Gap Inc. to leverage recycled materials in Athleta goods
Gap Inc. is increasing the sustainability of products in its Athleta performance apparel brand.
The specialty apparel retailer, which operates the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta banners, is partnering with circular fashion technology provider Ambercycle to utilize textile-to-textile recycled materials in Athleta products.
Specifically, Gap intends for Athlerta to become the first performance apparel brand to use Ambercycle Cycora regenerated polyester at scale, beginning in 2026. Cycora is a high-performance material created from end-of-life textiles that is designed to replaces conventional polyester.
Ambercycle's proprietary molecular regeneration technology uses discarded polyester as feedstock in the production of Cycora while reducing industry greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on landfilling or incinerating end-of-life textiles.
Athleta is undertaking this project on the heels of its net sales falling 18% to $279 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023, down 18% compared to the prior year. Comp sales were down 19%. Gap said that Athleta’s sales in the quarter continued to be challenged as the brand lapped last year’s elevated discount levels and it works to re-engage its core customer through better product and brand right marketing.
"Gap Inc. is committed to evolving our supply chain and product development process in ways that help us deliver innovative products for our customers while reducing our environmental footprint," said Dan Fibiger, head of global sustainability at Gap Inc.
"Ambercycle's groundbreaking technology for transforming end-of-life textiles into new materials not only enables a more sustainable supply of high-performance fabrics, but it has the potential to cut waste and emissions and has the potential to advance circularity at scale," Fibiger said.
"As a mission-driven, B Corp-certified brand, Athleta is committed to reducing our environmental footprint by using recycled materials like Cycora, which not only aligns with our values but also meets our uncompromising quality standards," said Athleta CEO Chris Blakeslee.
"As the demand for circular materials rises, we are delighted to collaborate with like-minded brands in the performance sector, such as Athleta," said Shay Sethi, CEO of Ambercycle. "Together, we are not only creating high-quality garments but also driving forward the circular fashion movement."
San Francisco-based Gap Inc. ended the quarter with 3,533 store locations in over 40 countries, of which 2,598 were company operated.Athleta apparel is available at its more than 250 retail stores across the United States and Canada and at Athleta.com.