The new sneakers emit 1.95kg of carbon dioxide during their lifetime, from production to use to disposal, because plant-based materials are used for the insoles and cushioning. Having a lower environmental burden is becoming a factor for winning against the competition in the apparel industry.
Asics attributes its success in reducing carbon emissions to joint research with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that began in 2010.
The previous world’s most eco-friendly sneakers emit 4.3 kg of greenhouse gases, according to Asics, and the most eco-friendly running shoes emit 2.9 kg. The carbon footprint of the company’s new product is over 30% lower than even that.
President Yasuhito Hirota said, “a healthy environment of the Earth is needed for wholesome body and spirit.”
The maker plans to launch the Gel-Lyte 3cm 1.95 shoes in 2023 with a price tag of “around US$150.”
The shoes’ main features are the shock-absorbing midsole and insole, for which Asics has achieved carbon negativity – removing more carbon from the environment than they emit.
The shock-absorbing parts are made with bio-based polymers that Japanese chemical maker Kuraray has developed from sugar cane and other plants. The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants is, according to Asics, larger than the amount emitted during the sneakers’ production process.
The sneakers use yarn coloured by the solution dye technique, which uses less water. Some of the fabrics are made with recycled polyester.
Asics discloses emissions of carbon dioxide at the stages of production, transportation, use and disposal. Nearly 70% of emissions come from the production stage, including the procurement of materials. The amount for the new shoes is said to be down 80% from the average for the company’s other products.
Asics has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Hirota said the new sneakers are “just the beginning,” and the know-how that went into developing them “will be adopted to all other items.”
International shoemakers are pursuing emission cuts and announcing how much they have achieved.
US maker Allbirds also releases emissions data for each of its products. It has teamed up with Adidas of Germany to develop the Adizero x Allbirds 2.94kg CO2E running shoes, whose carbon footprint per pair is 2.94kg. US sports gear giant Nike is collaborating with an American biotech company to utilise eco-friendly materials derived from marine microbes.