On March 19, lululemon announced a multi-year partnership with ZymoChem, a biotechnology pioneer based in San Leandro, California, to help the company expand the use of bio-based nylon and enhance its leadership in sustainable innovation. lululemon and ZymoChem will jointly and sustainably transform the key components of nylon 6,6, which is the base material for many of lululemon's iconic products, including the Align and Wunder Train leggings.

lululemon's collaboration with ZymoChem began last year, with initial investment aimed at supporting innovative technology to develop bio-based adipic acid—one of the key chemical components of nylon 6,6, traditionally produced from petroleum. The next phase of this collaboration will focus on scaling up ZymoChem's technology to support the commercialization of this bio-based alternative.

lululemon Vice President of Raw Material Innovation Yogendra Dandapure said, "What truly sets ZymoChem apart is its groundbreaking technology capable of producing bio-based materials for the manufacture of sustainable nylon 6,6, while maintaining the look, feel, and quality expected of our high-performance products. By continuing to expand our collaboration with forward-thinking leaders like ZymoChem, we are creating multiple pathways for the transition of our entire product portfolio to sustainable materials."

This collaboration builds on lululemon's work with other sustainable materials leaders, including Geno, to promote lower-impact bio-based nylon alternatives. Additionally, last year, lululemon and Australian environmental technology startup Samsara Eco launched the world's first enzymatically recycled nylon 6,6 product, proving that this high-quality, complex fiber can be recycled from textiles to textiles. This moment not only marks a milestone for the industry but also strengthens the power of collaboration in driving change.

The collaboration between lululemon and ZymoChem marks an important step in the company's journey to develop more products using preferred materials and end solutions. By combining expertise in bio-based technology and raw materials, ZymoChem and lululemon will help pave the way for more sustainable high-performance apparel.

ZymoChem co-founder and CEO Harshal Chokhawala said: "We have spent years perfecting our patented 'carbon-conserving' process, with the vision of developing sustainable nylon. We are very excited to deepen our cooperation with lululemon, laying the foundation for our technology to provide bio-based and decarbonized nylon on a global scale."

By continuously expanding its partner portfolio, lululemon is advancing the regenerative and circular innovation of a series of materials, from bio-based nylon 6 and 6,6 to the "textile-to-textile" recycling cycle of polyester and nylon. lululemon is committed to finding next-generation solutions, pushing the boundaries of performance and material science, and leading the future of sustainable textiles.