66°NORTH is the first Icelandic company to design and sell clothes made from CoconaTM

Recently, 66°NORTH started selling clothes made from a fabric named CoconaTM. The fabric is made from the activated carbon of recycled coconut shells. The carbon from the coconut shell is woven into the fibre which increases the performance of the fabric. CoconaTM is environmentally friendly and the coconut carbon replenishes itself when washed. The fabric was given the prestigious Invention of the Year Award in 2005 by Time Magazine.

The CoconaTM fabric excels over other similar fabrics in three fields:

1. Breathing and cooling: the coconut carbon woven into the fibre increases the ability of the fabric to draw moisture from the skin. The carbon particles are irregularly shaped so the moisture accumulates in small hollows on the carbon’s surface, which then unloads the moisture by evaporation. This process means the wearer stays dry, and the process also has a cooling effect.

• Tests have been conducted in which the characteristics of CoconaTM and other fabrics were compared. These revealed that using CoconaTM increased moisture absorption by 50%, compared to ordinary Polyester, and was 45% better than the fabric that until now has been considered best in the world.

2. Protection against UV rays: The coconut shell carbon woven into the fibre increases the fabric’s performance in protecting the wearer from ultraviolet rays by absorbing the rays rather than letting them reflect onto the skin. CoconaTM is then able to protect the skin from damage caused by the sun’s rays.

• The fabric’s ability to protect the wearer against UV rays is increased fourfold by weaving the coconut shell carbon into the fabric.

3. Minimises body odour: Since the surface of the coconut carbon is uneven, then it also absorbs various odour molecules into the small hollows, and minimises bad smells. The fabric retains them there until the carbon replenishes itself when washed.

66°NORTH is proud to be able to offer clothing made of this fantastic material. The clothing line has been named Grettir, who was one of the best known heroic champions of Iceland. This makes it the perfect name for clothing designed for active people.

For further information contact:
Helga Vidarsdottir - 66°North's Vice President of Marketing
E-mail: helga@66north.is
Tel. +354 535 6600

About 66°NORTH

66°NORTH Ltd. is one of Iceland’s oldest manufacturing companies. It was established in the year 1926, it's been a longtime leading innovator in the creation of specialised clothing for use in the toughest conditions on land and sea. 66°NORTH Ltd also prides itself on being an expert in the production of supreme quality clothing for sports and leisure. Not only does 66°NORTH have happy customers, but an impressive list of awards for its designs and marketing campaigns.

Today, the company employs a team of over 300 people. It has 9 stores in Iceland under the names of 66°NORTH and Iceland Gift Store, as well as a store in Latvia and two stores in Lithuania. Furthermore the 66°NORTH apparel is sold in retail stores across Europe and North America.

For further information about 66°NORTH visit our international website, www.66north.com.