Adidas reveals world's first 'fully recyclable' trainer
POSTED 23 Apr 2019 . BY Tom Walker
Sportswear giant Adidas has developed what it calls the world's first "100 per cent recyclable performance running shoe".
Produced under the Futurecraft.Loop brand, all components of the shoe – from the sole and laces to the traditionally woven upper – are made entirely from one single material, called Thermoplastic Polyeutherane (TPU).
Once the shoes come to the end of their "first" life, they can be returned to Adidas where they are washed, ground to pellets and melted into material for components for a new pair of shoes, with zero waste and nothing thrown away.
This is in contrast with the traditional manufacturing methods of sports footwear, which typically include complex material mixes and component glueing, resulting in a shoe which can only be downcycled.
“We set out to create a new type of product that we can take back, grind up and reapply into new Adidas product," said Tanyaradzwa Sahanga, technology and innovation manager at Adidas.
"We knew this was a far-reaching vision in every way; technically and behaviourally.
"There were times when it didn’t seem like we could get over some of the technical hurdles - now we’ve made the first leap, the playing field has changed.
"We cannot create a circular future on our own, we are going to need each other. We’re excited to see this first step come to life as part of the beta launch.”
The first generation of Futurecraft.Loop shoe is now being rolled out as part of a global beta programme across the world’s major cities.
Adidas has recruited 200 testers who will run, return the shoes and share feedback on their experience, ahead of the second-generation product.
The insights will be used to shape the roadmap for the wider consumer release targeted for 2021.
The Futurecraft.Loop project is aimed at tackling the problem of plastic waste, enabling a “closed loop” or circular manufacturing model, where the raw materials can be repurposed again and again.
It is estimated that more than 45 million pairs of running shoes are sold each year in the US alone – with most of them ending up in landfills.
The shoes can be returned to Adidas where they are ground to pellets and melted into material for components for a new pair of shoes
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Adidas reveals world's first 'fully recyclable' trainer
POSTED 23 Apr 2019 . BY Tom Walker
Sportswear giant Adidas has developed what it calls the world's first "100 per cent recyclable performance running shoe".
Produced under the Futurecraft.Loop brand, all components of the shoe – from the sole and laces to the traditionally woven upper – are made entirely from one single material, called Thermoplastic Polyeutherane (TPU).
Once the shoes come to the end of their "first" life, they can be returned to Adidas where they are washed, ground to pellets and melted into material for components for a new pair of shoes, with zero waste and nothing thrown away.
This is in contrast with the traditional manufacturing methods of sports footwear, which typically include complex material mixes and component glueing, resulting in a shoe which can only be downcycled.
“We set out to create a new type of product that we can take back, grind up and reapply into new Adidas product," said Tanyaradzwa Sahanga, technology and innovation manager at Adidas.
"We knew this was a far-reaching vision in every way; technically and behaviourally.
"There were times when it didn’t seem like we could get over some of the technical hurdles - now we’ve made the first leap, the playing field has changed.
"We cannot create a circular future on our own, we are going to need each other. We’re excited to see this first step come to life as part of the beta launch.”
The first generation of Futurecraft.Loop shoe is now being rolled out as part of a global beta programme across the world’s major cities.
Adidas has recruited 200 testers who will run, return the shoes and share feedback on their experience, ahead of the second-generation product.
The insights will be used to shape the roadmap for the wider consumer release targeted for 2021.
The Futurecraft.Loop project is aimed at tackling the problem of plastic waste, enabling a “closed loop” or circular manufacturing model, where the raw materials can be repurposed again and again.
It is estimated that more than 45 million pairs of running shoes are sold each year in the US alone – with most of them ending up in landfills.
The shoes can be returned to Adidas where they are ground to pellets and melted into material for components for a new pair of shoes
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Latest Leisure Opportunities news round-up is now live! POSTED 29 Apr 2019. BY Tom Walker Adidas reveals world's first fully recyclable running shoe, a virtual reality tour of the universe
narrated by Stephen Hawking to launch in 2020, Bodystreet plans to open 200 EMS studios in
the UK and the Mental Health Foundation chooses body image as the theme for its Mental
Health Awareness Week.
Adidas launches holistic women's fitness app POSTED 28 Jul 2017. BY Lauretta Ihonor Sports apparel giant Adidas has launched a 360-degree fitness app in an effort to help
women turn exercise into a lifestyle.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean
muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
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