Wear, return, biodegrade: PUMA RE:SUEDE initiative kicks off with distribution of 500 pairs of shoes

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Sports brand PUMA begins distributing 500 pairs of its experimental RE:SUEDE sneakers to participants in Germany after receiving unprecedented interest in its biodegradability project.

With the RE:SUEDE initiative, PUMA will test the potential of a biodegradable version of its iconic shoe, the SUEDE. Participants will wear the RE:SUEDE for six months before returning them to PUMA. The company will then send the worn RE:SUEDES to industrial composting specialist Ortessa in the Netherlands, who will check whether the sneakers can be biodegraded in a controlled industrial environment.

«We are delighted to have received significantly more requests to participate in the RE:SUEDE initiative than we had pairs available, which is testament to the strong interest in the theme of sustainability,» says Heiko Desens, global creative director at PUMA. «As part of this initiative, we will also be gathering feedback from participants on the comfort and robustness of the sneakers, which will help us design their future versions, should they be successful.»

Global PUMA Brand Ambassadors, such as model, actress and activist Cara Delevingne, will also be testing the RE:SUEDE as part of the project.

The RE:SUEDE is made from materials such as Zeology-tanned suede, biodegradable TPE and hemp fibers. Compared to other biodegradable materials that have been evaluated by PUMA, these materials ensure enhanced comfort.

The RE:SUEDE initiative is the first project launched as part of PUMA's «Circular Lab», an innovation center that brings together the brand's sustainability and design experts to work on circularity programs. The recently announced RE:JERSEY project, in which PUMA is piloting an innovative garment-to-garment recycling process, is also part of the Circular Lab's mission.

PUMA

PUMA, one of the world's leading sports brands, designs, develops, sells and markets footwear, apparel and accessories. For over 70 years, PUMA has continued to advance sport and culture by creating high-performance products for the world's fastest athletes. PUMA offers lifestyle products of excellence inspired by sport in categories such as soccer, running and training, basketball, golf and motorsports. The Company collaborates with renowned designers and brands to introduce sport trends into urban culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd brands. The company distributes its products in over 120 countries and employs around 16,000 people worldwide. Its headquarters are in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

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Contact

Contact with the media:
Robert-Jan Bartunek

Corporate communications

PUMA SE

+49 9132 81 3134

[email protected]