Alpenshield offers Boreo, a plant-based, PFC-free and petroleum-free water-repellent coating that makes everyday apparel and gear waterproof while remaining breathable. The water-based formula, derived from plant waste, outperforms commercial products and can be applied at home via spray, soak, or rub. It works on diverse fabrics like cotton and polyester, providing an eco-friendly alternative to toxic chemical treatments.
- Clean Technology
- New Materials
Funding
Founders
Product
Problem
Conventional durable water repellent (DWR) coatings rely on PFCs and petroleum-based chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. These toxic treatments are commonly applied to outdoor apparel and gear, raising concerns about exposure during use and contamination of water systems after washing.
Solution
Alpenshield provides Boreo, a patent-pending, superhydrophobic coating that replaces hazardous PFC- and petroleum-based formulas with novel plant extracts sourced from agricultural waste. The water-based solution requires no harmful solvents and is activated by heat, allowing users to re-treat their own clothing, shoes, tents, and other gear at home. Boreo outperforms all tested commercial water repellents while maintaining breathability, preventing the clammy feeling associated with traditional rainwear. Its unique formulation works across fabrics of different polarities, including cotton and polyester, and requires less material to achieve superior water repellency.
Target Audience
Primary customers are outdoor enthusiasts, families with children, and consumers seeking eco-friendly alternatives for waterproofing apparel, footwear, and gear, as well as manufacturers of workwear and outdoor equipment.
Features
- Superhydrophobic performance that exceeds all tested commercial water repellent products
- Plant-based ingredients derived from non-commercially available plant waste, supporting a circular economy
- Water-based formula with no harmful solvents, activated by heat instead of toxic chemicals
- Suitable for a wide range of materials including cotton, polyester, shoes, tents, ropes, and workwear
- Breathable coating that requires less material to achieve the same water repellency, preventing clamminess
- Simple at-home application process: wash, coat, dry, and wear