Eco-Friendly Alternative to Neoprene - Yulex Nexkin

[deepblue]

I've been wanting to make a neoprene tail for awhile. Neoprene is produced two ways- oil-based, and limestone-based. While limestone-based is a little more eco-friendly (http://www.celticquestcoasteering.com/from-rocks-to-wetsuits-limestone-based-neoprene/) than oil-based (http://www.ehow.com/list_7471693_hazards-neoprene.html), limestone is not a renewable resource and it takes intensive mining to obtain. Since each neoprene production comes with its own set of environmentally unfriendly problems, I've been looking into an alternative which still has the basic feel and weight of neoprene. So far I've only been able to find this product by a company called Yulex, who makes wetsuits from a sustainable, renewable plant resource called guayule rubber, which they call Nexkin. Patagonia carries these wetsuits. I've contacted the company about how someone might order sheets of it and I'll let everyone know when/what they tell me. If it's a no, maybe if enough of us ask we can turn that around, but I'll let you all know here if/when I hear back. :) But I wanted to get this information out there about neoprene so people can make informed decisions.


This from a company who uses limestone based neoprene: Can neoprene be green or eco-friendly? (http://www.seventhwave.co.nz/wetsuits101/neoprene+info/Can+neoprene+be+green+or+eco-friendly.html)
Patagonia's page about the Nexkin wetsuits (http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=93864).
An article about them, to impress upon the reader how different this is than neoprene: Patagonia’s New Plant-Based Wetsuits And Goal To End Neoprene’s Use Across Surf (http://business.transworld.net/116138/features/jason-mccaffrey-on-patagonias-new-ecological-wetsuit-material/)
Another: Patagonia’s Plant-Based Neoprene Could Revolutionize Wetsuits (http://www.adventure-journal.com/2012/12/patagonias-plant-based-neoprene-could-revolutionize-wetsuits/)

[AniaR]

awesome digging! I think people are totally ignorant to how much toxic waste tail making produces, and the carbon as well.

[Miyu]

OH WOW you are awesome! I've been doing some digging around to try and find a greener Neoprene substitute, but all I had found so far was the limestone stuff :( Thank you so much for finding out about the plant-based Neoprene substitute!

I've been very concerned about the materials used to make fabric and neoprene tails, since both are pretty much are exclusively of plastics and other oil-based substances, it's been causing me some grief. I understand that most monofins are going to be made of plastic/oil rubber, and that's not great but it's okay because they're protected by a tail (unlikely to lose chunks in the environment), and they'll last longer than most of my fabric tails will. As for the fabrics, I've been trying to get them mostly through fabric remnants I find around the house and fabrics on clearance (where they're just gong to get thrown away in the end anyways).

Environmentalism is very important to me, and was a big facet in my becoming a mermaid, so I do tend to stress out and worry about the environmental impact of a lot of common mermaid gear :biting nails:

*takes a break to do some digging*

The Patagonia Yulex wetsuits seem to be made from a blend of guayule rubber and regular neoprene rubber, so that's something to consider. I wonder if it's possible to get just the plain, unadulterated Yulex sheets? If it has no fabric coating already attached, what would be an eco-friendly glue to attach it? What kind of fabric should be used? On the Patagonia website, it says: "2.5mm (torso/thighs) lined with hydrophobic micro-grid recycled polyester thermal lining. 2.5mm (arms/legs) lined with high-stretch recycled polyester jersey. Outer torso and shoulders treated with Nexkin windproof coating", and "Outer collar, arms and lower legs are lined with water-resistant recycled polyester; inside lined with high-stretch recycled polyester". Plus the seams are glued and taped, and everything's stitched with polyester thread (I'm assuming it's polyester, because that's what one should use to sew this wetsuit, from the other materials listed).

Gah this eco-friendly thing is frustrating!!! :gah::headwall: Someday, I swear, I'll actually have a 100% eco-friendly, allergy-friendly, swimmable mermaid tail :/ For now I'll just soothe my stressing brain by telling myself that I'm doing my best by saving all those scraps of fabric from a landfill... :sad eyes:

[deepblue]

My question to the Yulex company (now I wish I'd copy/pasted it here) was basically if the Nexkin itself could be ordered in sheets or rolls, and I told them if it is, I want to pass the information on to the larger-than-they'd-think professional and cosplay mer community, as so many want to make their own swimmable tails and are environmentally minded. So if it is available to consumers to order as a product itself, we won't have to use regular neoprene at all.

[deepblue]

awesome digging! I think people are totally ignorant to how much toxic waste tail making produces, and the carbon as well.

I also notice how many mers don't seem to care much about where they get shells, how they were harvested, or what the status of the animals who were in those shells is- some are threatened or outright endangered. While professing love for the ocean and wanting to help. It just takes a little research, I really wish more would just look into it and make more informed decisions.

[Miyu]

I totally agree, SurlySeaNymph! It's a long, frustrating process trying to be a very eco-friendly mer! Hmm, perhaps we should start a new thread for all the environmental concerns chatter, because I'd love to have a place to chat what shells not to be using, potentially hazardous materials, and other info/griping for the especially Eco-conscious mers among us...

[deepblue]

If you start that, I'll participate. :D One reason I'm so broke is that even living on disability, I put my priorities and ethics first... so I eat food I don't feel so guilty about on a number of levels, which is more expensive, and go without new clothes. heh. But we have to live as we see fit for ourselves. That is what I see fit for me.

I think I'm going to end up in a hemp tail. lol

[Miyu]

I just started the thread :3 Please do feel free to chime in there with your thoughts! And aha ha, yeah, I feel ya on that hemp tail OMG :P

[deepblue]

Haven't heard back from Yulex, but I'm giving them time.

It might help if someone with a company name contacts them, since the form asks for that. In case anyone else wants to ask them about availability of rolls or sheets, you can go here: http://www.yulex.com/contact/contact-form/

[Miyu]

Hmm, I have a contact that is a business-person in the plastics business... Who is taking a look at my monofin tomorrow (he's never seen one out of a tail before) to start making more monofins (my mertender needs one, I'll always take a spare/different shape, he can sell them custom-made). I'll see if he could shoot them an email.

We're asking mainly about just the plain Yulex foam sheeting/rolls used in the Nexkin suits, but without the added neoprene (unless it's made with recycled materials or something)? And rates as well, I presume? I'd contact them myself, but I'm not a licensed business yet (still at hobby level).

[deepblue]

I'd think that be the best thing to ask for- how to get it and avoid neoprene all together. I did not know about the neoprene component you'd mentioned when I contacted them. Somehow I missed it.