The Next Stride project aims to accelerate the footwear industry’s shift towards sustainable, circular solutions by focusing on bio-based materials for shoe soles. This initiative involves major industry players like adidas, Target, and Zalando, working alongside material innovators such as Algenesis Labs and Balena. Currently, shoe soles, which make up about 40% of a shoe’s mass, are primarily made from non-recyclable, fossil fuel–based polymers. The project’s goal is to reduce the environmental impact of footwear production, as a typical synthetic running shoe has a carbon footprint of around 14 kilograms of CO2, largely due to raw material processing. By testing and validating bio-based polymers, The Next Stride seeks to replace traditional materials with more sustainable alternatives. Prototypes will undergo thorough testing to ensure they meet performance standards and offer environmental benefits. The results are expected to pave the way for wider adoption of bio-based soles in the industry.
Are industry leaders joining forces for eco-friendly shoe soles?
