The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
The fitness apparel giant announced Wednesday it will be using the company’s bio-based materials for future products. Genomatica makes plant-based nylon, which Lululuemon said will replace some conventional nylon it uses for its workout apparel.
As part of the partnership, Lululemon has also made its first equity investment in Genomatica, although it would not disclose the amount.
Lululemon funding Genomatica is a nod at its sustainability goals. In October 2020, the company released its Impact Agenda, where it shared plans to become a more sustainable company. The company is working with Mylo, which develops mushroom-based leather, as well as LanzaTech, a company that makes polyester from recycled carbon emissions.
“Replacing the petrochemicals that make up many popular materials with more sustainable alternatives is a major step forward,” Patty Stapp, vice president of raw materials at Lululemon said in a statement.
Lululemon joins brands like Nike, Gucci, Adidas and Allbirds in developing materials that are either plant-based or made from recycled material as consumers become more environmentally conscious.
Learn more:
Gucci Joins Fashion’s New Materials Race
The Italian brand is launching vegan versions of its New Ace and Rhyton sneakers made with a leather alternative developed in-house.
The State of Fashion 2024 explores how the frequency and intensity of extreme weather-related events are leaving the industry’s value chain increasingly vulnerable.
Bestseller and H&M Group have pledged $100 million to help develop a renewable-energy project in Bangladesh, a possible template for more meaningful investment in decarbonising the industry.
Big brands like H&M Group, Inditex and Nike are turning to biomass like wood pellets and agricultural waste in a bid to get the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel out of energy-intensive manufacturing processes. Climate groups say it’s not any better.
With global temperatures reaching new highs and time running out for brands to deliver on their environmental commitments, here’s what fashion leaders need to know ahead of the start of the UN’s annual climate summit in Dubai Thursday.