Adidas has set a target that by the end of 2016, 75 per cent of all dyes used in its apparel will be approved by Bluesign. Bluesign is a Switzerland-based certification company that applies standards for textile product manufacture and use of hazardous substances.

The apparel and footwear brand aims to have 30 per cent of all auxiliary chemicals used in apparel approved by Bluesign. Auxiliaries are substances used to support the production process, but which do not add a function to the product.

Adidas surpassed its 2015 goals, which were set at 50 per cent of all dyes and 10 per cent of auxiliary chemicals approved by Bluesign. By the end of the year 65 per cent of dyes and 30 per cent auxiliary chemicals had been approved.

To help achieve its target of eliminating all polyfluoro carbons by 2017, it has been working with chemical companies to explore formulations which are still in an R&D phase. In total, more than 8,400 lab tests were conducted and 43 wear tests were performed in a sporting environment.

Meanwhile the company has met its target of phasing out plastic micro beads from its body care products. This was in response to criticism that some of the company’s products contained micro beads.

www.adidas-group.com/