Resulting from a partnership with Parley for the Oceans an innovative footwear concept was presented in the surroundings of the United Nations headquarters.

 Parley for the Oceans is an organisation working to raise awareness about the state of the oceans and collaborating on projects that can protect and conserve them. At a climate change event held at the United Nations, Parley collaborators presented their visions, initiatives, projects, inventions and solutions.

The UNxParley event included an intimate press gathering where adidas Group Executive Board member responsible for Global Brands Eric Liedtke and Parley for the Oceans founder Cyrill Gutsch talked about the partnership and showcased a unique prototype product. adidas created a shoe upper made entirely of yarns and filaments reclaimed and recycled from ocean waste and illegal deep-sea gillnets. Parley’s partner organisation Sea Shepherd retrieved the nets after a 110-day expedition tracking an illegal poaching vessel, which culminated off the coast of West Africa.

The concept shoe illustrates the direction adidas and Parley for the Oceans are taking, ahead of consumer-ready ocean plastic products being revealed later this year.

Eric Liedtke, who is also a member of the Parley for the Oceans Steering Committee, stated: "We are incredibly excited to join Parley for the Oceans as they bring the cause of the oceans to the attention of the United Nations. adidas has long been a leader in sustainability, but this partnership allows us to tap into new areas and create innovative materials and products for our athletes. We invite everyone to join us on this journey to clean up the oceans."