Puma's Ambitious Sustainability Progress: 70% Products Made From 'Better Materials' in 2022, Aims for 90% by 2025

Puma claimed in its 148-page 2022 sustainability report that it made seven out of 10 products from "better materials" last year as it boosted recycled material use.

The better materials used by Puma include sustainably sourced cotton and viscose, which have a lower carbon footprint.

The German sportswear giant added that it's on track to reach its goal of making nine out of 10 products with better materials by 2025. However, the figures do not include products manufactured by the Puma Group's Stichd.

Last year, Puma's use of more sustainable polyester reached 70.4 percent, including 48 percent recycled material. It utilized sed 99.8 percent more sustainable cotton and 100 percent leather.

Since 2017, Puma has reduced its carbon emissions from materials by 32 percent. According to Anne-Laure Descours, chief sourcing officer at Puma, while the company is aware that there is still a lot of work to do, they are encouraged by their progress last year.

Puma is targeting a 35% emissions reduction by 2030 and reduce its supply chain emissions by 60%. It is also looking beyond the sustainability of its direct suppliers and into that of its main and component suppliers.

The progress she was referring to included sourcing 100 percent renewable electricity for its offices, stores, and warehouses, with either renewable energy tariffs or attribute certificates. Consequently, Puma posted 86 percent lower carbon emissions than its 2017 baseline.

Suppliers also increased their renewable energy use in the supply chain, which accounts for most of Puma's carbon emissions. Its core suppliers, which account for 80 percent of Puma's production, doubled their renewable energy consumption in one year.

In apparel, Puma developed a textile-to-textile recycling opportunity with partners in Europe dubbed Re: Jersey.

Under CEO Arne Freundt, Puma is striving to communicate its sustainability strategy to consumers.

The brand eventually topped the sustainability rankings of the Platform Living Wage Financials, the Business of Fashion, and the FTSE4Good rankings in its sector.

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