“We are proud that we have reached our targets for more sustainable materials two years earlier than planned. We still have room for improvement, which is why, we have taken steps with our suppliers to sharply increase the amount of more sustainable materials in our products going forward,” said Stefan Seidel, head of corporate sustainability at Puma.By 2020, Puma said 90% of the cotton and polyester used in its products will come from more sustainable sources. This is part of a new strategy shifting the focus away from individual collections to create a broader and more substantial positive environmental impact throughout the product range.

“By focusing on Puma’s entire range, we can make a much larger positive impact and save a considerable amount of natural resources,” Seidel said.At the end of 2018, Puma sourced 50% of all cotton and 66% of all polyester used in its clothes from sustainable sources. The new materials included bluesign certified polyester, a production standard which eliminates harmful chemicals from the production process, and cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative, an organisation seeking to improve the environmental, social and economic impact of cotton production.Last year, the company also met its goal of sourcing 90% of its leather and paper/cardboard from more sustainable sources – and did so two years ahead of schedule. The firm said it now uses FSC certified paper and cardboard as well as leather from tanneries with a medal rating of the Leather Working Group.The 10FOR20 goals are designed to help Puma “improve its sustainability performance in ten areas including the environment and the wellbeing of workers in the factories of its suppliers”, it explained.Puma rival Adidas has also recently announced more intensive efforts in its pursuit to reduce its environmental footprint and has vowed to only use recycled plastics polyester to make its products by 2024. This week, the sportswear manufacturer also unveiled a 100% recyclable running shoe which is due to launch in 2021.