The Next Stride” is a Fashion for Good project focused on developing and validating high-performance bio-based alternatives to the fossil fuel-derived polymers used in footwear soles, a component responsible for significant environmental impact and microplastic pollution. In collaboration with brands like adidas, Target, and Zalando, and material innovators, the 12-month project will test and assess the technical properties and environmental benefits of these next-generation materials to accelerate their industry-wide adoption and foster a more circular footwear industry
. Goals of The Next Stride are to replace traditional, non-recyclable polymers like EVA, PU, TPU, and rubber with sustainable, bio-based polymers. The goals are to also rigorously test and validate that bio-based alternatives meet the same performance standards as conventional sole materials. The initiative seeks to assess environmental impact by conducting thorough life cycle assessments to understand the true environmental benefits of these new materials compared to current options. Brand Partners, Adidas, Target, and Zalando are working to incorporate these sustainable materials into their products. While material innovators such as Algenesis Labs, Balena, Evoco, KUORI, and Yulex are developing the advanced bio-based polymers. Testing Partner, SATRA, an independent research and testing organization, will help validate the performance and durability of the new materials.
“The Next Stride is a critical, collaborative intervention to de-risk the widespread adoption of high-performance bio-based alternatives for footwear soles. By transforming the very foundation of the shoe, we address the most impactful component in its lifecycle and open the door to systemic change in the footwear industry,” says Katrin Ley, Managing Director at Fashion for Good. For adidas, sustainability and performance go hand in hand. Through The Next Stride, we will work with innovators to explore if bio-based materials can potentially lower the environmental impact of footwear soles while at the same time meeting or even enhancing the high-performance standards our athletes and consumers expect from adidas products,” says Gudrun Messias, Director, Sustainability Direction at Adidas. “We have recently confirmed in our sustainability attitude-behaviour gap report, It Takes Many, consumers aspire for more sustainable choices. We believe innovation in materials is key to meeting that demand. The Next Stride brings together the right partners to reimagine the sole, the foundation of every shoe, and set new benchmarks for the industry” says Pascal Brun, VP Sustainability and D&I at Zalando.
