Our products
We limit our products’ impact on the planet, by focusing on the materials used, the production processes we employ, and the features of the products themselves.
Protecting our earth to support people’s well-being
Our founding philosophy – Sound Mind, Sound Body requires a sound earth on which people can play sports and enjoy nature. Through our extensive value chain, from suppliers to consumers and end-of-life of our products, ASICS
has an impact on the earth. We aim to minimize this impact by innovating, developing circular approaches, and reducing our emissions and waste.
In 2023, we launched the innovative GEL-LYTETM III CM 1.95 the world’s lightest CO2e emissions sneaker in the market.*
We also launched our new carbon footprint label, with the new GEL-KAYANOTM 30 running shoes taking a step towards better traceability and transparency. Following the Mid-Term Plan 2026, we also moved forward with our commitments to circularity and biodiversity. Because we operate on a living planet, making use of its ecosystem services, our sustainability efforts need to address environmental impacts as connected topics.
Climate change, resource scarcity, and biodiversity are linked, and changes we make in one area, such as sourcing new materials, could have unintended impacts on other areas. In 2023, we launched our biodiversity policy to guide our efforts.* Based on available industry data for life cycle CO2e emissions as of September 2023.
Using recycled materials
Our target is to switch 100% of the polyester used in our shoes and sportwear products to be recycled polyester. This is part of our move toward a more circular approach, which involves expanding our use of recycled materials in our products.
Using Responsible natural materials
Increasingly, consumers want to know more about the background of branded products and materials, particularly natural materials. We have several initiatives focusing on the sustainable use of materials including leather and cotton.
Support for sustainable choices
Our ASICS Materials Guideline provides guidance for making ethical, compliant, clean and sustainable choices in product development and sourcing. It covers materials such as animal- based materials, PVC and conflict minerals.
Innovating products to benefit the planet
We are continuing our transition from a linear business model to a circular one across our entire value chain. Instead of business growth being reliant solely on higher product sales, we will offer and expand value by hosting virtual communities, running marathon events, and providing services for running
analysis and diagnosis, utilizing data accumulated from manufacturing.
With digital technologies, we will provide products and services tailored to each individual, minimizing resource use and extending product life.
Running for reforestation
More than 50,000 people worldwide took part in the Run for Reforestation Challenge in April 2023, a challenge to encourage people to foster healthy minds and bodies through exercise, and to act against climate change by supporting reforestation efforts. Through a partnership with One Tree Planted, ASICS pledged to plant 25,000 trees on reaching our goal of 25,000 Challenge completions, counting one tree for every 5km ran or walked. We reached that goal just one week into the challenge.
ASICS Circular Approach
The traditional linear take–make–waste business model is increasingly difficult to align with our environmental targets.
At ASICS, we are embracing circularity as one of the priority areas in our Mid-Term Plan 2026.
Circularity is built into the ASICS design philosophy: from the inception of a product to its end of life, we take steps to support circularity to reduce CO2 emissions. This means using more recycled (and recyclable) materials, reducing and repurposing waste, making more durable products and offering take-back services to consumers.
More about materials and processes
Chemical Management
At ASICS, we are committed to ensuring the quality and safety of our products. We are working to improve the risk management and compliance of chemical substances in the supply chain.
Managing quality and safety
We carry out product liability inspections that cover product safety, the application of quality improvement measures, and descriptions on product labels and promotional materials.
Chemical safety
We are committed to using chemicals safely, appropriately, and without harm to people or the environment, in compliance with all international and local laws and regulations.
Reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in footwear manufacturing
Traditionally, adhesives based on solvents containing “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)” have been used in the manufacture of athletic shoes. However, these solvents can have harmful impacts on people and the environment. Since 2011, we have been reducing the use of solvent-based adhesives by switching to water-based adhesives, adopting new production technologies and design techniques that allow athletic shoes to be made with fewer parts.