WATER REPELLENT
WITH FLUORIDE? NO, THANKS.
THE INVISIBLE THREAT
WHY VESICA PISCIS SAYS NO TO FLUORINATED WATER-REPELLENT FINISHES
Fluorine is a natural element found in minerals like fluorite, but when transformed in the lab to create PFAS (such as C8 and C6), it becomes an environmental problem.
These compounds are used to make water- and grease-repellent fabrics and products, thanks to their carbon-fluorine bonds, which are so strong that they are virtually indestructible.
C8, banned in many countries for its high toxicity, and its substitute C6, which also persists for decades, accumulate in water, soil, and living beings, impacting ecosystems and planetary health.
That’s why they are called “forever chemicals”: once released, they remain for centuries.
THE ETHICAL QUESTION
WE ASKED OURSELVES: IS IT RIGHT TO USE THIS TECHNOLOGY KNOWING THE DAMAGE IT CAUSES?
- Persistence and Bioaccumulation: Detected even in remote areas, these chemicals accumulate in the food chain.
- Water and Ecosystem Contamination: During production and washing, they reach rivers and aquifers, affecting fish, birds, and other animals, disrupting reproduction and health.
- Human Health Effects: Prolonged exposure is linked to hormonal issues, thyroid dysfunction, reduced fertility, and higher cancer risks.
The coherent answer was, obviously: NO.
FROM CONVENIENCE TO RESPONSIBILITY.
Fluor made fabrics waterproof, but it also turned convenience into an invisible risk.
Today, every drop repelled by these finishes leaves a lasting mark on the water we all share.
True innovation is not about dominating nature, but about learning to coexist with it.
A COHERENT ALTERNATIVE
CHOOSING RESPONSIBILITY OVER MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE.
The easiest path would have been to offer the popular fluorinated water repellent — highly demanded in the rainiest regions of Europe. But at Vesica Piscis, we chose to stay true to our values.
After an extensive search, we found in ZELAN™ R3 a fluorine-free, vegan, and partially plant-based water-repellent finish that perfectly matched what we were looking for.
- Does not release persistent chemicals into the environment.
- Maintains the breathability of the footwear, preventing any feeling of dampness.
- Compatible with multiple fibers — from cottons to synthetic blends — while preserving softness and flexibility.
- Meets bluesign® sustainability standards, is GOTS-compatible, and is listed on the ZDHC Gateway, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint.
We know it’s not the most powerful option on the market — but it is the most consistent one.
Because for Vesica Piscis, true quality isn’t measured only by what a product can do for you, but by what it doesn’t do to nature.
OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
“TRUE WISDOM IS NOT MEASURED BY WHAT YOU KNOW, BUT BY WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU KNOW.”
We can no longer hide behind ignorance. We know that fluorinated compounds persist in the environment, accumulate in the food chain, and harm the health of the planet and those who inhabit it.
Understanding their impact compels us to act responsibly.
Is it really worth repelling water if the cost is an indelible footprint on the ecosystem?
Common sense should guide us toward materials that protect, not harm; toward technology in service of life, not against it.
