Herzogenaurach, Germany, February 17, 2022
REBORN TO PERFORM: PUMA INTRODUCES THE FIRST MILE PACK, FOOTBALL BOOTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
Sports company PUMA has made its successful ULTRA 1.3 and the FUTURE 1.2 football boots more sustainable by using recycled materials from its partnership with the First Mile initiative.

The products of the First Mile pack are made with recycled yarn that is manufactured from plastic bottles collected in the First Mile network, which also makes a social impact by strengthening microeconomies in Honduras, Haiti and Taiwan China. PUMA has worked together with First Mile since 2019 but it is the first time, the company has used First Mile’s recycled yarns in football boots.

The collectors in the First Mile network gather plastic bottles, which prevent the bottles from reaching landfills and the world’s oceans. With every purchase of First Mile products people are supporting local opportunities and creating a positive impact by generating jobs and reducing environmental waste.

PUMA utilizes recycled yarns developed from post-consumer plastic collected by First Mile in Taiwan China. The plastic is sorted, cleaned, shredded, spun into yarn and then woven into a stretchy engineered knit to create football boots that play faster but tread a little lighter. 

 

Through its Forever Better sustainability strategy, PUMA has set itself 10 targets to improve its environmental impact. The company plans to make 9 out of its 10 products more sustainable by 2025.

The ULTRA 1.3 contains 21% recycled material in the upper made from post-consumer plastic. Maintaining all performance benefits of the ULTRA 1.3, the lightweight MATRYXEVO technology features recycled Chamatex yarns and First Mile yarns designed for ultimate lightweight speed so you can be at your fastest from the first step. The upper is connected to an internal SPEEDCAGE for lightweight support, keeping your foot locked in so you can be at your most explosive.

The ULTRA features a unique PEBA SpeedUnit outsole for maximum take-off speed, traction and responsiveness at high velocity giving you the platform to produce faster movements all over the pitch. Infused with PUMA running spike DNA, the ULTRA is deadlier than ever. The First Mile ULTRA 1.3 will debut on pitch with Manchester United superstar Raphaël Varane, a strong advocate for sustainable products.

42% of the FUTURE Z 1.2 upper is made up of recycled materials made from post-consumer plastic. The FUTURE’s innovative FUZIONFIT+ compression has been engineered for the ultimate fit, perfectly wrapping around the foot for maximum comfort and responsiveness so you can make explosive cuts and directional changes at your top speed. 

 

The recycled upper combines with a recycled Dynamic Motion System outsole, a specially crafted plate for explosive agility, extreme traction and multi directional movement. All linings, foams and vamps use recycled materials, making this the most sustainable FUTURE ever. The FUTURE Z 1.2 First Mile edition will be worn by Manchester City star Vicky Losada.

“With this pack, we introduce First Mile recycled yarn into our football boots for the first time,” said Dominique Gathier, Senior Head of Product Line Management Teamsport Footwear. “The project is very important to PUMA as we continue to utilize more recycled and sustainable materials in football products. We have already launched First Mile collections with our Licensed clubs AC Milan and Manchester City, so we are very happy to launch footwear through the initiative. This is the first step as we move toward more sustainable footwear products without impacting the high-level performance benefits of our signature silos.”

“First Mile is proud to partner with PUMA to clean up the environment and to improve the livelihoods of our waste collectors in Taiwan China,” said Jeff Wang, First Mile Taiwan China Impact Manager. “We are thrilled to have been able to transform trash into a high performing football boot that will be used at the highest level of the game. For our collectors to see the value their collected waste materials have on a global stage has brought immense pride to their work.”

The First Mile pack featuring recycled editions of the ULTRA 1.3 and the FUTURE 1.2 will be available from February 17th at PUMA.com, PUMA stores and select retailers worldwide.

To learn more about the PUMA x First Mile initiative please visit here