act on those values of responsibility at home.
On the “Downstream” front, the film specifically engages with winter-sports communities, per the report, connecting the documentary’s environmental preservation and “What melts up there, matters down here” theme to the impact of climate change on the natural world. Through 44 screenings and Q&A sessions, the documentary reportedly reached an audience of more than 170,000 people.
“Transparency has always been part of who we are,” Van Mossevelde said. “It shapes how we design, how we source and how we take responsibility for our impact.”
