Circular solutions: SKYPRO’s sustainability line
This is a special feature from PAX International’s June 2023 WTCE issue on page 58.
SKYPRO’s NextGen
Sustainable Uniform
Collection is made
using carefully tested,
raw materials
With a focus on reducing its environmental impact and meeting the increasing demand for sustainable products in the industry, aviation uniform company SKYPRO is set to relaunch its brand-new collection of eco-friendly uniforms: “SKYPRO NextGen Sustainable Uniform Collection.”
The company launched its initial collection of environmentally friendly uniforms in 2021. It is updated every year with new NextGen materials.
“We have been making great investments to incorporate sustainable practices into our operations,” SKYPRO’s Director of Sustainability, Ricardo Silva tells PAX International. “These investments are directed to bring to the uniform industry two unmatched offers: effective eco-friendly uniforms and a circular economy for used garments.”
The SKYPRO NextGen Sustainable Uniform Collection is currently being developed with the company’s “Zero Waste” principle approach and manufactured using raw materials that are (fully or partially) bio-based, biodegradable (as bio-based products are not always biodegradable), recycled, recyclable, or sourced from certified sustainable sources. The production process will be carried out by carefully selected producers who follow environmentally responsible procedures.
Beyond eco-friendly uniforms, SKYPRO is also committed to implementing circular economy principles throughout its business. “We believe a circular model is the best sustainability approach and a circularity program for our uniforms is on the move,” says Silva.
The circular program will aim to ensure the return and reverse logistics of uniforms, facilitate reuse through an innovative enzymatic hygienization process and small repairs, and conduct research and development for recycling solutions for garments that have been discarded for disposal.
SKYPRO’s sustainability policy includes thorough research and testing of materials to ensure eco-friendly alternatives that meet technical performance requirements. This is important as Silva points out, the textile sector is the second-most polluting industry in the world and is projected to consume 25 percent of the world’s carbon budget by 2050. Creating durable products made with the environment in mind can help reduce unnecessary waste.
“Nowadays, organizations are still hesitant to employ eco-friendly materials for uniforms due to their greater cost and inferior technical performance,” explains Silva. “So, SKYPRO embarked on a mission to find really efficient, eco-friendly alternatives. Our specialists examined over 100 materials and refined the list based on cost, transparency, resistance, and touch validation.”
From there, an independent testing lab conducted a second set of tests on selected materials. The tests collected data on dimensional stability, anti-pilling, colour fastness, washing resistance and resistance to ripping, elongation, and bursting.
Silva said, “We can now offer unmatched next-generation textiles manufactured from regenerated and recycled fibres, including upcycled end-of-life clothes, and our experts update their list of eco-friendly fabrics every six months to follow sustainable textile trends.”
Since presenting its first airline sustainable uniform portfolio, SKYPRO is now in discussions with several airlines on gradually substituting current uniforms with newer sustainable offerings. Currently, SKYPRO is also working on a partnership with a ground handling company to develop sustainable uniforms for intensive use, such as polo shirts, cargo pants, and t-shirts. Announcements on these items are set to be released later this year.
But the design of air travel uniforms is not just for employees — it is for everyone travelling in the air.
Jorge Pinto, CEO of SKYPRO, underlines the multitude of passenger requirements that arise from aviation uniforms, such as the importance of clearly delineating different job roles and instilling a sense of trust and connection with the company.
“More than ever, we are concentrating on producing uniforms that improve the lives of people, both airline professionals and, ultimately, passengers. When an aviation professional wears a SKYPRO uniform, we want them to feel the care we put into our garments, which are designed to make their lives simpler, more comfortable and safer,” Pinto says.
