Sports brand ASICS has introduced a shoe called Neocurve, which it says it has made from “a blend of unwanted, unused, and newly reclaimed materials”.
Made in Europe, in collaboration with Dutch design house Studio Hagel, the shoe is constructed from ground deadstock and defective shoes. ASICS described the shoe as having “a striking wave design, metallic finish and a colour palette reminiscent of early 2000s techwear”.
It added that the shoe is designed to encourage future recycling and promote the process of product circularity, while still embracing “a design-first approach for everyday use”.
Recycling company Fast Feet Grinded is another partner in the project, disassembling discarded footwear and separating materials for reuse.
Head of circular economy at the footwear brand, Hidetoshi Muraoka, said: “Despite our best efforts to reduce waste some products still end up as unsellable deadstock. This sneaker takes a stand, proving that those materials can have a second life.”