Pevalen™ Pro 100: Supporting longer‑lasting rainwear with lower impact
Perstorp operates early in the value chain, far from the finished products people use. Yet material choices made upstream shape how those products perform, how long they last, and how they affect the environment.
A collaboration with Farmerrain, a Swedish rainwear brand, focused on exactly that: how material selection influences comfort, durability, and long-term use. The ambition behind the garments is simple: reliable protection in real weather, maintained over many years of wear.
Built for long ownership
Farmerrain designs avoid short fashion cycles. The intent centers on garments people keep and rely on over decades. “With proper care, our rainwear can last at least 30 years,” says co-founder Jonas Carlsson.
That target shifts the focus from initial performance to performance over time. Materials need to remain flexible and comfortable after prolonged exposure to moisture, low temperatures, and repeated use.
Early discussions returned repeatedly to one practical point: garments that feel good get worn. Without that, durability alone holds little value. Plasticizers in coated fabrics strongly influence how rainwear behaves in daily use. Small formulation differences show clearly in touch, flexibility, and weight.
Testing with Pevalen™ Pro 100 highlighted several tangible effects:
- Softer fabric, enabling lighter constructions without compromising durability
- Retained softness at low temperatures (critical for Nordic conditions)
- Improved drapability, enabling the material the ability to hang and flow smoothly and comfortably
Each of these points feeds directly into how often a garment gets used and how long it remains part of someone’s wardrobe.
Designing with end-of-life in mind
A 30-year service life changes the perspective on material choices. A jacket produced today may not reach end-of-life until the 2050s. What happens then depends on decisions made now.
Using a completely non-phthalate plasticizer increases the likelihood that future recycling or recovery systems can process the material effectively. That creates a link between today’s product design and tomorrow’s circular options.
Focus on improvement over comparison
“We focus on improving our own operations rather than comparing ourselves to others,” says Carola Carlsson.
That approach aligns with Perstorp’s role. Work at the material level rarely attracts attention, but it influences how products perform over time and how efficiently resources get used. Plasticizers remain invisible to the end user, yet they shape how a raincoat feels, ages, and performs. Attention to those details supports a simple outcome: products that people continue to use year after year.
