PUMA: Transforming Textile Waste into New Textiles

PUMA launches RE: FIBRE program which aims to include materials from a fiber-to-fiber recycling process instead of using recycled PET from other applications.

Like many major actors in the industry, PUMA uses recycled plastic bottles as a main source of material to produce its garments made of recycled polyester. This practice is not as sustainable as it seems. PET has a high recycling rate for food and beverage packaging, but the fashion industry recycles less than 1% of its products. A sustainable alternative would be the textile recycling.

You may also read: The Fashion Industry Needs an Alternative to Recycled PET

Textile chemical recycling for a fiber-to-fiber approach

The RE: FIBRE process utilizes textile waste as its main material source. Through a chemical breakdown, it creates new textiles, akin to chemical recycling. The resulting recycled material equals the quality of new, allowing for multiple recycling cycles. This positions RE: FIBRE as a promising and sustainable long-term solution for recycling polyester textile waste.

All garments from this initiative are made of at least 95% recycled textile waste and other used materials made of polyester.

Through this program, PUMA aims to take more responsibility for reducing the impact of textile waste via a long-term solution for recycling. With the innovative RE: FIBRE program, PUMA can repurpose collected textile waste and other used materials to create new textiles.

PUMA plans to increase its overall usage of recycled polyester (by weight) to 75% by 2025.

A program for cooperation

The program is not limited to PUMA’s clothing; it welcomes products from any brand for recycling through the RE: FIBRE initiative. However, some items may not be suitable for the RE: FIBRE process based on their composition. In such instances, PUMA’s sorting partners will responsibly repurpose or dispose of these items through other channels.

Finally, the success of this campaign lies in the cooperation of users and brands. That’s why Important Soccer teams are partnering with the brand to commercialize their products from recycled textiles. They are AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Swiss SFV.