Adidas Bans Fur, Commits to Sustainable Materials

Adidas is the latest company to ban fur.

The German sportswear giant is the 1500th to join the Fur Free Retailer program. Lacoste, the Prada Group, Zara, North Face, H&M, ASOS, Zalando, and Marks & Spencer are also members.

The fashion and textiles industries, in general, are moving away from fur products. This is in response to changing public opinion, welfare concerns, and the environmental impact of fur production.

“Adidas is driving the topic of sustainability in all areas of its product range as well as across its entire business operations,” explained Frank Henke, senior vice president of sustainability at Adidas, in a statement sent to LIVEKINDLY.

“We have already been exclusively sourcing more sustainable cotton since 2018, will only be using recycled polyester from 2024, and this year will be launching the first running shoe that is made to be remade,” he continued. “The permanent renunciation of fur underlines our commitment in searching for and scaling up sustainable material innovations.” 

‘Even brands not using fur still want to distance themselves’

While Adidas does not currently sell any products made using fur, this decision firmly commits the company to a fur-free future. Animal welfare nonprofit Humane Society International UK (HSI UK), which spearheads the #FurFreeBritainCampaign, and the Fur Free Alliance welcomed Adidas’s announcement.

“We commend Adidas for taking a public stand against the cruelty of fur fashion,” said Claire Bass, executive director of HSI UK. “Adidas’s commitment clearly shows that even brands not using fur still want to distance themselves from the cruel and environmentally damaging fur industry.”

“Every time a leading brand commits to a fur-free policy, we are one step closer to a world where millions of animals no longer endure a lifetime of suffering for the frivolity of fur fashion,” she added.

Adidas Embraces Vegan Shoes

The upcoming sustainable running shoe is not Adidas’s first recyclable option, and in 2019 it launched the first Futurecraft.LOOP — a vegan trainer “made to be remade.”

Adidas has previously worked with Stella McCartney — an outspoken champion of sustainable fashion and animal welfare — on several leather-free versions of the iconic Stan Smith design.

Last year Adidas also introduced its Clean Classics range, an all-vegan collection including the popular Superstar, Continental 80, and Supercourt designs. Each pair of Clean Classics features primarily recycled materials and renewable rubber.

As part of its overall push for sustainable materials, the brand is currently developing a new, mycelium-based leather-style material to use in future eco-friendly designs.