Can PUMA create a shoe that reduces waste and gives back to the planet?

As part of its Forever Better commitment, which includes reducing waste to landfill by 50% by 2025, PUMA challenged itself to create a 100% biodegradable sneaker that isn’t just sustainable, it also gives back to the planet.

Introducing: RE:SUEDE, an experiment in biodegradability.

RE:SUEDE takes PUMA’s most iconic sneaker, the SUEDE, and reworks every fibre, every stitch, and every chemical to ensure the shoe can be biodegraded into Grade A compost for agricultural use.

RE:SUEDE isn’t just about a biodegradable shoe. It’s about testing materials. It’s about bringing consumers on the journey. It’s about transforming the afterlife of PUMA footwear. And about sharing learnings with the wider industry.

RE:SUEDE is an experiment.

The ambition: a 100% biodegradable sneaker.

But it’s not just about a biodegradable sneaker.

It’s about challenging ourselves to find innovative ways to challenge production waste.

It’s about finding new approaches for PUMA’s global production cycles.

It’s about changing minds and behaviours about the afterlife of footwear.

And it’s about scale.

As a global company, we know that PUMA has the reach to make a demonstrable difference with consumers around the world.

We believe so strongly in this, that we invited PUMA SUEDE fans to be part of the experiment.

Five hundred fans get to beta test the RE:SUEDE, giving us regular feedback and sharing across their networks. After six months, they’ll return the sneakers.

We’ll see how the materials performed and send the RE:SUEDEs for biodegradation.

Several audiences were critical to the RE:SUEDE experiment.

Finding the best production partners – for materials and processing.

PUMA needed partners that share their commitment to supporting the SDGs and who could help them find new ways to approach the challenge.

Nera’s zeology-tanned suede gives PUMA a low-waste, low-pollution alternative to traditional suede.

The Netherlands waste specialist, Ortessa, offers innovative approaches to the entire waste cycle. Ortessa’s support is essential in turning RE:SUEDEs into Grade A compost for agricultural purposes.

Bringing PUMA fans on the journey.

Tackling landfill waste requires a change in mindset. It’s why PUMA chose the iconic SUEDE for the experiment. And it’s why PUMA asked 500 fans to beta test the RE:SUEDE for six months and share their experiences with PUMA and the fan’s own networks.

Sharing knowledge with industry peers.

To get closer to circularity, PUMA will share its findings with industry peers.

For the sneaker to be fully biodegradable, every aspect of the shoe has to be considered. Every material, including the ends of the laces. Every chemical, to ensure the compost will be Grade A.

For RE:SUEDE, new, sustainable materials were sourced, researched and tested. Every element of the shoe had to pass industry standards both from a biodegradation aspect and how it would impact the final compost quality.

Biodegradable TPE replaced rubber in the soles. Zeology-tanned suede replaced the suede.

In February 2022, PUMA fans were invited to come on the journey.

500 fans – consumers and influencers – were able to test and wear the RE:SUEDE.

They’re documenting their experiences for six months, because if biodegradability is viable, it’s essential that the fans get behind it too.

In November 2022, they’ll return their RE:SUEDEs so the industrial biodegradation process can begin to produce Grade A compost.