adidas weaves synthetic spider silk in latest biodegradable sneakers

adidas’ futurecraft has dedicated the past years to develop innovative products from a sustainable point of view. their porftolio includes sneakers made from up-cycled ocean plastics and ‘tailored fibre’ shoes that can be modified to the individual’s specific and custom requirements. the latest addition is the world’s first performance shoe made using biosteel® fiber — a replication of natural silk.

developed in partnership with german biotech company AMSilk — the first producer of nature-based spider silk fibers — the adidas ‘futurecraft biofabric’ prototype shoe features an upper made from 100% biosteel® fiber, a nature-based and completely biodegradable high-performance fiber. the material is ideal for sports performance as it is 15% lighter in weight than conventional synthetic fibers as well as having the potential to be the strongest fully natural material available. continuing adidas’ journey of sustainable innovation, the biosteel® fiber is 100% biodegradable in a fully natural process.

‘in a year of ground-breaking innovations from adidas, the announcement of our partnership with AMSilk — and the unveiling of the adidas futurecraft biofabric shoe — is another step in our commitment to redefining the sports industry,’ comments james carnes, vice president of strategy creations at adidas. ‘this concept represents premium innovation. by using biosteel® fiber in our products, we have achieved an unrivaled level of sustainability. we are moving beyond closed loop and into an infinite loop – or even no loop at all. this is a pioneering stride forward beyond sustainability into a new territory of bionic innovation.’