Adidas and others collaborate to accelerate the testing and validation of bio-based soles
On September 18, Fashion for Good announced the launch of "The Next Stride: Bio-Based Materials for Footwear Soles," a 12-month project aimed at accelerating the transformation of the approximately $400 billion global footwear industry by redefining the sole, one of the most impactful components of footwear.
The project brings together industry leaders including adidas, Target, and Zalando, along with groundbreaking material innovators including Algenesis Labs, Balena, Evoco, KUORI, and Yulex, to test and validate bio-based polymers as high-performance alternatives to the fossil-based materials that currently dominate footwear production. By focusing on soles, The Next Stride aims to accelerate the industry's transition to scalable, circular solutions.
Sole materials are primarily made from fossil-based polymers such as PU, TPU, EVA, and rubber, which have few large-scale recycling options and are difficult to recycle. As approximately 40% of the total weight of a shoe, the sole contributes significantly to the carbon footprint. A typical pair of synthetic running shoes emits approximately 14 kilograms of carbon dioxide, 97% of which comes from the processing and manufacturing of raw materials. In addition, wear and tear of the soles will release microplastics, which will have long-term cumulative impacts on soil, water bodies and even the indoor environment.
In The Next Stride project, adidas, Target, and Zalando will work with a number of material innovation companies to conduct rigorous testing to verify whether bio-based polymers can fully replace traditional materials in terms of performance and environmental protection. The project will be advanced through material evaluation, performance mapping, prototype testing, etc., and the internationally recognized testing organization SATRA will assist in verifying the results. The relevant results will provide a reference for the industry to formulate a large-scale application roadmap, including raw material availability, environmental impact accounting, terminal processing methods, and the infrastructure required to support wider implementation.
Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, said: "The Next Stride is a pivotal collaborative exploration. By transforming the sole, we are shining a spotlight on the most impactful component in a shoe's lifecycle, opening the door to systemic change in the footwear industry."
Gudrun Messias, Director of Sustainability at adidas, said: "For adidas, sustainability and performance are inextricably linked. Through The Next Stride, we hope to work with innovative partners to explore how bio-based materials can significantly reduce the environmental impact of shoe soles while maintaining or even improving product performance."
Pascal Brun, Vice President of Sustainability and Diversity and Inclusion at Zalando said: "Our research shows that consumers are demanding more sustainable choices, and material innovation is key to meeting this demand. The Next Stride will reimagine the sole – the foundation of every shoe – and set a new benchmark for the industry."
