Come 2021, over 60% products of adidas will have sustainable material for the first time

“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…

– Kasper Rorsted, CEO, adidas

In this new year, your brand new adidas jersey holds a surprise!

It will have more sustainable material in it than ever before. Consider it a new year gift or plain ‘sustainable’ sense on the part of adidas, in 2021, for the first time ever in its history, more than 60% of the brand’s products will be made using sustainable products that will include recycled polyester and sustainable cotton.

This will take adidas another one more step closer to end plastic waste. By 2024 specifically, adidas plans to shift using only recycled polyester.

Kasper Rorsted – CEO, adidas says: “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, we have worked with our suppliers to create the structures that make it possible to process recycled materials on a large scale. We believe that not only does our commitment make adidas more sustainable, but it also drives the development of the whole industry.”

In cooperation with partners, adidas is developing plant-based leather, recycled cotton as well as a particularly climate-friendly running shoe.

In partnership with the company’s suppliers, adidas aims to achieve global climate neutrality by 2050 and in its entire supply chain. Company-owned photovoltaic systems with a current installed capacity of 1.4 megawatts generate green electricity. adidas has reduced its overall carbon footprint at its company sites by more than 50 percent compared to 2015.

Protecting Oceans

In 2015, adidas and Parley for the Oceans together presented the first shoe made with Parley Ocean Plastic at the United Nations in New York. In 2020 alone, within the framework of this partnership, adidas and Parley have collected almost 7,000 tonnes of plastic waste – corresponding to around 350 million plastic bottles.

In 2021, adidas aims to produce 17 million pairs of shoes with recycled plastic waste collected from the beaches and coastal regions as compared to over 15 million in 2020. Further, adidas is continuously expanding its vegan product offer while completely renouncing the use of fur.

Advantage Over 60

The ‘Primeblue’ and ‘Primegreen’ labels mark products made with recycled materials. While offering full functionality and durability in sports, they avoid waste and preserve natural resources.

It is defined as foresight when adidas designers consider the later reusability of their product in its development. One example is The Ultraboost DNA Loop, which was raffled off to interested consumers in October 2020 for the first time. It is made from one single material from sole to laces and is welded without glue. Once the shoe reaches the end of its life cycle, it can be shredded to pieces and reused. In the spring of 2021, adidas will launch the successor in a larger volume.

In a research cooperation with a Finnish start-up, Infinite Fiber, adidas and additional partners are developing a process to transform used clothes into a cotton-like material.

adidas is working closely together 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 an intact environment.

Since last year, adidas has committed to the ‘Science-based Targets’, allowing independent external partners to evaluate the climate goals of the company.