image: Lotta Lemetti
The cooperation between Joutsen and Untuvia utilizes the decades of down expertise of a traditional family business and the ecological innovation of an innovative startup.
In late winter 2023, in Lapland, Heikki Kärkkäinen accidentally damaged his down coat when a stove burned a hole in it. Since it wasn’t a Joutsen coat, repairing it wasn’t an option, and recycling it proved to be challenging. This experience inspired the creation of Untuvia.
The challenges of recycling valuable material
Down is an excellent thermal insulator and has a long lifespan. Typically, the fabric of a product may wear out before the downfilling, which can still be in good condition. However, currently, only one per cent of down is recycled for reuse.
Kärkkäinen set out together with Teemu Lemetti to find a solution to the challenges of recycling. Recycled down does not withstand the same thorough washing process like the Joutsen Down System. Unwashed, on the other hand, the quality of the down is poor. The recycled down contains fat separated from the human skin, which prevents the down from expanding and its ability to bind air.
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Cleaning Method
Untuvia was looking for a cleaning method that would restore the properties of the down and get as much of the valuable material as possible for reuse. Through their collaboration with VTT, Kärkkäinen and Lemetti discovered that supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) effectively attracts dirt and grease. This gentle cleaning process removes fats without using water or toxic chemicals, enabling Untuvia to produce the highest quality recycled down on the market through this innovative and environmentally friendly technique.
The method has undergone extensive testing by Kärkkäinen and Lemetti. The new company was in contact with Joutsene right from the beginning. In the down laboratory and refinery at the Riihimäki factory, scCO2-cleaned down has been flying under the critical, if not even supercritical, eyes of the operators of both companies. Kärkkäinen states, "Untuvia wouldn't be where it is now without the expertise provided by Joutsen and the opportunity to utilize the down refinery at the Riihimäki factory."
More down for reuse
At Joutsen, we are committed to replacing virgin materials with recycled materials whenever high-quality options are available. This is why we are excited about our cooperation with Untuvia. We share a common goal: to increase the amount of down collected for recycling and to ensure that a larger portion of this down is repurposed for future use.
Joutsen has been accepting used Joutsen down products for a long time and offered a recycling voucher that provides a 25% discount upon return. We repair coats that can be replenished for Second Life sales and deliver other products to Untuvia. Untuvia has collection boxes for down products in the capital area for convenient drop-off, regardless of the manufacturer.
Joutsen products are especially well-suited for recycling due to the high quality of the down. We encourage more customers to recycle their end-of-life products and support Untuvia's mission for a greener future.
