In 2018, Asics surpassed its CO2 emissions reduction targets for 2020, two years earlier than initially planned. CO2 emissions at Asics' facilities, whose initial reduction target was of 5 percent, decreased by 19.2 percent. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions per pair of shoes dropped by 15.9 percent, surpassing the planned reduction of 10 percent. Among other actions to achieve these results, the company increased the use of renewable energy at business facilities to 60 percent or above, and transitioned to 100 percent recycled polyester in shoe uppers and sportswear.
Also last year, Asics launched the Gel-Kayano 25. This shoe uses next-generation sustainable cellulose nanofiber (CNF) instead of fossil fuel based material, in the new Flytefoam Lyte midsole, and that enables a reduction of CO2 emissions from material construction of around 27 percent.
In 2018, Asics also became the first Japanese brand to join the Leather Working Group, a multi-stakeholder group devoted to environmental stewardship in the leather industry.
Finally, Asics was also active in helping community activities and promoting physical activity around the world. In 2018, the company invested about $550,000 in community contributions and donations in kind to various causes around the world. As part of this commitment, Asics became a global charity partner for Right To Play, an organization that uses the power of sport to educate and empower children facing adversity around the world. In addition, to further contribute to a healthy and inclusive society, the company signed an agreement with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) that has made Asics the official IPC supplier through 2020.
The full 2018 Asics Sustainability Report can be found at https://corp.asics.com/en/csr/csr_reporting
