Germany's Adidas & Allbirds create shoe with low carbon footprint

With each pair having a carbon footprint of just 2.94 kg CO₂e and created with 63 per cent less emissions, Futurecraft.Footprint showcases a new approach to more sustainable design and an alternative method of manufacturing that drastically reduces carbon impact, the two companies said in a media release.

The newly developed upper material is made with 70 per cent recycled polyester and 30 per cent natural Tencel – a material made from wood pulp – for a smooth, lightweight upper that lives up to performance expectations with a highly reduced carbon impact.

“Our partnership with Allbirds is a beacon of what can happen when competing brands from the same industry see the possibilities in coming together to design. By truly co-creating and providing each other with open access to knowledge and resources – such as Allbirds’ knowledge of carbon calculation and experience with natural materials, and Adidas’ capabilities in manufacturing and performance footwear – this is a call-to-action for other brands, and a milestone in the sports industry achieving carbon neutrality,” said Brian Grevy, executive board member Global Brands at Adidas.

Embracing a lower-carbon development process, the teams collaborated digitally from development to delivery, working across multiple time zones on opposite sides of the world. Together, the Allbirds and Adidas counterparts across product design, material innovation, sustainability and supply chain studied every component and all aspects of the process with an analytical methodology. In under 12 months, they reimagined materials, manufacturing techniques and even packaging to reach the lowest possible footprint – whilst chasing the vision for a low-carbon shoe without compromising on performance.

Tim Brown, co-founder & co-CEO at Allbirds, said: “We believe that the challenge of solving climate change is the problem of our generation and solving it will not be done alone. We need to find new business models, new innovations and new ways of working together. Our partnership with adidas is an example of that. Over the past year, our two teams have raced as one to create a shoe as close to zero carbon emissions as we could possibly achieve. The results are an exciting step forward, and hopefully, an example for others to follow.”

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KD)