Our Flags Are Made with CiCLO® Technology. Here's What That Means.
I've been thinking about what happens to flags after events for a long time. After a flag waves for a day, a weekend, a season, it inevitably ends up in a landfill. And since most flags are made from petroleum-based polyester, that's where the story ends. Polyester doesn't break down. It sits in a landfill and can shed microplastics into soil and water for centuries.
That's why we are excited to be moving all of our Flags For Good flags to CiCLO® technology. Not as a marketing move, but because we're always looking to do more "For Good." In donating a part of every flag, in choosing only to make flags that move the world forward, and now with the core fabric of the flags themselves.
What is CiCLO® technology?
CiCLO® is a patented fiber ingredient developed by Intrinsic Advanced Materials. It's blended into polyester at the fiber level during manufacturing, at 2% masterbatch during melt extrusion. It is not a coating. It cannot wash off or wear away. The fiber matrix itself is permanently changed.
When a CiCLO-enabled flag reaches end of life in a landfill, waterway, or soil, naturally occurring microorganisms recognize the fiber as a carbon food source. Moisture activates the process. The fiber breaks down through enzymatic action, from large molecules to smaller ones, until microbes fully digest them. The result is natural mineralization. No microplastics left behind.
Independent third-party testing by Intertek and Bureau Veritas confirms 91% biodegradation in soil over 3.2 years, compared to 3% for conventional polyester over the same period. CiCLO® polyester biodegrades at a rate comparable to wool.
Will my flag fall apart on the flagpole?
This is the first question everyone asks. The answer is no.
Biodegradation only activates under specific conditions: moisture, microorganisms, and time in a natural environment. Normal use, sun, wind, rain, washing, doesn't trigger it. Your flag flies normally through its entire life. The difference only shows up when it reaches end of life in a landfill, waterway, or soil.
Wool is also biodegradable. You can still wear a wool sweater in the rain.
What does "certified" mean?
Flags For Good is a certified CiCLO® partner. Every batch of CiCLO-enabled flags comes with a Certificate of Authenticity confirming the presence and dosage of CiCLO tracers in the fiber. The supply chain is traceable from manufacturer through finished product.
CiCLO® technology is also OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified and REACH compliant. Independent toxicity testing confirmed no harmful effect on marine life or terrestrial plants. Full technical data is at www.ciclotechnology.com.
The proof: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
We first rolled our CiCLO at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when we became the Official Flags of the Indy 500 in 2026. Thousands of flags at the largest single-day sporting event on earth, all not part of the microplastics problem any longer. As they fly at the IMS, they look as beautiful as any other, color fastness, durability, etc. But at end of life, they break down naturally instead of contributing to permanent microplastic pollution in Indianapolis landfills.
That's not a pilot. That's proof of scale.
Frequently asked questions
Are CiCLO® flags as durable as regular flags?
Yes. CiCLO-enabled flags perform like conventional polyester through printing, cutting, assembly, and use. The technology is compatible with sublimation printing, the standard method for flag production, and doesn't change how a flag looks, feels, or holds up in the field.
How is this different from recycled polyester?
Recycled polyester (rPET) addresses where the fiber comes from; post-consumer materials instead of virgin petroleum. That's a good thing. But it doesn't change how the fiber behaves at end of life. A recycled polyester flag still sheds microplastics and persists indefinitely once discarded. CiCLO® technology addresses end of life. That's the piece most eco-claims skip entirely.
Is this the same technology used by other brands?
Yes. CiCLO® is used by McDonald's in crew uniforms, by Target across several product lines, by Oakley, Champion, and Nordstrom. It's an established, commercially proven technology. We brought it to flags at event scale, with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as our proof point.
How do I order CiCLO® flags for my event, buildinng or venue?
We work directly with event organizers, venues, and procurement teams to make flags part of their sustainability story. Contact us to talk through your needs, quantities, and timelines.
