Genomatica and lululemon join forces to create a renewable nylon to replace conventional nylon
Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.
lululemon athletica inc. (lululemon) has announced a multi-year collaboration with Genomatica to bring biobased materials into its products.
Press release: “lululemon Partners with Leading Sustainable Materials Innovator Genomatica to Bring Bio-Nylon to Products”, 18/08/2021.
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Figure 1. Genomatica and lululemon join forces to create a renewable nylon to replace conventional nylon
This represents lululemon’s first-ever equity investment in a sustainable materials company and Genomatica’s largest partnership within the retail industry. Together, the two companies will create a lower-impact, plant-based nylon to replace conventional nylon, which is the largest volume of synthetic material currently used to make lululemon products.
Genomatica uses biotechnology and fermentation to convert plant-based ingredients into widely used chemical building blocks, like those used to make nylon. These building blocks are converted to pellets and yarns, and the companies will be working closely with lululemon’s fabric supply chain to incorporate this material into future products. Through this collaboration, the companies seek to create positive change within the global nylon market by building more sustainable supply chains.
In October 2020, lululemon released its first-ever Impact Agenda, outlining ambitious social and environmental goals and multi-year strategies toward a more equitable, sustainable, and healthy future. The collaboration with Genomatica is one of the many ways lululemon is bringing new, sustainable innovation to its raw materials. Additional examples include the company’s partnership with Mylo, to use a mycelium-based leather, and LanzaTech, for polyester made using recycled carbon emissions.
