1. What is SEAQUAL YARN?
SEAQUAL YARN is an innovative yarn made from recycled PET bottles: it consists of 10% marine plastic and 90% plastic bottles from land-based sources. medi sources the yarn from the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE, a community based in Spain that is committed to cleaning the oceans and recycling plastic. This is an important step, as the SEAQUAL INITIATIVE supports a better global circular economy. In this way, existing PET is recycled instead of producing new polyester through resource-intensive processes.
2. In which medi products is the yarn made from recycled PET used?
SEAQUAL YARN is currently used in the knitted medi back braces of the comfort line: Lumbamed basic, Lumbamed plus, Lumbamed facet, Lumbamed disc, Lumbamed sacro, and Lumbamed pro. The knitted fabrics contain 12% recycled yarn—this corresponds to an average of one 1-liter PET bottle per brace. With this decision, medi is contributing to a more responsible use of resources.
3. Why does the knitted fabric consist of 12% recycled yarn?
The knitted fabric of the lumbar braces consists of different material components to ensure their product properties and effectiveness. The selected material composition of the knitted fabric has proven successful which is why medi continues to rely on it. Therefore, the entire polyester content of 12% has been replaced with the innovative SEAQUAL YARN. Together with a polyamide content, the polyester supports moisture absorption and moisture transport within the knitted fabric (Clima Comfort)—for a comfortable wearing experience.
4. Does the polyester yarn made from PET bottles make a difference?
No. When materials or yarn suppliers change, medi’s Research and Development department carries out various comparative tests to ensure that no changes to the product or deviations in quality occur as a result. These tests showed that neither the product properties nor the product effectiveness change with the new polyester yarn. All medical requirements continue to be met, and handling, wearing comfort, and washability remain the same.
5. How is it ensured that the yarn made from recycled plastic bottles is free of harmful substances?
The yarn has been tested at medi in various ways, for example through cytotoxicity testing for textiles (chemical and physical testing), to ensure the safety and quality of the products. SEAQUAL YARN is also certified according to the internationally leading Global Recycled Standard (GRS). This certification ensures that strict requirements regarding recycled content, environmental practices, and social responsibility are met. In addition, the recycled yarn—like the Lumbamed braces themselves—carries the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This standard guarantees through laboratory testing that the material is free from harmful substances and safe for human use.
