Athleisure juggernaut Lululemon will source a significant portion of some its fabrics from Samsara Eco under a new 10-year offtake agreement.
Key Takeaways
- Australian enviro-tech start-up Samsara Eco has announced a 10-year partnership with activewear company Lululemon.
- Lululemon has committed to sourcing recycled raw materials from Samsara Eco, which could support about 20% of the company’s overall fibers portfolio.
- Last year, the two companies created the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product sample, and introduced Lululemon’s first enzymatically recycled polyseter product.
- Samsara Eco is also set to open a new plant in Jerrabomberra, New South Wales, to increase production volumes.
Key background
Samsara Eco launched out of Australian National University in 2020 with the backing of Main Sequence and Woolworths Group’s W23, and made its name through its patented enzymatic recycling tech, EosEco.
The company, which raised $100 million (US$65 million) in its Series A+ round led by Temasek (headquartered in Singapore) in June last year, created a family of enzymes that break down plastic waste (like textiles made from nylon and polyester) into raw materials, which can then be integrated back into the manufacturing process to create new products.
Last year, Samsara Eco and activewear giant Lululemon brought to market the world’s first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product sample, as well as introduced lululemon’s first enzymatically recycled polyester product to market with a limited-edition Packable Anorak. Now, the two companies have announced a 10-year offtake agreement that will see Lululemon source a significant portion (about 20%) of its future nylon 6,6 and polyester needs from Samsara Eco.
“As we work toward our 2030 impact goals, we’re taking a diversified approach—investing in multiple partnerships to advance solutions and help reduce our reliance on fossil-fuel derived resources,” Lululemon’s chief supply chain officer, Ted Dagnese, said.
Crucial quote
“The technology to make circular materials is not a pipe dream – it is here, ready for adoption by forward-thinking companies. I’m incredibly optimistic about how we will help fuel circular apparel over the next decade with lululemon.” – Paul Riley, founder and chief executive officer of Samsara Eco, said.
Looking ahead
Samsara Eco is also set to open a new plant in Jerrabomberra, New South Wales, to help increase production volumes and advance its engineered enzyme technology, EosEco. It will also open an international commercial facility in 2028.
Tangent
Lululemon’s billionaire founder Chip Wilson made another big bet on activewear with Amer Sports , the parent company of outdoors brands like Arc’teryx (outerwear), Wilson (tennis rackets), Salomon (running shoes and ski gear) and Atomic (ski gear), back in late 2023. His stake in that company is now worth about US$3.2 billion, double its value when it went public in February 2024.
