Katadyn Micropur MP1 Sustainability Report

Longevity works differently for chemical treatments like the Katadyn Micropur MP1. Each chlorine dioxide tablet is individually sealed, protecting it from moisture and degradation, and unopened tablets carry a five-year shelf life from the date of manufacture. That makes Micropur an excellent long-term emergency or backup solution that can live in a pack for years without concern. As a set-it-and-forget-it safety net, it’s hard to beat.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

Because these are chlorine dioxide tablets, they are not evaluated for BPA-free chemistry.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic and found in food and beverage containers, including bottles, cans, and more. Studies have identified the substance as a hormone disruptor, linking it to adverse health effects on the immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems. The E.U. banned BPA from all materials that come into contact with food, while the U.S. prohibits its use in baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula packaging. Some items (such as camping cookware and water reservoirs) may still contain the chemical, though, since it isn’t entirely banned.

Because these are tablets, the Katadyn Micropur MP1 are not evaluated for replacement part offerings.

Providing replacement parts extends a product's lifespan and eliminates the need to purchase a new one. For example, some brands offer replacement lenses for ski goggles, should they become damaged, or provide an extra clip for a trekking pole if it breaks. We scale the points received for this category based on how robust the replacement part offerings are for the product category.

We were unable to confirm where Katadyn manufactures its products or whether it participates in a third-party responsible manufacturing accreditation program. To meet our responsible manufacturing criteria, we require brands to participate in a third-party program that provides certification and annual audits of factories to ensure safe working conditions, fair wages, and reduced environmental impact.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

We were unable to confirm whether Katadyn uses reduced or recycled packaging for its products.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

We were unable to confirm whether Katadyn or its parent company, Katadyn Group, tracks its greenhouse gas emissions. The brand has not published any goals to measure or reduce its emissions.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Neither Katadyn nor its parent company, Katadyn Group (which owns a portfolio of nine brands), publishes an annual impact report detailing their sustainability progress.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.