Adidas, one of world’s largest sportswear manufacturer, has announced that more than 60 percent of its products will be made from sustainable materials in 2021. As per a press statement, Adidas said that for the company, “sustainability means using less plastic and less animal material”. On the same lines, the company has stated that it is continuously expanding its range of vegan products and has completely renounced the use of fur. For 2021, in cooperation with partners, Adidas is developing a plant-based leather, recycled cotton as well as a particularly climate-friendly running shoe.
In 2020, the German headquartered MNC had launched vegan versions of several classics such as the Stan Smith, which quickly became one of the bestsellers. This year, together with partners, Adidas is developing a new material, a purely biological leather alternative made from mycelium (fungal threads), and will use it for the very first time in the creation of footwear. In addition, Adidas has committed to ‘Vier Pfoten’, an animal protection organisation, to completely ban furs from the manufacturing of its products.
Adidas said that in the coming year, it will use more than 60 percent recycled polyester in its products. From 2024 onwards, the company is committed to using only recycled polyester. Besides this, it also aims to produce 17 million pairs of shoes with recycled plastic waste collected from beaches and coastal regions, after more than 15 million in 2020. In partnership with the company’s suppliers, Adidas aims to achieve global climate neutrality by 2050 in its entire supply chain.
“Sustainability is an integral part of the adidas business philosophy. We have continued to invest in sustainability initiatives during the coronavirus pandemic and we will significantly expand our range of sustainable products in 2021. To this end, for example, we have worked with our suppliers to create the structures that make it possible to process recycled materials on a large scale. Not only does our commitment make adidas more sustainable, but it also drives the development of the whole industry,” said Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted.
Adidas is working closely with its suppliers to implement climate and environmental protection measures at the sites of partners in the supply chain. Various projects with suppliers aim to reduce carbon emissions and water consumption as well as preserve the environment.
