resuede
A PUMA experiment in biodegradability
Explore the journey
The results
Play
PUMA RE:SUEDE project turns experimental sneakers into compost
The RE:SUEDEs are here
Play
Take a look as we prep and pack them for the next step.
This is just the beginning
Play
Watch Heiko Desens, Global Creative Director & Innovation, talk about PUMA’s experiment in biodegradability
The Intro
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FROM SNEAKERS TO COMPOST – HERE’S THE AMBITION.
THE
MATERIALS
Every element of the shoe has been designed for user comfort and with the aim of biodegradability. The RE:SUEDE experiment will put this to the test.
ZEOLOGY SUEDE
The upper is made of zeology-tanned suede, this process produces less pollution, increases the circularity of the leather and ensures better comfort for the wearer.
BIODEGRADABLE TPE
The outsole is made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), which performs like rubber and is certified biodegradable.
Hemp
The padding, sock-liner filler, and laces are created from hemp (bast fibre).
Cotton
The lining and sock-liner cover comprise 45% cotton and 55% hemp.
ZEOLOGY SUEDE
The upper is made of zeology-tanned suede, this process produces less pollution, increases the circularity of the leather and ensures better comfort for the wearer.
BIODEGRADABLE TPE
The outsole is made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), which performs like rubber and is certified biodegradable.
Hemp
The padding, sock-liner filler, and laces are created from hemp (bast fibre).
Cotton
The lining and sock-liner cover comprise 45% cotton and 55% hemp.
THE PROCESS
01
RE:SUEDE
Applications to join RE:SUEDE are now closed. But those who were selected to be part of RE:SUEDE will receive a free pair of sneakers to wear and love for six months. These RE:SUEDEs are being designed for style and comfort – and they will feature PUMA’s latest innovative materials.
02
RETURN
After six months, PUMA will ask participants to return their RE:SUEDE sneakers. This is an essential part of the experiment. The Circular Lab team will then assess the feedback from the testers and take the used products to the next phase of the experiment.
03
REGRIND
The biodegradation process begins. At Ortessa, an industrial composting facility in the Netherlands, the RE:SUEDE materials will be exposed to bacteria and natural composting agents. The ambition is to produce Grade A compost.
04
RESULTS
Which materials composted well? Which need more research? The results of the RE:SUEDE experiment will help PUMA tackle waste management and plan its next steps in circularity.

Thank you for your interest in RE:SUEDE.
FAQ

WANT TO

KNOW MORE?

What is RE:SUEDE?
A PUMA experiment in biodegradability.

RE:SUEDE is an experimental version of the iconic Suede sneaker, created using more sustainable materials.

500 participants have been asked to wear and love their RE:SUEDEs for six months before returning them to PUMA to test the footwear’s biodegradability.
Where are RE:SUEDE sneakers produced?
Materials are sourced from Italy, China, Thailand and Vietnam. The RE:SUEDE sneakers are stitched and assembled in Romania.
How were RE:SUEDE participants chosen?
Entrance was only open to those living in Germany. Their applications were entered into a sweepstake draw.

Anyone can still sign up for exclusive RE:SUEDE content through our newsletter, where PUMA will share progress and behind-the-scenes stories.
Can I buy RE:SUEDE sneakers?
No. RE:SUEDE is not available on the market yet and as this is an exclusive experiment, RE:SUEDEs will only be available to participants.
If I was chosen as a participant, do I have to return the sneakers?
Yes. This step is essential to help PUMA test the biodegradability of the RE:SUEDE materials. Once PUMA receives your worn RE:SUEDEs, you’ll receive a new pair of sneakers as a thank you.
How are the RE:SUEDEs returned to PUMA?
Participants received a pre-paid parcel return label with their RE:SUEDEs. They will use this label to return their sneakers.
Could I compost RE:SUEDEs in my garden?
No. The RE:SUEDE experiment is using materials that will biodegrade under controlled, industrial composting conditions. PUMA has partnered with Ortessa in an industry experiment, so that every step of the composting process can be carefully measured.
Why is PUMA focusing on the afterlife of its footwear?
PUMA takes responsibility for helping create a better future for all. This includes its products and their afterlife. RE:SUEDE is PUMA’s experiment in biodegradability, to see if there are better ways to safely dispose of more sustainable materials.
What is biodegradation?
Biodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms.
What happens after the sneakers have biodegraded?
Ortessa, a waste management and processing specialist and PUMA’s partner in this experiment, will test if the biodegraded materials will produce Grade A compost for agricultural use. Ortessa will ensure that all laws and regulations are adhered to for compost use.
What is Grade A compost?
Grade A compost is used for farming food (“C” is for flower growth, “B” is for animal fodderand grass).
How do I stay up-to-date with RE:SUEDE?
You can sign up for the latest news and behind-the-scenes progress here.
If you want to know more, reach out here: RESUEDE@puma.com
FOLLOW RE:SUEDE
We’re inviting 500 people from across Germany to join us in the RE:SUEDE experiment.
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Germany
Germany
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If you are chosen via sweepstake to take part in the RE:SUEDE experiment but we are unable to reach you via email, we would like to contact you via phone.
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Entering your age is required to verify your legal capacity. The minimum age to participate in RE:SUEDE is 16 years.
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Please list your residency to help us learn more about the regions with interest in the RE:SUEDE.
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Afghanistan
Åland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, The Democratic Republic of The
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote D'ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City State)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran, Islamic Republic of
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
Moldova, Republic of
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory, Occupied
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan, Province of China
Tajikistan
Tanzania, United Republic of
Thailand
Timor-leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.S.
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Please list your residency to help us learn more about the regions with interest in the RE:SUEDE.
Afghanistan
Åland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, The Democratic Republic of The
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote D'ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands
Holy See (Vatican City State)
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran, Islamic Republic of
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
Moldova, Republic of
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory, Occupied
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan, Province of China
Tajikistan
Tanzania, United Republic of
Thailand
Timor-leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.S.
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
This field is required
Entering your age is required to verify your legal capacity. The minimum age to participate in RE:SUEDE is 16 years.
Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
This field is required
All fields marked with a (*) are mandatory.
PLEASE CHeck your ENTRY details and confirm BELOW
First name
Last name
Country
E-Mail
Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)