Nike To Implement New Systems From Bluesign Technologies That Give Suppliers Tools To Reduce Harmful Substances Used In Clothes And Shoes

Nike (NYSE:NKE) plans to improve its process of eliminating hazardous substances from its chemical mixtures by implementing new innovations in production technology.

The world's largest activewear producer announced March 19 that it will adopt two systems invented by and developed by a small Swiss textile innovation group called bluesign technologies. The new systems will give Nike's suppliers sophisticated substance assessment tools.

The bluefinder system enables suppliers to effectively manage restricted substances. They will be able to access prescreened textile preparations such as dye systems, detergents and other chemicals to ensure that safe substances are used to make Nike's clothes and shoes. The blueguide system gives Nike access to more than 30,000 materials produced using bluefinder chemicals after they have met strict standards.

"Nike is committed to catalyzing a major change in the world of materials, driving for the elimination of hazardous substances and innovating new, sustainable materials," said Hannah Jones, Nike's vice president of Sustainable Business and Innovation. "To shift to a palette of entirely sustainable materials, multiple stakeholders must work together to innovate new chemistry, encourage the use and scale of better chemistry, and eliminate harmful chemistry."

In 2001 Nike established a Restricted Substances List that honored laws from multiple countries. Today, Nike is encouraging its partners in the materials industry to develop and supply more sustainable materials.