Global apparel and footwear company, Adidas, has announced its 2016 chemical management targets for the dyes used in its apparel and for chemicals used in its production processes.

The company told Chemical Watch that by the end of 2016:

• 75% of all dyes used in apparel will be approved by Bluesign, a Switzerland-based certificationcompany that applies standards for textile product manufacture and use of hazardous substances ); and
• It aims to have 30% of all auxiliary chemicals used in apparel approved by Bluesign. Auxiliaries are substances used to support the production process, but which do not add a function to the product.

The company surpassed its 2015 goals. These were set at 50% of all dyes and 10% of auxiliary chemicals approved by Bluesign. It said that by the end of the year 65% of dyes and 30% auxiliary chemicals had been approved.

To help achieve its target of eliminating all PFCs by 2017, it has been working with chemical
companies to explore formulations which are still in an R&D phase. In total, more than 8,400 lab tests were conducted and 43 “wear tests” were performed in a sporting environment.

In addition, the company confirmed this week that it has met its target of phasing out plastic microbeads from its body care products by 1 January 2016.