After New Balance released their 3D printed MS066 sneakers this week, Adidas is out with its 3D printed sneakers. These Ultra Boost Uncaged Parley Sneakers from Adidas are made from recycled plastic and are manufactured using 3D printing technologies.

Adidas teamed up with Parley about a year ago to create a shoe made from recycled ocean plastic. The Adidas 3D printed Futurecraft Midsole was the direct result of this collaboration. These shoes were not exactly for the retail market and just marked a stepping stone towards the goal of recycled sustainable footwear.

The UltraBoost Uncaged Parley line of sneakers from Adidas will be retailed at $200 and will be available in the market from the next month. The first lot of 7000 pairs are ready for the retail counters. The company hopes to manufacture approximately one million pairs by the end of the year.

The UltraBoost sneakers have laces, heel webbing, heel cap, and socks liner, along with the Primeknit which is made from recycled plastic materials from the coastal Maldives region. Each pair of the sneakers has approximately 11 bottles of plastic. The company is making huge efforts in this direction and if it is further successful, they might totally eliminate usage of virgin plastic. Not only will this be a noble move, it will also set a precedent for the fashion and retail industry.

Adidas is also introducing soccer kits manufactured using recycled ocean plastic. Items of these kits will be worn by the Bayern Munich or Real Madrid players, on November 5th and November 26th, at their events. Though it is difficult to make an entire pair of shoes using 3D printing, Adidas is combining 3D printing with recycling materials to create sustainable footwear which can be worn by people around the globe.

Source: 3ders.org