Sane Membrane

A biodegradable and mineral-based membrane for outdoor wear.

Awarded: €250,000 Year: 2019 Company: Dimpora

Mario Stucki, Anna Beltzung

Switzerland

Dimpora’s vision is to provide sustainable solutions for performance wear in order to enjoy nature in its fullest, without damaging it.

Dimpora stands for the combination of dimension and pore. Both are key to their vision of a seamless breathable membrane formed directly on any 3D surface. They believe in the preservation and conservation of nature. 

Compared to many current membranes theirs are completely free of bio-accumulative toxins. They use high-end technologies to create new products for you to enjoy being outside. A fully biodegradable option is under development.

It’s ironic that clothes designed for people who truly love nature often bring considerable damage to the environment. The root of this problem lies within the harmful substances added to outdoor wear to help the garments withstand rain and harsh weather conditions. The Sane Membrane is here to change all that, this non-toxic, mineral-based and fluorine-free alternative consists of a biodegradable solution that does the job just as effectively but naturally. It can be added to any kind of garment in the form of a micro-thin membrane that shields against the elements in a sustainable way.

Greenpeace released in 2017 a report condemning the use of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in the clothing industry. Those chemicals revealed to be extremely hazardous and persistent in the environment. As a matter of fact, accumulation of PFCs were found in the liver of polar bears and in human blood as well as in secluded mountains and lakes. It is therefore of the utmost importance that nature enthusiasts keep their beloved outdoor spaces PFCs free. With Dimpora, we are addressing the need of replacing fluorinated polymers in the apparel industry with a new material with equal if not better properties.