Lululemon has announced a multi-year collaboration with San Leandro, California-based biotechnology pioneer ZymoChem to help expand the production and adoption of bio-based nylon.

Together, lululemon and ZymoChem aim to sustainably transform nylon 6.6 – a foundational material used in many of lululemon’s products including its Align and Wunder Train leggings.

Lululemon’s work with ZymoChem began last year with an initial investment to support technologies used to create a bio-based version of adipic acid – one of the key chemical building blocks of nylon 6.6 traditionally produced from oil. The next phase of this partnership will focus on scaling ZymoChem’s technologies to support the commercialisation of the bio-based alternative.

“What truly sets ZymoChem apart is its technology, which is capable of producing a bio-based material to create sustainable nylon 6.6 that provides the same look, feel and quality expected from our high-performance products,” said Yogendra Dandapure, vice president of raw materials innovation at lululemon. “By continuing to expand our partnerships with forward-thinking leaders like ZymoChem, we’re creating multiple pathways to transition to sustainable materials across our product portfolio.”

This collaboration builds on lululemon’s partnerships with other sustainable materials leaders, including Geno, to expand lower-impact bio-based nylon alternatives. Additionally, last year, lululemon and Australian enviro-tech startup Samsara Eco unveiled the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6.6 product, proving textile-to-textile recycling is possible for this complex fibre.

“We spent years refining our patented carbon conserving process with a vision to develop a sustainable version of nylon,” said Harshal Chokhawala, co-founder and CEO of ZymoChem. “We are thrilled to have deepened our engagement with lululemon, setting the stage for our technologies to deliver bio-based and decarbonised nylon on a global scale.”

www.lululemon.com

www.zymochem.com