On announces new initiative turning carbon emissions into running shoes

Swiss performance sportswear brand On has announced it is to launch a new sustainable initiative using carbon emissions to create foam for its running shoes, as it looks to move away from petroleum-based resources.

In an effort to reshape carbon waste into running shoes, On is working with LanzaTech and Borealis, two innovative companies in biochemicals and polymer innovation to use carbon emissions as a primary raw material to create EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam, the material used for the sole unit of its high-performance running shoes.

The "CleanCloud" innovation works by using cutting-edge technology from LanzaTech to capture carbon monoxide emitted from industrial sources such as steel mills or emissions from landfill sites, before it is released into the atmosphere. The captured emissions enter a patented fermentation process using specially selected bacteria and is converted into liquid ethanol. On explained in a statement that the natural fermentation process is similar to conventional alcohol production.

The ethanol is then dehydrated to create ethylene, which is polymerised by Borealis to produce the versatile and lightweight cushioning for On's running shoes.

Caspar Coppetti, co-founder and executive co-chairman at On, said in a statement: "It’s a win-win situation: we are capturing emissions before they pollute our atmosphere and are at the same time moving away from fossil-based materials.

"Innovation is at the heart of our brand, and after four years of intense research, we are very proud to announce this supply chain coalition with our world-class partners LanzaTech and Borealis."

The Swiss brand stated that it has been working on "CleanCloud" for four years to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by connecting these technologies at a commercial scale through its collaborative approach with LanzaTech and Borealis.

Besides being the first company in the footwear industry to explore carbon emissions for a shoe bottom unit, company aims to exchange all bottom units from On shoes currently made from EVA with its latest innovation, including the whole Cloud range, The Roger franchise collection (named after tennis star and investor in On, Roger Federer) and a part of its active lifestyle assortment.

The Swiss company added that it hopes to use the process on other shoe parts and products in the future.

LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren said: "We are showing the world what is possible when we rethink how we source, use and dispose of carbon. By converting pollution to products, we can see that someday everything in our daily lives will come from recycled carbon. We are excited to be on this journey with On and Borealis to bend the carbon curve, keep our skies blue, and create a sustainable future for all."

Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Executive Vice President of polyolefins, innovation and circular economy solutions at Borealis, added: "Borealis is thrilled to be part of the unique, first-of-its-kind CleanCloud initiative. With our creative partners On and Lanzatech, we are proud to co-create circularity in carbon, and decouple plastic from its reliance on fossil-feedstock. Through innovation and collaboration, we continue re-inventing for more sustainable living."