Lululemon and Samsara Eco’s Packable Anorak jacket is said to showcase a "milestone" in textile-to-textile recycling with polyester produced through a combination of bioprocessing technologies.
This includes enzyme-based recycling from Samsara Eco and captured carbon emissions from LanzaTech, which is a new material process that is said to deliver the same feel and quality as Lululemon's light-weight and quick-drying material.
The limited-edition packable anorak includes a variety of inputs, including mixed plastic waste, Lululemon apparel at the end-of-life stage, and converted carbon emissions.
Samsara Eco's patented enzymes are used to break down complex synthetic blends, which are a core component of Lululemon's products and the broader performance apparel sector.
Lululemon noted that designing for circularity is central to its product philosophy and its goal of maintaining the highest value and maximising use for as a long as possible before recycling into new items.
“Our vision is to scale these technologies to address textile waste across our entire supply chain,” said Yogendra Dandapure, vice president of raw materials innovation at Lululemon. “This capsule product is a first step along this journey, helping us test and learn as we continue to advance circularity, which signals exciting possibilities for all industries looking to shift to more circular models.”
The collaboration is said to align with Lululemon's broader sustainability goals, including its aim to make 100% of products with preferred materials and end-of-use solutions by 2030.
Samsara Eco CEO and founder Paul Riley highlighted the transformative potential of enzymatic recycling technology. He added: "We're proud to be working with Lululemon to create change and disrupt the linear economy of plastic. The Packable Anorak shows the potential to give clothes an infinite life and prevent textiles from ending up in landfills."
