FELDKIRCHEN-WESTERHAM (December 20, 2017) – Efforts by W. L. Gore & Associates Fabrics Division to improve its environmental footprint and to promote socially responsible operations across the value chain are the focus of the Gore Fabrics Responsibility Update 2017, released this week https://www.gore-tex.com/experience/responsibility. The update details how Gore Fabrics Division is using scientific research to drive environmentally improved material innovations that deliver uncompromised performance with a reduced environmental footprint of Gore Fabrics’ products. In addition, the report details Gore Fabrics’ ongoing efforts to promote healthy workplaces throughout its value chain, as well as its Associates’ involvement in several volunteering (social giveback) programs. “Sound science must be the foundation of an effective sustainability program. We want our stakeholders to understand what we do and where we are heading in terms of our environmental goals,” said Bernhard Kiehl, leader of the sustainability program at Gore Fabrics. “Our future depends on responsible innovation, but it also requires cooperation with our customers, our suppliers, the final users of our products and the communities where we work. This update intends to give our stakeholders a transparent view into our sustainability efforts during the last year.” Regarding environmental responsibility, the report covers Gore Fabrics’ journey towards setting public goals to eliminate PFCs of Environmental Concern from the life cycle of its consumer fabrics products, latest with shipment end of 2023. For some end-uses, Gore Fabrics will offer outdoor products with Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatments that are free of PFCs of Environmental Concern for the retail season Autumn/Winter 2018. In addition, the report covers Gore Fabrics’ work to achieve further certifications from credible third parties such as bluesign® systems and OEKO-TEX®, as well as its work as a founding member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), which works to transform the apparel and footwear industry towards more sustainable business practices across their complex supply chains. It also highlights recent efforts to increase its use of solution dyeing, which results in a substantial decrease of water use and carbon emissions, as well as its efforts to increase Gore’s offering of recycled face textiles, a process that employs recycled plastic bottles as the source of material to create yarns. Regarding social responsibility, the report details Gore Fabrics’ efforts to promote fair labor standards also in facilities operated by Gore business partners, using the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s HIGG Index as an assessment tool supporting its own Guidelines for Social Responsibility. It also highlights three volunteering efforts Gore Associates have initiated with support of the company, as well as a lighthouse project using Gore Fabrics products to reduce landfill pollution.   About Gore Fabrics Gore Fabrics Division revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to military operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. www.goretex.com About Gore W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Founded in 1958, Gore has built a reputation for solving complex technical challenges in the most demanding environments — from revolutionizing the outerwear industry with GORE-TEX fabric to creating medical devices that improve and save lives to enabling new levels of performance in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and mobile electronics markets, among other industries. The company is also known for its strong, team-oriented culture and continued recognition from the Great Place to Work® Institute. Headquartered in Newark, Del., Gore employs approximately 9,500 Associates and generates annual revenues that exceed $3 billion. www.gore.com  

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Farra D’Orazio W. L. Gore & Associates 295 Blue Ball Road Elkton, MD 21921 Telephone: + (410) 506-2872 Email: fdorazio@wlgore.com