PUMA Ranked Among Leading Brands in Sustainable Materials Strategy
Sportswear giant PUMA has achieved the highest recognition for its materials strategy in the 2024 Material Change Index, compiled by global non-profit organisation Textile Exchange. Out of hundreds of companies evaluated, PUMA was one of only 11 brands to be placed in the fourth and highest “Leading” tier.
PUMA Achieves Significant Recognition for Sustainable Materials
This prestigious ranking comes in recognition of PUMA’s integrated materials strategy, which aligns with global sustainability goals, includes climate targets, and demonstrates progress toward the circular use of materials. In 2023, the company was placed in the second-highest “Scaling” tier, marking this year’s achievement as a significant step forward. The recognition highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to addressing environmental challenges in the fashion industry.
“We know how important our choice of product materials is when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint and minimising our environmental impact,” said Anne Laure Descours, PUMA’s Chief Sourcing Officer. “We are thrilled to be ranked as ‘Leading’ in this year’s index, and we will use this as an opportunity to continue strengthening our materials strategy.”
PUMA’s Commitment to Sustainable Materials
PUMA has set an ambitious target to have 9 out of 10 products made from materials classified as preferred fibres by Textile Exchange or sourced from certified origins by 2025. In 2023, PUMA already achieved this goal for 8 out of 10 products, showing strong progress in its sustainability journey. The company has also made significant strides in sourcing sustainable materials, with 99.7% of all leather sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries and 99.2% of cotton being certified or recycled. Additionally, 99.4% of the company’s paper and cardboard packaging was also certified or recycled.
PUMA has also committed to using more sustainable materials in its apparel and accessories. Almost 65% of the polyester used in 2023 came from recycled sources, and the company has begun scaling up its use of recycled cotton. This initiative is part of PUMA’s ongoing efforts to reduce waste and improve the circularity of its products.
Expanding Circularity with RE:FIBRE Initiative
In 2024, PUMA furthered its commitment to sustainability with the launch of millions of football jerseys made from textile waste as part of its RE:FIBRE recycling initiative. This initiative is a testament to the company’s commitment to circular fashion, where post-consumer waste is repurposed into valuable new products, reducing the need for virgin materials and lowering the overall environmental impact of production processes.
The Material Change Index: Tracking Industry Progress
The Material Change Index is the largest peer-to-peer comparison initiative in the fashion industry, tracking the progress of companies in fibre sourcing, materials strategy, and circularity. The index aims to support the fashion industry in achieving a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from raw material production by 2030. PUMA’s recognition in the “Leading” tier highlights its ongoing efforts to play a pivotal role in the transition to more sustainable materials within the fashion industry.
The index not only serves as a measure of the sector’s sustainability but also encourages brands to improve their environmental performance by making meaningful changes in how materials are sourced, used, and recycled.
Strengthening PUMA’s Materials Strategy
As PUMA continues to make strides towards greater sustainability in its products, the company’s position in the “Leading” tier of the Material Change Index reinforces its dedication to environmental stewardship and the circular economy. This achievement underscores PUMA’s role as a leader in driving positive change within the global fashion industry. By continuing to innovate and evolve its approach, PUMA remains committed to reducing its environmental footprint and setting new standards for sustainability.