Adidas aims to end plastic waste through innovation

Primeblue, a performance fabric which contains Parley Ocean Plastic, is now included in some of the brand’s most iconic and visible performance products like Ultraboost 20 and in the uniforms of some of the biggest leagues and teams in the world.

Primegreen, a performance fabric which contains no virgin plastic, will be available later this year and will also be featured in key competitive products. Both performance fabrics will play a significant role in Adidas reaching more than 50 per cent total volume of recycled polyester at the end of 2020 and its commitment to end plastic waste.

Since 2012, Adidas has innovated new products and processes with sustainability focused partners like Parley for the Oceans, Stella McCartney and the US International Space Station. After introducing a single shoe at the United Nations in 2015, the long-term eco-innovation partnership with Parley for the Oceans will lead to more than 15 million pairs of shoes being produced with Parley Ocean Plastic.

“We’re not just focused on changing how we do business; we’re dedicated to changing how our industry does business,” said James Carnes, VP brand strategy, Adidas.

Adidas’ commitment comes to life through a Three Loop Strategy, which focuses on the brand’s efforts on creating three categories of sustainable products.

Recycled Loop, first category of sustainable products, will be made from recycled materials, supported by the introduction of Primeblue and Primegreen performance fabrics.  

The Circular Loop products will be made to be remade – products whose lifecycles will continue after each use, like the Futurecraft Loop running shoe.

The Bionic Loop products will be made with nature – Adidas’ ambition to create future where every Adidas product can have multiple lives and then return to nature.

In the next decade the brand is committed to do even more to end plastic waste. In 2020, more than 50 per cent of all the polyester Adidas uses in products will be recycled. By 2021, Adidas will work with Adidas’ key US sports partners (MLS, NHL, USA Volleyball and the Power 5 NCAA football programmes) to transition to more sustainable uniforms.

By 2024, Adidas will use only recycled polyester in all Adidas products across the business – aided by the introduction of Primeblue and Primegreen performance fabrics where 100 per cent of the polyester used is recycled.

By 2030, Adidas will reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 30 per cent (as compared to 2017) as part of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

By 2050, the company plans to achieve climate neutrality. In Germany, the company already sources almost all its electricity from renewable sources.

"We believe that through sport we have the power to change lives, and we are dedicated to creating that change. Since 1998, we’ve been developing and introducing innovations to end plastic waste. Our commitment to eliminate the use of virgin polyester in our products by 2024 helps us get one step closer to being a more circular company,” said Carnes.

Adidas’ products and processes will be a part of a new circular business model that includes extending the life of a product through rental, repair or re-commerce, being remade into new products and then ultimately returning to nature. Using materials that can be recycled multiple times, developed from natural resources or made from cells and proteins in a lab.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (PC)