Dive Brief:
- Lululemon has expanded its partnership with Samsara Eco through a 10-year offtake agreement for the startup’s recycled nylon and polyester, according to a press release Wednesday.
- The deal could allow Samsara Eco to produce 20% of the fibers in Lululemon’s portfolio, supporting the athleticwear giant’s goal of making more products with “preferred materials” by 2030.
- Lululemon initially partnered with Samsara Eco in 2023 in a multi-year agreement meant to create “infinitely recycled” nylon and polyester. The athleticwear giant debuted its first product with Samsara Eco’s material the following year, a packable anorak.
Dive Insight:
Lululemon is positioning the deal as a step toward realizing its circular sourcing ambitions.
“As we work toward our 2030 impact goals, we’re taking a diversified approach — investing in multiple partnerships to advance solutions and help reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel derived resources,” Ted Dagnese, chief supply chain officer at Lululemon, said in the release.
Lululemon has reported progress each year on integrating preferred materials into its manufacturing processes. In 2023, 38% of the products Lululemon procured contained more than 50% of materials the company deemed as being better for the environment, according to its latest impact report.
Lululemon has also partnered with other alternative material companies. Earlier this year, Lululemon partnered with ZymoChem on bio-based nylon. It has previously worked with Geno on plant-based products and Bolt Threads on mycelium products.
Samsara Eco enzymatically recycles nylon 6,6 products. It also recycles polyester by engineering enzymes that break down plastic to its original building blocks, which can then be added to manufacturing processes to create new products, per the release.
Australia-based Samsara Eco will open a new plant in Jerrabomberra, New South Wales, to support its commercialization efforts, per the release. The startup also plans to open an international commercial facility in 2028.
Earlier this month, Lululemon announced it would modestly raise prices to account for tariff impacts. The company reported Q1 revenue of $2.4 billion, up 7% over the year-ago period.
