- The GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is the result of over 10 years' research and 
development by ASICS to reduce emissions across all stages of the product 
lifecycle.
- Significantly lighter than the lowest CO2e sneakers currently available on 
the market[2], the GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is a major leap forward by ASICS in 
its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Key innovations within the sneaker, including a new carbon negative foam, 
combine to improve sustainability without compromising on quality.
- The GEL-LYTE(TM)  III CM 1.95 and new technologies will roll out globally in 
AW23.

ASICS is today launching the new GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 sneaker. Emitting 
just 1.95kg CO2e across its life cycle, significantly lighter than the lowest 
CO2e sneakers currently available on the market, it represents a significant 
leap forward by ASICS in its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
 
The GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is the result of over 10 years of research and 
development by ASICS, beginning when ASICS first partnered with the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) back in 2010 to find a better way 
to accurately measure the CO2e impact across the entire life cycle of a product.

In continuing to finetune its research and reapply the findings, ASICS has been 
able to make hundreds of incremental gains across the four key stages of the 
product life cycle (Materials & Manufacturing, Transportation, Use and 
End-of-life), identifying all the small differences that combine to make a big 
impact.
 The result is the GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 - achieving new levels of 
sustainability without compromising on quality.

Among the sneaker's series of innovations is a new carbon negative foam, which 
features as part of its midsole and sockliner. Made from a fusion of bio-based 
polymers[3] derived partly from sugarcane, these combine to deliver high-level 
comfort and quality in a sustainable way.

Other key design details in the shoe include the use of recycled and solution 
dyed polyester in the main upper material and the sockliner mesh, reflecting 
ASICS' target of sourcing 100% of its polyester from recycled sources by 2030. 
 The shoe features a new structure utilizing tape that enables less material 
usage,  and 100% renewable energy  used throughout the manufacturing phase.
The result of all these innovations and changes coming together is the 
GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95. The ground-breaking new sneaker is a milestone in 
ASICS' long-term ambition of achieving net-zero emissions as a business by 
2050, helping conserve the ability of future generations to continue 
experiencing the uplifting power of sport on the mind.

Minako Yoshikawa, Senior General Manager, ASICS Sustainability Division said: 
"At ASICS we have long been committed to exploring and testing more sustainable 
methods through our value chain to reduce our impact on the planet. While the 
GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 is a hugely significant milestone on this journey, 
this is only the beginning. Our ambition now is to continue applying the 
learnings and build on the blueprint of this shoe in a way that can be rolled 
out on an even bigger scale in the future."

Yasuhito Hirota, ASICS CEO said: "ASICS has long believed in the powerful 
intrinsic link between sport and the mind. That's why we're so committed to 
doing our part to ensure the long-term viability of our planet. That way we can 
ensure that future generations can continue to experience the uplifting impact 
of sport on the mind. To achieve a sound mind in a sound body, you need a sound 
earth to move on, after all. The road ahead maybe long but the GEL-LYTE(TM) III 
CM 1.95 is our latest statement of intent on this journey. We hope it can help 
inspire real positive change in the sports industry on the way to achieving 
net-zero emissions by 2050."

The GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 sneaker will be widely available to buy instore 
and online at asics.com from AW 2023.

To find out more about the GEL-LYTE(TM) III CM 1.95 and ASICS' sustainability 
commitments, please visit https://asics.tv/cm195.

About ASICS' Life Cycle Assessment framework
ASICS' Life Cycle Assessment framework was born from joint research with MIT in 
2010[4]. Over time, the approach has become increasingly advanced. More aspects 
in the value chain are took account and added into the calculation such as the 
whole transport process and several aspects of end-of-life. The final output 
calculation is externally validated by SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance) 
Japan, in accordance with ISO standards.

[4]Elsa Olivetti, Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Associate Professor in 
Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and 
Randolph Kirchain, Principal Research Scientist, Materials Research Laboratory, 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology said: "In reviewing ASICS's latest 
research results, we were excited to see that the research collaboration 
between ASICS and ourselves, which began more than a decade ago, has led to 
such impactful changes in the design and production of the shoe. In response to 
that previous study, published in 2012, ASICS has developed innovative ways to 
reduce the impact of manufacturing, to use materials more efficiently, and to 
substitute new, lower impact materials. Furthermore, we are impressed by the 
ways in which ASICS has refined and extended the methods for assessing product 
CO2 emissions. ASICS has extended, in both breadth and depth, data collection 
pertaining to CO2 assessment. We sincerely hope that this study and its 
findings will encourage other firms to begin the journey to understand the 
impacts of their products and, therefore, to a more sustainable footwear 
industry."

1 Based on a calculation conducted by ASICS and validated by SGS (Societe 
Generale de Surveillance) Japan, in accordance with ISO ISO14067 standard in 
August 2022.
2 Based on available industry data for life cycle CO2e emissions as of Sep. 
2022.
3 New carbon negative foam incorporates a material made from a bio-based 
polymer derived partially from sugarcane, called "SEPTON(TM) BIO-series" 
manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1899913/ASICS_GEL_LYTE_III.jpg
 
Source: ASICS