Canadian sportswear brand Lululemon has teamed up with California-based biotechnology firm ZymoChem to advance the use of bio-based nylon, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable innovation. This collaboration focuses on developing a renewable alternative to adipic acid, a petroleum-derived component essential for producing nylon 6,6—widely used in Lululemon’s popular Align and Wunder Train leggings.
The partnership began last year when Lululemon participated in ZymoChem’s $21 million Series A funding round, alongside Toyota Ventures. Moving forward, both companies will work to scale ZymoChem’s technology, accelerating the commercialisation of bio-based nylon 6,6.
Yogendra Dandapure, Vice President of Raw Materials Innovation at Lululemon, underscored the importance of this development: “What truly sets ZymoChem apart is its groundbreaking technology, which is capable of producing a bio-based material to create sustainable nylon 6,6 that provides the same look, feel, and quality expected from our high-performance products. By continuing to expand our partnerships with forward-thinking leaders like ZymoChem, we are creating multiple pathways to transition to sustainable materials across our product portfolio.”
ZymoChem’s Co-founder and CEO, Harshal Chokhawala, highlighted the broader impact: “We spent years refining our patented Carbon Conserving process with a vision to develop a sustainable version of nylon. We are thrilled to have deepened our engagement with Lululemon, setting the stage for our technologies to deliver bio-based and decarbonised nylon on a global scale.”
This initiative complements Lululemon’s ongoing partnerships with sustainable material innovators, including Geno, which is developing alternative bio-nylon solutions. The brand has also collaborated with Australian environmental tech startup Samsara Eco to launch the first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product, showcasing the potential of textile-to-textile recycling.
Lululemon’s sustainability efforts align with its broader strategy to integrate preferred materials and circular solutions into its product lifecycle. In December, the company reported a 9% year-on-year increase in net revenue for Q3 FY2024, driven by strong domestic and international growth.
Through this collaboration, Lululemon reinforces its leadership in sustainable innovation within the sportswear industry. By investing in bio-based and circular solutions, the brand is not only reducing its environmental impact but also setting new standards for high-performance, eco-friendly apparel. As it expands partnerships and scales these cutting-edge technologies, Lululemon moves closer to a future where premium activewear and sustainability go hand in hand.
