PUMA has launched a sustainability-focused iteration of its classic Suede silhouette, which is due to launch as part of a pilot scheme early next year. Dubbed the Re:Suede, the sneaker will incorporate a range of innovative materials, including Zeology tanned suede, biodegradable TPE and hemp fibres.
The Re:Suede sneaker will make its debut as part of PUMA’s upcoming pilot scheme looking at circularity in this space and aiming to produce a biodegradable shoe. 500 participants from across Germany will wear the Re:Suedes for six months, testing its durability and functionality, before then sending the sneakers back to PUMA. Once the shoes have been returned, PUMA will perform an industrial biodegrdation process, hoping to determine if Grade A compost can be produced from the Re:Suedes.
The initiative has been launched by PUMA Creative Director Heiko Desens, who said:
“In 2012, our circular ambition was bold but the technology wasn’t quite there. As they say, with every challenge there’s an opportunity – and we’ve continued to push ourselves to do better by applying our strengths as well as acknowledging and improving on our weaknesses. We hope that progress made during the Re:Suede experiment: ‘No Time For Waste‘ will help us continue to raise the bar in circularity testing – enabling our consumers to make better fashion choices in the future, so their sneakers can go ‘from Suede to Soil’, without compromising on product style or durability during ownership.”
For more sustainable footwear, Rick Owens recently presented his latest collaboration alongside Veja.