It’s what’s inside that counts. Italian “ingredient brand” Thermore was founded in 1972 in Milan, and brings over five decades of expertise in thermal insulation for apparel, specializing in lightweight, high-tech padding that offers outsized impacts for jackets and outdoor gear.
Thermore was one of the first companies in the 1980s to launch insulation made from recycled PET bottles, and today, a significant portion of its product lines (like Ecodown and EVOdown) now use 100% recycled fibers, addressing both performance and environmental concerns.
The family-owned global company partners with over 150 clients worldwide across fashion, sportswear and outdoor markets, including North American brands like Nike, Obermeyer, Brooks Brothers, American Eagle, Tecovas, Vuori and Duluth Trading Company, just to name a few. Here, Patrizio Siniscalchi, Thermore’s managing director, tells Hertzman Global Intelligence how the company continues to innovate.
HGI: How does Thermore define its core market positioning?
Patrizio Siniscalchi: Innovation remains central to our DNA, with continuous investment in research and development to advance performance and sustainability. Responsible choices have guided our strategy for decades, positioning us among the pioneers of recycled synthetic insulation. Today, up to 98% of our insulation is made from recycled fibers derived from post-consumer PET bottles, combining responsible sourcing with high performance.
HGI: What is Thermore’s latest innovation?
PS: Our newest product is Ecodown Fibers Sync, engineered from dual-performance fibers (made entirely from 100% recycled polyester fibers derived from post-consumer PET bottles) that deliver ultra-lofty softness with a cloud-like handfeel. This is a more luxurious tactile experience compared with previous free fibers. Similar to down feathers, free fibers consist of millions of fine fibers that are packaged in bags and can be blown into the garment. The structure helps the insulation resist clumping, so it keeps volume and loft even after repeated washing. This is a major functional benefit for both performance and appearance. It is GRS (Global Recycled Standard), as well as bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, ensuring that the product is free from harmful substances and meets the highest criteria for environmental and human safety. Many of our products are certified this way.
HGI: Whereas other Thermore products use PET bottles, Thermore’s new Freedom collection, launched October 2025, includes reclaimed materials from electronic components. Is this a new frontier for recycling feedstock?
PS: In recent years, our product development has focused on progressively converting products originally made with virgin raw materials into solutions made with recycled polyester fibers, without compromising performance.
The use of recovered materials from discarded electronic components, such as plugs, connectors and cables, offers the opportunity to enhance new sources of waste. This approach reduces dependence on virgin raw materials and expands usage possibilities to different types of plastics, going beyond just PET. This represents a new opportunity and a stimulating challenge that drives us to a constant path of evolution. It currently represents a growing but still relatively small part of our overall portfolio. We expect this share to increase steadily as we continue investing in research and development.
HGI: Where are your products manufactured, and have tariff headwinds caused any rewiring of your supply chain or product development?
PS: Our manufacturing operations span Italy and the Far East, utilizing four high-tech facilities located across Italy, Thailand and Hong Kong. While tariff fluctuations have not directly affected our supply chain or product innovation, they are undoubtedly shaping the wider market landscape and impacting the strategic planning of our many partners and customers. We have not had to raise our prices.
HGI: Sustainability has become table stakes in insulation. Where is Thermore creating meaningful differentiation?
PS: We have a long-standing commitment to environmental protection. Over the last decade, we’ve taken a significant step forward by establishing a clear and mandatory internal rule: all new product development must exclusively feature recycled fibers and we are developing fibers with 100% recycled content. This goes beyond a commercial strategy; it is a fundamental ethical and industrial choice. We firmly believe this is the most responsible way to truly effect positive change.
HGI: What demand shifts are you seeing from apparel and outdoor brands, as well as consumers, now?
PS: Looking ahead, we are seeing a clear shift toward greater transparency, performance storytelling and direct consumer engagement. Social media and digital channels have reshaped communication dynamics: brands are more exposed, but also closer to their audiences. As a result, final consumers are no longer focused only on the finished product. They increasingly want to understand the components that drive quality, performance and durability, such as our thermal insulation.
HGI: How do you help partners channel that information?
PS: We are strengthening support to brand partners with clearer communication around materials while expanding our B2C communication strategy with targeted campaigns and educational content. We also work closely with brand partners to amplify this narrative through joint communication initiatives, co-branded content and storytelling assets, ensuring consistency while allowing each brand to tailor the message to its own audience and positioning.
