Athletic attire firm lululemon has entered right into a multi-year collaboration settlement with California-based biotechnology agency ZymoChem geared toward increasing using sustainable bio-based nylon in its merchandise.
Based in 2013, ZymoChem makes use of microbes to transform renewable feedstocks into biodegradable polymers with a near-zero CO2 emissions footprint. In accordance with the corporate, the method additionally produces supplies with a value benefit over petroleum-based nylon merchandise. lululemon started working with ZymoChem in 2024 to develop a extra sustainable key chemical constructing block of nylon 6,6, a cloth extensively utilized in lululemon merchandise and within the world clothes trade. The corporate raised $21 million in a Collection A funding spherical final yr, which included an funding by lululemon.
The following section of this partnership will deal with scaling ZymoChem’s applied sciences to help the commercialization of this bio-based different, lululemon mentioned.
Yogendra Dandapure, Vice President, Uncooked Supplies Innovation at lululemon, mentioned:
“What really units ZymoChem aside is their groundbreaking expertise, which is able to producing a bio-based materials to create sustainable nylon 6,6 that gives the identical look, really feel, and high quality anticipated from our high-performance merchandise. By persevering with to increase our partnerships with forward-thinking leaders like ZymoChem, we’re creating a number of pathways to transition to sustainable supplies throughout our product portfolio.”
In accordance with lululemon’s most up-to-date affect report, nylon is the corporate’s second largest procured materials by weight, representing 31% of supplies utilized in its merchandise. lululemon has set targets to launch different nylon options by 2025, and to supply 100% renewable or recycled content material nylon for its merchandise by 2030.
Since 2023, lululemon has launched merchandise utilizing enzymatically recycled nylon, enzymatically recycled polyester, and renewably sourced, plant-based nylon. lululemon mentioned that its partnership with ZymoChem marks one other vital step within the firm’s journey to develop extra sustainable supplies for its merchandise. By combining experience in bio-based applied sciences and uncooked supplies, the businesses will assist pave the way in which for extra sustainable high-performance attire, lululemon mentioned.
Harshal Chokhawala, Co-Founder & CEO of ZymoChem, mentioned:
“We spent years refining our patented Carbon Conserving course of with a imaginative and prescient to develop a sustainable model of nylon. We’re thrilled to have deepened our engagement with lululemon, setting the stage for our applied sciences to ship bio-based and decarbonized nylon on a worldwide scale.”
