Outdoor Industry Leaders Launch Open-Source Tool to Decarbonize Textile Mills

Cotopaxi, L.L.Bean, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, W.L. Gore & Associates, Global Efficiency Intelligence, and OIA Collaborate to Drive Industry-Wide Emissions Reductions 

BOULDER, CO [Wednesday, January 29, 2025] — Cotopaxi, L.L. Bean, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, W.L. Gore & Associates, Global Efficiency Intelligence, and Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) proudly introduce the Textile Heating Electrification Tool, an innovative open-source resource designed to help textile mills reduce emissions by transitioning to efficient, electrified heating technologies. Developed as part of OIA’s Clean Heat Impact CoLab, this initiative underscores the outdoor industry’s commitment to decarbonizing the textile industry and driving progress toward bold climate goals. 

The Textile Heating Electrification Tool equips decision-makers with essential data and insights to replace fossil fuel-based heating systems with electric solutions. This innovation addresses the pressing need for decarbonization in the textile and apparel industry, which accounts for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and faces growing demand due to population increases and consumer trends. 

Key features of the Textile Heating Electrification Tool include:  

  • Data management system 
  • Modeling and simulation module 
  • Implementation checklist 
  • Manufacturer and supplier finder 

The Clean Heat CoLab builds on the findings of the 2023 Electrification of Heating in the Textile Industry study, which highlighted the potential for electric heating technologies to reduce emissions and costs for textile mills. Extending those insights, the CoLab transformed research into actionable solutions. Through beta testing with nominated facilities, the tool was refined to meet the needs of textile manufacturers worldwide. 

“At REI, we believe advancing climate solutions requires broad cooperation. While we have an ambitious goal to halve our emissions by 2030, we can’t meet it without the help of our brand and manufacturing partners,” said Andrew Dempsey, Director of Climate at REI. “Electric heat technologies are a crucial component to decarbonizing textile manufacturing. This tool provides REI and our value chain partners valuable information and analysis to accelerate decision-making about decarbonization investments.” 

Developed under OIA’s Clean Heat CoLab, the tool reflects a collaborative, pre-competitive approach to solving complex climate challenges. OIA Impact CoLabs accelerate industry progress by enabling brands and suppliers to work together, meeting company sustainability goals more efficiently and cost-effectively. Learn more about Impact CoLabs here. 

“Since 2021, Patagonia has partnered with Outdoor Industry Association, through its Clean Heat CoLab, on providing the industry with solutions to decarbonize heating emissions from textile mills,” said Kim Drenner, Head of Environmental Impact at Patagonia. “Over the years, this work has brought together several brands and suppliers funding research and now the development of a tool that supports suppliers in identifying electrified technology to replace fossil fuel-based heat systems in their facilities. This work would not be possible if it wasn’t for the collaborative environment that OIA fosters.” 

The tool is now freely available here. To ensure widespread adoption, Global Efficiency Intelligence will create comprehensive training materials, including user guides, tutorial videos, and FAQs, in five languages. Additionally, online training workshops will give suppliers an opportunity to interact with the tool and ask questions. Register here for the upcoming information session on February 13. 

“A tool that shortens the discovery and due diligence process for implementing electric manufacturing equipment can significantly accelerate decarbonization in the textile supply chain. We are really pleased with the outcome of this collaboration with leading outdoor industry brands,” said Markus Wieser, Climate Team Leader at W.L. Gore & Associates. 

“We’re proud to have led the development of the Textile Heating Electrification Tool to help textile and apparel companies decarbonize their operations and supply chain. By providing clear, data-driven pathways to electrification, this tool offers a powerful blueprint for cutting carbon emissions at scale,” said Dr. Ali Hasanbeigi, CEO and Research Director at Global Efficiency Intelligence. 

“We are thrilled with the launch of the Textile Heating Electrification Tool, a vital step in our collective effort to decarbonize the textile industry. This tool combines expertise from across the outdoor industry to provide textile mills with actionable insights to transition to cleaner, more sustainable heating technologies,” said Julie Brown, Director of Sustainable Business Innovation at Outdoor Industry Association.  

About Outdoor Industry Association 

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org. 

Mountain House Teams Up with Darby Communications

January 29, 2025 — Albany, OR — Mountain House, a leading provider of freeze-dried meals for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness, announces its partnership with Darby Communications, a PR and digital marketing agency renowned for its expertise in the outdoor, endurance, and hunt/fish markets. Effective immediately, Darby Communications will serve as Mountain House’s agency of record, focusing on media relations and affiliate marketing services to drive brand authority and increase share of voice in the industry.

Mountain House is turning up the heat and cooking up greatness. Following a comprehensive brand redesign last spring, the heritage freeze-dried food brand has modernized its image and deepened its relevance in the outdoor industry with new product innovation and increased participation across outdoor audiences. Partnering with Darby Communications marks a pivotal next step in the brand’s evolution, leveraging the agency’s stellar outdoor and hunt/fish credentials to amplify Mountain House’s voice and strengthen its connection with outdoor enthusiasts. Through this partnership, Darby Communications will lead efforts to generate impactful media coverage, create compelling brand-driven narratives, and foster engagement through targeted affiliate marketing strategies.

“Darby Communications will be an important partner in helping us reach our marketing goals, which include the introduction of a beloved American entrée to the just-add-water ready-to-eat food category this spring,” said Sally Wilson, Interim Chief of Marketing for Mountain House. “Darby Communications is strategically aligned with our mission to grow and lead in this category in terms of taste, innovation, and nutrition, building upon last year’s rebrand and first-ever integrated marketing campaign.”

Since 1969, Mountain House has pioneered the commercial-scale freeze drying process, becoming the #1 trusted brand for outdoorspeople, backpackers, and preparedness-minded individuals seeking delicious, nutritious, and reliable meal options. From its iconic breakfast skillets to hearty dinner entrees, Mountain House prepares every meal in small batches before drying and packaging, which locks in texture, flavor, and nutrition and sets the gold standard for quality and flavor. Today, the brand continues to push the innovation of quick cook and portable meals in the outdoor industry, and is proudly made in the USA.

“With over 50 years of experience supplying freeze-dried meals to the military, feeding NASA’s space program, and supplying the first ascent of Annapurna, Mountain House is an iconic brand that is dedicated to innovation,” says Angie Robinson, President of Darby Communications. “We’re proud to be their partner during this exciting time to showcase the brand’s leadership. Together, we will amplify the brand’s story and inspire more people to fuel their adventures with Mountain House.”

For more information on Mountain House and upcoming product launches, visit www.mountainhouse.com or contact Katie Richter at katie@darbycommunications.com.

ABOUT MOUNTAIN HOUSE

Named after an Oregon restaurant on the slope of the Cascades that once welcomed outdoorspeople with warm meals after full days of adventure, Mountain House is the freeze-dried meal category leader. With its great taste, ease of use and reliability the brand has been helping backpackers, hikers, anglers and hunters stay out longer and go out further since 1969, offering comfort under any condition. Mountain House has a 56-year legacy proudly serving wholesome, delicious meals to the US military. All of its products are backed by a Taste Guarantee and a proven shelf life of 30 years. For more information and a complete list of products, visit www.mountainhouse.com.

 

 

 

 

Verde Brand Communications Takes the Wheel for Rossmönster Adventure Truck and Van PR Efforts

BOULDER, Colo. (January 29, 2025) — Verde Brand Communications, a leading agency specializing in outdoor and active lifestyle industries, has been appointed as the public relations agency of record for Rossmönster, effective immediately. Verde will work closely with Rossmönster to showcase their innovative approach to adventure truck and adventure van builds to help highlight the brand’s commitment to enabling unforgettable outdoor experiences.

Co-founded by Ross Williamson and Luke Farny, Rossmönster has honed their skills as custom van builders over the past nine years to become a prominent and sought-after name in the adventure vehicle market. The company’s truck and van conversions are designed to provide comfort, functionality, and durability for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore off the beaten path.

“At Rossmönster, we believe that the journey is just as important as the destination,” said Luke Farny, CEO of Rossmönster. “Our adventure vehicles are crafted to empower individuals to embrace the freedom of the open road while enjoying the comforts of home. We’re thrilled to partner with Verde Brand Communications to share our passion for adventure and craftsmanship with a wider audience.”

Rossmönster’s commitment to quality is evident in their meticulous attention to detail and use of premium materials in every build. From solar power systems to innovative storage solutions, each van is tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of its owner.

“The surge in interest for outdoor recreation and remote work has created a perfect storm for companies like Rossmönster,” said Julie Evans, CEO of Verde Brand Communications. “We’re excited to help tell the story of how Rossmönster is revolutionizing the way people experience the outdoors. Their dedication to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with Verde’s mission to promote brands that enhance people’s connection with nature and adventure.”

As more individuals seek ways to combine work, travel, and outdoor pursuits, Rossmönster’s vehicles offer a solution that bridges the gap between comfort and adventure. Verde Brand Communications will work to highlight Rossmönster’s unique position in the market and their contribution to the evolving landscape of outdoor recreation.

To learn more about Rossmönster’s storied history and a more detailed look at its line of adventure trucks and vans, please visit rossmonster.com.

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About Rossmönster
Rossmönster redefines the adventure lifestyle, crafting premium trucks and vans that fuel your passion for exploration and discovery. With groundbreaking designs and unmatched craftsmanship, Rossmönster creates vehicles that are more than just a mode of travel — they’re a gateway to the extraordinary. Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences, Rossmönster is shaping the future of adventure vehicles for those who dare to roam further and live boldly.

About Verde Brand Communications

Verde Brand Communications is a woman-founded, woman-led agency focused on brand communications and strategy, media relations, digital marketing and affiliate management. We specialize in serving the outdoor and active lifestyle industries as well as adjacent specialty markets. Our market-driven approach stems from a nimble, close-knit team of creative thinkers along with proven industry experience since Verde was founded in 2002. We have offices in Durango and Boulder, Colo., and Jackson, Wyo. For more information about Verde, please visit www.verdepr.com or follow our adventures on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Kevin Nicol-Lints | Kevin@verdepr.com

PHANTOM Glide Releases New Nordic Formula

SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 29, 2025) — PHANTOM Glide, the permanent, single-application base treatment for skis and snowboards, introduces a new Nordic formula that creates a permanent glide surface that performs across a wide range of snow conditions and can be enhanced with traditional wax for heightened performance in specific snow conditions. PHANTOM Glide Nordic creates an environmentally friendly foundation for all Nordic skis and provides a permanent hydrophobic coating that bonds to the base material preserving base health and improving glide in most conditions compared to traditional waxes.

“For the everyday Nordic skier and racer, PHANTOM Glide Nordic is an essential component to your ski preparation and maintenance. PHANTOM Nordic-treated bases stay healthy and retain glide performance in a broad array of conditions,” says Billy Demong, Head of Strategic Product Development at PHANTOM Glide. “For me the best part is that I don’t have to wax. PHANTOM protects the base from drying out or having the pores close. I wax when I want the best glide I can achieve for racing or for some extreme conditions, like really cold, dry snow. But if I don’t wax for an extended period I can rely on the great glide that PHANTOM Nordic provides.”

PHANTOM Glide and PHANTOM Glide Nordic are a permanent, wax-free treatment applied just once to the base of skis or snowboards. The treatment bonds deep into the base material and allows Nordic athletes to eliminate the time-consuming and intensive process of waxing except for when it is absolutely necessary. PHANTOM Glide provides increased glide for the lifetime of the ski or snowboard and possesses no environmental harm or harm to humans. For maximum efficacy, it is recommended that customers take their skis and snowboards to an authorized PHANTOM Glide dealer with a PHANTOM Glide “Magic Box” cure station.

“With PHANTOM Glide Nordic, I can save time and money on frequently waxing my skis and save the wax for race days knowing that I have an effective foundation for glide on my ski bases.” says Demong. “Simply put, PHANTOM Nordic has been a game-changer for my Nordic performance and ski prep.”

PHANTOM Glide Nordic is available in a bulk spray specifically designed for dealer application. For more info on PHANTOM Glide and PHANTOM Glide Nordic, as well as authorized dealers with Magic Box cure stations, please visit https://phantomglide.com. For media inquiries, please contact Account Manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us.

About PHANTOM Glide: 

Developed by scientists and engineers, and tested by elite athletes, PHANTOM Glide is the result of advanced material innovation, designed to enhance glide performance with a single application. Unlike traditional wax, PHANTOM Glide permanently integrates into the base of skis and snowboards, optimizing glide for the lifetime of the equipment. It delivers consistently fast and reliable performance across a wide range of snow conditions and temperatures. Additionally, PHANTOM Glide is formulated to remain stable and durable without breaking down over time. For more on PHANTOM Glide visit https://phantomglide.com.

Contact: Ryan Silven
ryan.silven@rygr.us

970-924-0704 ext. 2114

 

 

 

 

Revolutionizing Baking: Ooni Unveils the Ultimate Stand Mixer for Home Chefs

EDINBURGH, Scotland (Jan. 28, 2025) – Today, Ooni Pizza Ovens, the creator and leader of the home pizza oven market, is once again revolutionizing home cooking with the launch of the Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer.

Available for purchase in April 2025, the Halo Pro combines Ooni’s commitment to quality and innovative design to bring revolutionary spiral mixing technology to the home. The Halo Pro enables home chefs and bakers to create everything from restaurant-quality pizza dough to fresh sourdough loaves, big batches of chocolate chip cookies and birthday cakes for those special occasions.

What sets the Halo Pro apart is its revolutionary spiral mixing technology. Until now, spiral mixers have only been found in professional kitchens, bakeries and pizzerias. Home kitchen stand mixers have been dominated by brands with traditional planetary mixers, which are not optimal at mixing bread doughs. Professionals looking for higher quality dough have chosen spiral mixers instead, as the innovative engineering enables the hook and bowl to revolve simultaneously around a breaker bar, creating a dual-action kneading system. Crucially, this creates stronger gluten strands, and independent third party experts determined that the Halo Pro achieves better dough compared to a planetary at-home mixer.

“Ooni has always been about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible cooking at home,” said Kristian Tapaninaho, Founder and Co-CEO at Ooni. “We changed how people made pizza at home forever when we created the first Ooni pizza oven in 2012, and now we’re bringing that same innovative spirit and high standards to change the game with stand mixers in your kitchen.”

The Halo Pro blends incredible precision with huge capacity. An intuitive digital interface allows users to finely adjust between 58 different mixing speeds for unmatched control at a simple turn of a dial, and set a timer to automatically stop. The removable 7.3 quart bowl can handle up to 11 pounds of dough at a time – enough for 20 pizzas or six loaves of bread. In addition to a Spiral Dough Hook and patent-pending Removable Breaker Bar, the Halo Pro includes a Geared Whisk and a Flexible Beater to deliver the versatility that a home user desires for everything from whipping delicate meringues to mixing cake batters with ease.

Darina Garland, Co-Founder and Co-CEO added, “We have learned so much from our global Ooni Community of customers over the past 12 years. We know they care about making truly great dough, and we are so excited to share the Halo Pro with them. Our new mixer will really help everyone level up their dough and baking, and we can’t wait to see folks sharing their epic bakes and pizzas with their friends and family at home. That is the heart of what Ooni is all about.”

The Halo Pro’s modern, minimalist look seamlessly integrates into any kitchen décor, ensuring it is as visually appealing as it is functional. This combination of performance and design cements the Halo Pro as a must-have for bakers.

Beginning April 8, 2025, The Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer will be available for purchase in two colors – Polar White and Charcoal Grey – retailing at $799.00 at Ooni.com. Sign up now to be among the first notified when it’s available to buy: www.ooni.com/pages/explore-halo-pro-spiral-dough-mixer.

About Ooni

Founded by husband-and-wife team Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland in 2012, Ooni Pizza Ovens revolutionized the outdoor cooking landscape and created a new category when they launched the world’s first portable pizza oven. Known for bringing pizza ovens to backyards all over the world, Ooni is a trailblazing company that creates products to elevate the joy of being together.

Ooni’s ovens give users the ability to cook authentic, flame-cooked pizza in just 60 seconds, ready to start cooking in 25 minutes or less and heating up to 950 ˚F — twice the temperature of a home oven and the searing temperature you need for incredible Neapolitan-style pizza. Beyond pizza, Ooni’s ovens are capable of searing steaks to perfection, baking bread, roasting vegetables and so much more.

In addition to offering award-winning ovens, Ooni has a comprehensive range of must-have accessories and carefully curated ingredients for pizza cooks, all available on ooni.com.

There is only one planet to make pizza on, and Ooni believes they have a responsibility to protect and restore it. Ooni’s annual Impact Report gives a detailed summary of their key focus areas, the progress they’ve made, and lays out what’s to come.

In 2022 Ooni became a Certified B Corp™. After undertaking a rigorous assessment and verification process, Ooni has joined a community of like-minded companies and leaders using business as a force for good.

To explore the full Ooni Pizza Ovens product range, visit ooni.com.

Media Contact

Meg Herrington, Backbone Media

meg.herrington@backbone.media