PR97883

KOBE, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- The GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is the result of over 10 years' research and

development by ASICS to reduce emissions across all stages of the product

lifecycle.

- Significantly lighter than the lowest CO2e sneakers currently available on

the market[2], the GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is a major leap forward by ASICS in

its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

- Key innovations within the sneaker, including a new carbon negative foam,

combine to improve sustainability without compromising on quality.

- The GEL-LYTE(TM)  III CM 1.95 and new technologies will roll out globally in

AW23.

ASICS is today launching the new GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 sneaker. Emitting

just 1.95kg CO2e across its life cycle, significantly lighter than the lowest

CO2e sneakers currently available on the market, it represents a significant

leap forward by ASICS in its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is the result of over 10 years of research and

development by ASICS, beginning when ASICS first partnered with the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) back in 2010 to find a better way

to accurately measure the CO2e impact across the entire life cycle of a product.

In continuing to finetune its research and reapply the findings, ASICS has been

able to make hundreds of incremental gains across the four key stages of the

product life cycle (Materials & Manufacturing, Transportation, Use and

End-of-life), identifying all the small differences that combine to make a big

impact.

The result is the GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 - achieving new levels of

sustainability without compromising on quality.

Among the sneaker's series of innovations is a new carbon negative foam, which

features as part of its midsole and sockliner. Made from a fusion of bio-based

polymers[3] derived partly from sugarcane, these combine to deliver high-level

comfort and quality in a sustainable way.

Other key design details in the shoe include the use of recycled and solution

dyed polyester in the main upper material and the sockliner mesh, reflecting

ASICS' target of sourcing 100% of its polyester from recycled sources by 2030.

The shoe features a new structure utilizing tape that enables less material

usage,  and 100% renewable energy  used throughout the manufacturing phase.

The result of all these innovations and changes coming together is the

GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95. The ground-breaking new sneaker is a milestone in

ASICS' long-term ambition of achieving net-zero emissions as a business by

2050, helping conserve the ability of future generations to continue

experiencing the uplifting power of sport on the mind.

Minako Yoshikawa, Senior General Manager, ASICS Sustainability Division said:

"At ASICS we have long been committed to exploring and testing more sustainable

methods through our value chain to reduce our impact on the planet. While the

GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is a hugely significant milestone on this journey,

this is only the beginning. Our ambition now is to continue applying the

learnings and build on the blueprint of this shoe in a way that can be rolled

out on an even bigger scale in the future."

Yasuhito Hirota, ASICS CEO said: "ASICS has long believed in the powerful

intrinsic link between sport and the mind. That's why we're so committed to

doing our part to ensure the long-term viability of our planet. That way we can

ensure that future generations can continue to experience the uplifting impact

of sport on the mind. To achieve a sound mind in a sound body, you need a sound

earth to move on, after all. The road ahead maybe long but the GEL-LYTE(TM) III

CM 1.95 is our latest statement of intent on this journey. We hope it can help

inspire real positive change in the sports industry on the way to achieving

net-zero emissions by 2050."

The GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 sneaker will be widely available to buy instore

and online at asics.com from AW 2023.

To find out more about the GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 and ASICS' sustainability

commitments, please visit https://asics.tv/cm195.

About ASICS' Life Cycle Assessment framework

ASICS' Life Cycle Assessment framework was born from joint research with MIT in

2010[4]. Over time, the approach has become increasingly advanced. More aspects

in the value chain are took account and added into the calculation such as the

whole transport process and several aspects of end-of-life. The final output

calculation is externally validated by SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance)

Japan, in accordance with ISO standards.

[4]Elsa Olivetti, Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Associate Professor in

Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and

Randolph Kirchain, Principal Research Scientist, Materials Research Laboratory,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology said: "In reviewing ASICS's latest

research results, we were excited to see that the research collaboration

between ASICS and ourselves, which began more than a decade ago, has led to

such impactful changes in the design and production of the shoe. In response to

that previous study, published in 2012, ASICS has developed innovative ways to

reduce the impact of manufacturing, to use materials more efficiently, and to

substitute new, lower impact materials. Furthermore, we are impressed by the

ways in which ASICS has refined and extended the methods for assessing product

CO2 emissions. ASICS has extended, in both breadth and depth, data collection

pertaining to CO2 assessment. We sincerely hope that this study and its

findings will encourage other firms to begin the journey to understand the

impacts of their products and, therefore, to a more sustainable footwear

industry."

1 Based on a calculation conducted by ASICS and validated by SGS (Societe

Generale de Surveillance) Japan, in accordance with ISO ISO14067 standard in

August 2022.

2 Based on available industry data for life cycle CO2e emissions as of Sep.

2022.

3 New carbon negative foam incorporates a material made from a bio-based

polymer derived partially from sugarcane, called "SEPTON(TM) BIO-series"

manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899913/ASICS_GEL_LYTE_III.jpg

Source: ASICS