We are excited to announce that the circular nature of our production process will enable us to launch the world’s first truly circular yoga mat solution.
Yoga as a market is significantly larger than the wetsuit industry, according to Allied Market Research:
The yoga mat market size was valued at $13.3 billion in 2018, and is estimated to reach $23.2 billion by 2026. In 2018, the PVC segment accounted for more than one-third of the total yoga mat market share.
However, the disposal of PVC mats is terrible for the planet: there is no at scale recycling or circular brand solution for the material, and yet it is what most yoga mats are made from. Chemicals such as volatile oil compounds (VOCs) and poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are emitted as a breathable gas from PVC yoga mats, which makes them unsuitable for use in heat or sweat related practices such as yoga, pilates and working out.
From Greenpeace’s report on PVC:
“PVC is the most environmentally damaging plastic. The PVC lifecycle – its production, use, and disposal – results in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals. These toxins are building up in the water, air and food chain.”
Yoga brands are seeking alternatives, and we are working with Kati, the brand owner and designer of Kati Kaia PVC-free yoga mats.
Kati’s beautiful artwork mats are 100% natural tree rubber base with a vegan suede top printed with water-based ink. The suede top is made from PET recycled bottles and each mat is finished using just heat, which means that no toxic fillers are used, and there are zero chemicals from the recycling process.
Kati has been searching for a totally circular option for these mats. By offering recycled neoprene, Kati will have found the perfect circular solution that fits with her designs and her endeavour to reduce her company’s carbon footprint.
We agree with Kati that non-toxic materials and a green recycling process are essential. The neoprene is recycled via heat pressure and no chemicals, and all glue used is completely non-toxic, PVC-free, and is the standard in premium neoprene material lamination: it is considered the greenest approach to applying any kind of textile onto neoprene foam.
To this end, Circular Flow will be working with Kati to use her yoga expertise and design aesthetic to launch a range of recycled neoprene yoga mats that at the end of their life can be returned to be recycled again and again.
The aim is to have designs ready for preorder in November 2022 and to ship from February 2023, marking a major step forward in solving the recycling and circularity challenge for the yoga market, and educating customers into making better choices.
If your yoga brand is interested to collaborate with Circular Flow do get in touch. We wish to solve this global challenge, making this an open solution for all who wish to be involved.
Contact: contact@circularflow.net
