Adidas is introducing two new fabrics that use 100 percent recycled polyester, Primeblue and Primegreen, and announced several more commitments as part of its goal to use only recycled polyester for its shoes and clothing by 2024.

In a statement, Adidas noted that since 2012, it has innovated new products and processes with sustainability-focused partners like Parley for the Oceans, Stella McCartney and the U.S. 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 that will lead to more than 15 million pairs of shoes being produced with Parley Ocean Plastic.  This year, Adidas will amplify those efforts with the launch of Primeblue and Primegreen performance fabrics, two new sustainable fabrics.

Primeblue contains Parley Ocean Plastic and is already included in Ultraboost 20 and in the uniforms of some of the leagues and teams the brand sponsors. Primegreen, a fabric which contains no virgin plastic, will be available later this year. Both performance fabrics will play a significant role in Adidas reaching more than 50 percent total volume of recycled polyester at the end of 2020 and its commitment to end plastic waste.

Adidas said its sustainability commitments are guided by a Three Loop Strategy that focuses on creating three categories of sustainable products:

  • Recycled Loop – Made from recycled materials. Supported by the introduction of Primeblue and Primegreen performance fabrics.
  • Circular Loop – Made to be Remade. Products whose lifecycle continues after use like the Futurecraft Loop running shoe.
  • Bionic Loop – Made with Nature, Adidas’ mission to create a future where every Adidas product would have multiple lives and then return to nature.

Overall, Adidas’ sustainability goals over the next three decades include:

  • 2020: more than 50 percent of all the polyester Adidas uses in products will be recycled
  • 2021: Adidas will work with Adidas’ key U.S. sports partners (MLS, NHL, USA Volleyball and the Power 5 NCAA football programs) to transition to more sustainable uniforms.
  • 2024: Adidas will use only recycled polyester in Adidas products aided by the introduction of Primeblue and Primegreen performance fabrics.
  • 2030: Adidas will reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 30 percent (compared to 2017) as part of the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.
  • 2050: achieve climate neutrality. In Germany, the company sources almost all of 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 eliminating the use of virgin polyester in our products by 2024 helps us get one step closer to being a more circular company,” said James Carnes, VP brand strategy, Adidas.

Photo courtesy Adidas