Press release
lululemon Partners with Leading Sustainable Materials Innovator Genomatica to Bring Bio-Nylon to Products
Renewably Sourced Materials to Help Replace Petrochemicals in Apparel for a Healthier Planet VANCOUVER, British Columbia & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
About this update from Lululemon Athletica Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nRenewably Sourced Materials to Help Replace Petrochemicals in Apparel for a Healthier Planet\n\n VANCOUVER, British Columbia & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nlululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) today announced a multi-year collaboration with sustainable materials leader Genomatica to bring renewably-sourced, bio-based materials into lululemon’s products. 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.\n\nGenomatica 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 $22B global nylon market by building more sustainable supply chains.\n\nCalvin McDonald, CEO, lululemon said, “Our partnership with and investment in Genomatica demonstrates our commitment to be a leader in creating products that help build a healthier future for ourselves, for our communities and for our planet. Genomatica's bio-based innovations, along with their distinctive track record of successful commercial applications, will help us deliver on our Impact Agenda goals to make 100% of our products with sustainable materials and end-of-use solutions by 2030, as we move toward a circular ecosystem.”\n\n“We are proud to partner with lululemon, a company that is taking meaningful action to help address our climate crisis,” said Christophe Schilling, CEO, Genomatica. “The combination of biotechnology, fermentation and renewable feedstocks can provide a powerful means to disrupt the apparel industry through sustainable sourcing. This unique collaboration will help meet increasing consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products and set an example for consumer brand owners worldwide.”\n\nPatty Stapp, VP, Raw Materials, lululemon, said, “Replacing the petrochemicals that make up many popular mate...