Global sportswear brand adidas has tapped a Calgary-based startup to contribute carbon-tech to a line of shoes.
The Terrex footwear line is to be infused with captured carbon ink into over 400,000 pairs of shoes, slated for an autumn release, according to a statement from Oco, an Alberta enviro-tech firm.
This collaboration is the latest move in adidas’ strategy to incorporate more recycled and circular materials into their products, and a sizeable customer score for the fledging Oco.
“It’s really about educating and getting consumers involved right away, starting the learning process of what this material is,” Madison Savilow of Oco informed BetaKit.
The Terrex footwear line, known for resilience in severe conditions, will now integrate Oco’s proprietary CO2-enhanced ink. This ink merges screen printing with captured carbon material, creating a decal that can withstand harsh elements.
According to Savilow, Oco’s captured carbon materials are “mechanically sound” with “higher tensile strength” than traditional materials and their process enables more thorough recycling of hard plastics.
Born from Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Oco’s primary objective is to facilitate the production of goods that enhance the planet’s health.
To this end, they partner with renowned brands to incorporate CO2-captured and circular materials into their supply chains. They have worked with other apparel brands such as Helly Hansen in addition to various other artists and collaborators.
Experts in polymer engineering, building materials, and carbon utilization, Oco’s team is committed to assisting brands in achieving net-zero goals. Services extend from enhancing existing products with captured carbon additives to leading new polymer and carbon-based material research.
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