The detrimental impact that leather manufacturing and tanning has on the environment is widely proven. Since then, numerous brands have revolutionised the fashion industry with their sustainable material developments.

Sustainability has been an emerging trend in the footwear industry for several years, with Adidas and sneaker upstarts like Allbirds leading the way. Multiple collaborations and efforts have been put into developing processes and technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of producing shoes.

Companies like Everlane and Nike have also begun manufacturing their own more sustainable footwear. The belief is that greener footwear is likely to make a more significant impression on customers than any other type of apparel. And they are quite right, isn’t it?

This article will talk about how Adidas, the world’s second-largest activewear brand, is actively going green. We’ll venture into Adidas’ plant-based vegan leather shoe. And will also give you insights into the company’s future goals. Plus why they think that sustainability will be the most significant factor that needs to be addressed going forward.

Adidas’ Vegan Leather Shoes 

Adidas recently unveiled the Mylo Stan Smith, a vegan version of its iconic Stan Smith sneakers made with mushroom-based leather. These vegan shoes were made in partnership with Bolt Threads, which supplied Mylo- vegan leather made from mycelium, the fast-growing root systems of mushrooms.

Mylo as a material is renewable, environmentally friendly, and performs exactly like traditional leather but without animal cruelty. The outer upper, perforated stripes, heel tab overlay, and premium branding are all made with Mylo. And the midsole of the shoe is made with natural rubber.

This new material is one of the many sustainability initiatives taken up by Adidas in an attempt to end plastic waste.

According to reports, in 2020, the company produced 15 million pairs of shoes made from recycled plastic waste. And said its goal is to create 17 million pairs next year.

To further strengthen its position of being an environmental- friendly shoe manufacturer, the company has committed to banning fur from its future products.

It has committed to using more than 60% recycled materials across its product range in 2021 And then exclusively recycled materials by 2024. 

These initiatives are all part of a broader commitment to reach climate neutrality by the year 2050.

Additionally, the sportswear manufacturer has released shoes in collaboration with Parley for the Oceans. In 2019, Adidas launched the Terrex Two Parley, made with Parley’s recycled ocean plastic yarn. This was to help spread awareness and transform ocean plastic pollution into high-performance sportswear.

Vegan Products Contribute To Animal Welfare

Various businesses are adopting initiatives that promote sustainability and vegan material. Adidas, in particular, has taken up sustainable practices in an attempt to reduce its plastic and animal-based consumption. The launch of the Mylo Adidas Stan Smith in 2020, which became an instant bestseller, is only the start of a string of such developments.

Along with other manufacturers and technology partners, Adidas is developing a new material, a purely natural leather alternative made from mycelium. The brand is planning to use it for the very first time in the creation of footwear.

Sustainable And Recycled Materials Adidas Uses 

Adidas has integrated the use of sustainable materials into the manufacture of its production line. The most commonly used environmentally friendly materials are that of ‘better cotton’, recycled polyester, recycled nylon, recycled rubber, algae-based EVA, TENCEL, water-based polyurethane (PU), and recycled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Several recycled materials such as inlay soles, textiles, metals, plastics, packaging, and rubber are externally sourced. These recycling companies recycle plastic waste back and make it ready to be cast into shoes. Additionally, these companies have been able to increase the percentage of rubber and EVA that can be reground and reused in shoes.

Further, Adidas doesn’t source or process raw materials from any endangered or threatened species, as defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in its red list. 

Looking For Leather Sampling Services?

It’s not only Adidas that has integrated sustainable materials like mushroom leather and environmentally friendly practices into their workflow. A growing number of brands are now using other environmentally-friendly vegan leather alternatives. Iconic fashion brands, including Karl Lagerfeld, H&M, and Fossil, recently launched collections made with Desserto—leather made from cactus leaves.

Shifting towards the purchase of sustainable leather is an excellent way to way care for the environment while indulging in fashionable trends. Turning waste materials into usable everyday products like shoes was something that could only be dreamt of in the past. However, with technological developments, it’s now becoming a reality.

We, at CreateLab, also offer our vegan leather production services in the UK for your sustainable leather products. With years of expertise in the leather industry, we’re pioneers in crafting innovative premium designs out of vegan leather. Our years of experience in the leather industry help us find the sweet balance between functionality and style.