lululemon Announces New Collaboration with ZymoChem to Advance and Scale Bio-Based Nylon – Renewable Carbon News
In a move to elevate its sustainability practices, lululemon has revealed a groundbreaking, multi-year partnership with ZymoChem, a biotechnology innovator based in San Leandro, CA. This collaboration aims to expand the company’s use of bio-based nylon, showcasing lululemon’s commitment to pioneering sustainable innovation.
The focal point of this collaboration is the transformation of a key building block of nylon 6,6—a crucial material utilized in many of lululemon’s famed products, such as the Align and Wunder Train leggings. The partnership seeks to convert traditionally petroleum-based adipic acid, a core chemical of nylon 6,6, into a bio-based alternative.
lululemon’s journey with ZymoChem began last year with an initial investment directed toward groundbreaking technologies designed to create this bio-based version of adipic acid. Now, their collaborative efforts are transitioning into the next phase, which will emphasize scaling these technologies for the commercialization of the sustainable alternative.
Yogendra Dandapure, Vice President of Raw Materials Innovation at lululemon, stated, “What truly sets ZymoChem apart is their groundbreaking technology, capable of producing a bio-based material to create sustainable nylon 6,6 that maintains the look, feel, and quality our high-performance products are known for. By fostering partnerships with forward-thinking leaders like ZymoChem, we are forging multiple pathways to transition to sustainable materials across our product portfolio.”
This recent venture aligns with lululemon’s other commitments to sustainable materials, including collaborations with Geno to develop lower-impact bio-based nylon alternatives. Additionally, last year marked a significant achievement as lululemon, in conjunction with Australian enviro-tech startup Samsara Eco, unveiled the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product, illustrating the feasibility of textile-to-textile recycling for this high-quality, complex fiber. This collaboration not only marked an industry first but also underscored the transformative potential of partnerships in achieving groundbreaking change.
By combining ZymoChem’s expertise in bio-based technologies with lululemon’s dedication to raw materials innovation, this partnership represents a critical step towards creating more products featuring preferred materials and end-of-use solutions. Such initiatives are crucial in paving the way for more sustainable high-performance apparel.
Harshal Chokhawala, Co-Founder & CEO of ZymoChem, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We spent years refining our patented Carbon Conserving process with a dream to develop a sustainable version of nylon. We are thrilled to have deepened our engagement with lululemon, setting the stage for our technologies to deliver bio-based and decarbonized nylon on a global scale.”
lululemon continues to enhance its portfolio of partners in a bid to advance renewable and recycled innovation across a diverse range of materials. From bio-based nylon 6 and 6,6 to textile-to-textile recycling for both polyester and nylon, the company remains resolute in its quest for next-generation solutions that redefine performance and material science, setting a standard for the future of sustainable textiles.
To discover more about lululemon’s innovations in material sustainability and their broader commitments to environmental stewardship, explore their corporate site for further insights.
