Mizuno Sets to Launch Its First Running Shoes that Balances Carbon Impact
September 15th, 2022 – Japanese sporting equipment manufacturer, Mizuno, is gearing up to launch the Wave Neo Collection, its first running shoes that balances carbon impact.
Touted as the most eco-friendly running shoes to-date, the Wave Neo collection has the lowest environmental impact in Mizuno's history. The Wave Neo collection features the Wave Neo Wind and the Wave Neo Ultra. These running shoes were manufactured using environmentally friendly materials such as recycled polyester and plant-derived materials to reduce CO2 emissions. The Wave Neo collection also features non-dyed knit upper materials which uses less water, ultimately reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, the carbon impact during the product life cycle of the Wave Neo Collection, which will be sold worldwide this fiscal year(about 50,000pairs), will be balanced by the amount of CO2 absorbed through afforestation, making this the first product in Mizuno's history to balance CO2 impact.
For further information,visit URL
https://corp.mizuno.com/en/sustainability/environment/waveneocollection
The shoes are highly functional and are designed for performance runners as well as performance minded marathon runners. The Wave Neo Wind is engineered for both beginners and advanced runners who are environmentally conscious and prefer a propulsive feel for their run. The shoes are equipped with Mizuno's core function "MIZUNO WAVE," which provides both cushioning and stability, as well as Mizuno's proprietary "MIZUNO ENERZY," a highly resilient sole material.*1 In addition, the outsole features a "G3 sole" which is lightweight and has high grip. The "MIZUNO WAVE Plate" sole is equipped with Pebax® Rnew® , a plant-derived material made from castor oil.
The Wave Neo Ultra is engineered for beginner to intermediate runners who are also environmentally conscious and prefer a softer running feel. These running shoes are also equipped with Mizuno's core function "MIZUNO WAVE” (a foam wave structure that provides a softer feel). The sole thickness at the heel is 39 mm, pursuing unprecedented cushioning properties. The midsole is equipped with a combination of three types of Mizuno's proprietary highly resilient sole material*1 "MIZUNO ENERZY" for the first time, and with the “G3 sole” which is lightweight and has high grip.
*1 Effects and feelings vary depending on product design and other factors. Resilience is a comparison of vertical compression.
Mizuno partnered with the U.S. National Forest Foundation, and planted approximately 100,000 long pine trees in Chattahoochee, Georgia, U.S.A., for the purpose of absorbing CO2 emitted during the product life cycle of these running shoes.
CEO and president of Mizuno, Akito Mizuno is excited about the launch of the Wave Neo collection. He said: “In recent years, there has been drastic changes in the natural environment around the world that have not been seen before. The Wave Neo collection is Mizuno's first product line to balance its carbon impacts. This is a step toward achieving our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. We will continue to promote, preserve and pass on a sustainable and healthy environment for future generations.”
A spokesperson for U.S. National Forest Foundation said: “Currently, the world is experiencing extreme climate change, droughts, floods, and other phenomena threatening our way of life. To ensure that people's lives remain sustainable into the future, we are promoting tree-planting activities to absorb greenhouse gases.
Mizuno is a like-minded partner in reforestation activities. As a result of this activity in Georgia(USA), Mizuno's trees will absorb a cumulative total of approximately 50,000 tons of CO2.
We are delighted to be working together toward our shared goal of contributing to realizing a sustainable society."
National Forest Foundation
https://www.nationalforests.org/
Mizuno has disclosed information for balancing the carbon impact.
And it has been verified by a third-party organization, DNV Business Assurance Japan K.K..
Mizuno’s disclosure for balancing carbon impact
Third-party verification for balancing carbon impact
About DNV assurance Japan
URL: https://www.dnv.com/
Mizuno’s passion for reducing it’s carbon footprint began in 30 years ago in 1991 when the company launched the Crew21 Project, their own environmental conservation activities ahead of the rest of the industry. The project was so named with the idea of "taking on the role of a crew member of the 'Spaceship Earth' and carrying out activities to conserve resources and preserve the environment. Since then, Mizuno has been working to make effective use of resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes in their product planning. Today, the project has evolved into FY2021 promoting activities as a general sustainability project that encompasses not only environmental conservation activities but also social and economic spheres.
With its eco-friendly features and optimal design, The Wave Neo collection is being hotly anticipated by runners everywhere. The collection is scheduled to launch on September 15th.
For further information, visit,
https://corp.mizuno.com/en/sustainability/environment/waveneocollection
About Mizuno
Mizuno Corporation is a sporting equipment manufacturer established in Japan in 1906. In addition to developing and marketing products for a wide range of sports, including running, football, baseball and golf, the company is also committed to increasing availability of sporting equipment and promoting sports through activities such as supporting athletes and sponsoring events. Since our founding, we have taken special pride and pleasure in being able to participate in the exciting world of sports and providing sports equipment of the highest quality. Each and every one of us is guided by the ideal of true sportsmanship. This has been over 100 years and is still true today. It is evident in our corporate philosophy which, simply stated, is "Contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports." For further information on Mizuno, please visit our website https://corp.mizuno.com/en