Adidas is taking its ocean plastic concept to the next level, announcing Friday the first commercial quantities of footwear and apparel made with recycled plastic from the ocean.
Through the company’s partnership with ocean advocacy network Parley for the Oceans, Adidas will roll out Bayern Munich and Real Madrid Parley jerseys this month, followed by the launch of the UltraBoost Uncaged Parley, the first mass-production performance shoe created using Parley Ocean Plastic.
The UltraBoost Uncaged Parley, with 7,000 pairs initially available, features a knitted upper created with 95 percent ocean plastic and 5 percent recycled polyester. The laces, heel cap base material, heel webbing, heel lining and the sock-liner cover are made of recycled materials. Its design is inspired by ocean waves.
Adidas Group Executive Board Member Eric Liedtke said in a press release that the company plans to make one million pairs of shoes using Parley Ocean Plastic in 2017 with the goal of eventually eliminating virgin plastic from its supply chain.
“This represents another step on the journey of Adidas and Parley for the Oceans. We have not only managed to make footwear from recycled ocean plastic, but have also created the first jersey coming 100 percent out of the ocean,” he said.
The UltraBoost Uncaged Parley will be available to purchase in mid-November, while the Parley soccer jerseys will be available online and in select Adidas stores starting Nov. 4 (Bayern Munich) and Nov. 24 (Real Madrid).