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This week, Adidas’ Chief Executive Kasper Rorsted was discussing in an interview where the global sportswear company was investing its money when he mentioned that “we last year sold one million shoes made out of ocean plastic”.
The astonishing figure was achieved through its partnership with Parley, a U.S. organisation which works to protect ocean wildlife and stop plastic waste.
It’s estimated that each shoe reuses 11 plastic bottles which have been recovered and designed to make high performance sportswear. Adidas and Parley now offer three types of Ultraboost shoe, made using plastic “intercepted from beaches and coastal communities before it reaches the ocean”, according its website.
Mr Rorsted continued during the interview: “That’s where we invest money – companies that have the technology that we need, companies that have materials that are unique”
“We are investing much more in companies that make a step forward in sustainability, or makes the manufacturing process much more sophisticated”.
The news comes as the company publishes its annual financial performance, which showed sales for the company up 15 percent to €21 billion over the past year. Sales into 2018 are expected to be slighter lower at 10 percent. Rorsted said 2017’s strong growth was “great progress toward achieving our mission to be the best sports company in the world”.
Adidas has also announced its plans to 3D print 100,000 shoes in 2018 as it continues to look into new materials and production methods. Rorsted said the company is committed to selling the 3D printed shoes through its partnership with manufacturing company Carbon, as it partners with companies that are using recycled materials and manufacturing.
Adidas will increase its production of the Parley for the Oceans range, aiming for five million units this year. The partnership was established in 2015 to raise awareness about ocean pollution and has created products including trainers and swimwear, as well as football kits.
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