PUMA's RE:SUEDE pilot project: experimental biodegradable sneakers

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sportswear company PUMA announces the results of its two-year RE:SUEDE experiment, demonstrating that it can successfully convert a prototype version of its classic SUEDE sneaker into compost under specific industrial conditions.

In 2021, PUMA produced 500 pairs of experimental RE:SUEDE shoes using Zeology-tanned suede, a TPE outsole, and hemp fibers. For six months, volunteers in Germany tested the RE:SUEDE’s comfort and durability in everyday use before PUMA sent them to the specially equipped industrial composting facility operated by Ortessa Group, its partner in the Netherlands.

Before the shoes could be turned into compost, a special process was developed. First, the shoes had to be shredded, mixed with household green waste, and placed in a composting tunnel, where they were then watered with nutrient-rich leachate from previous composting batches and heated naturally through biological activity and controlled air circulation within the tunnel. After about three and a half months, the screened compost—with particles smaller than 10 mm—was sold for agricultural use (in accordance with Dutch guidelines) as a high-quality material. The residues were returned to the composting tunnel until they reached the desired size (<10 mm). All legal composting requirements applicable to the Ortessa Group and its Dutch facilities were met throughout the process.

«The standard industrial composting process was certainly inadequate, but in the end, the RE:SUEDE products did produce compost,» explains Anne-Laure Descours, director of sourcing at PUMA. «Together with our partners, we will continue our innovation efforts and identify the infrastructure and technologies that will help us develop the appropriate process for a commercial version of the RE:SUEDE in 2024, including a take-back program.»

Transparency is another key pillar of the RE:SUEDE experience. PUMA has published the findings in a comprehensive report to enable industry partners and other interested stakeholders to learn from the experience and apply those lessons to their own projects.

«We’ve learned a lot from the RE:SUEDE project, particularly about how to streamline our industrial composting process to include items that take longer to break down into compost,» explains Marthien van Eersel, Director of Materials and Innovation at Ortessa. «Although all the materials in the RE:SUEDE are biodegradable, the sole requires special pretreatment and takes longer to break down completely in the composting tunnel.»

PUMA will use feedback from volunteers who wore the RE:SUEDE for six months to improve the comfort of future versions of the shoe by optimizing the overall fit through the use of a new material for the upper and inner lining.

As part of the new RE:FIBRE polyester recycling program, RE:SUEDE was the first initiative from PUMA’s Circular Lab, an innovation hub led by PUMA’s innovation and design experts to develop future circular economy programs.

For more information, visit www.Foreverbetter.com and ortessa.com

PUMA

PUMA, one of the world’s leading sports brands, designs, develops, sells, and markets footwear, apparel, and accessories. For 75 years, PUMA has been tirelessly promoting sports and culture by creating products that embody speed for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers high-performance and sports-inspired lifestyle products across disciplines such as soccer, running and training, basketball, golf, and motorsports. The company collaborates with renowned designers and brands to infuse streetwear culture and fashion with athletic influences. The PUMA Group owns the PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd brands. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs over 20,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Ortessa Group

The Ortessa Group comprises the following five dynamic waste management companies: veyzle, Lammertyn.net, van Kaathoven, Rondo, and Valor Composting. Together, these subsidiaries have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of waste management, collection, and processing, and demonstrate the power of smart partnerships every day. Each specializes in a specific area of waste management but shares a clear, common mission: to communicate openly about waste. With a realistic, pragmatic, and results-oriented approach, Ortessa Group helps its clients overcome waste-related challenges.

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Contact

Samantha Du Plessis – PUMA SE – [email protected]

Mr. Schepers – Ortessa – [email protected]