VF Corp. announced that several of its brands are releasing new product collections this year that take advantage of regeneratively-sourced natural rubber, made possible through VF’s pilot program in Thailand with Terra Genesis, a regenerative design and development firm connecting brands with growers.
“Regenerative agriculture” encompasses a variety of environmentally and socially conscious practices which aim to help support biodiversity, enhance water cycles, improve soil health and sequester carbon. This approach not only changes growing practices and helps improve the lives of farmers, but it also helps replenish and strengthen the soil, plants and the surrounding nature.
Terra Genesis has developed the first of its kind Regenerative Outcome Verified – ROV™ rubber supply system. Following a three-year pilot program sponsored by VF, Terra Genesis collaborated with a network of farming communities in Thailand to scale up the production of regeneratively sourced natural rubber for use within VF’s supply chain.
Already on the market: Timberland and Vans footwear with ReGen rubber soles
On Feb. 2, Timberland launched its first product featuring regeneratively grown natural rubber, the Greenstride™ Motion 6 Hiker. Designed for six ways of motion, this boot features outsoles made with 55 percent regeneratively grown rubber. In late March, as part of its 50th anniversary activations, the brand featured regeneratively grown natural rubber in the highly anticipated Timberland x Edison Chen Future73 Timberloop 6-Inch Boot, which also includes outsoles made with 55 percent regeneratively grown rubber. Mentioned are just two of more than 120 styles that will utilize regenerative rubber in 2023 from Timberland.
“We began our regenerative sourcing journey in 2020 with leather, followed by cotton in 2021. We’re incredibly excited to expand into rubber, one of our top materials,” said Meredith Lipnick, senior manager of eEnvironmental stewardship for Timberland. “The work Terra Genesis is doing is critical, in terms of not only environmental benefits but also supporting the farmers who are so passionate about their land, livelihoods and communities.”
Vans is utilizing regeneratively grown natural rubber in its Circle Vee™ silhouette, which launched on March 1, 2023. All of the rubber used to make the Circle Vee’s VR3Waffle™ outsole (60 percent of the compound) is regeneratively grown natural rubber. In addition, this season, Vans will utilize regenerative rubber in the VR3Waffle™ outsole across an even broader VR3 collection of approximately 80 SKUs and more than 500,000 pairs of shoes.
Coming this fall: The North Face footwear
In the fall of 2023, The North Face (TNF) will launch its first footwear products containing rubber from these diversified rubber farms. The rubber will be incorporated into most of the brand’s Surface CTRL™ outsoles, making up 10 percent of the outsole in all but three shoe models that use them, including popular styles such as the Back-to-Berkeley boot, Hedgehog hiking boots and new Summit Vectiv Pro.
“Through our relationship with Terra Genesis, we are able to help support farming systems that can provide biodiversity benefits and promote increased soil health,” said Carol Shu, senior manager of global sustainability for TNF. “Additionally, we can utilize this rubber in our Surface CTRL™ outsoles without compromising the traction performance on demanding terrains. We believe using regeneratively grown materials in our products can help to move the retail industry beyond just ‘doing less bad’ into a space of having a more positive impact on nature and resources.”
More ReGen materials in the pipeline
Rubber is just one of the materials already on its way to becoming sourced from farms or ranches using regenerative agriculture practices. VF also has pilot programs underway to work towards regeneratively-cultivated wool, cotton and leather. In the meantime, the company will continue to explore opportunities with suppliers who are honing their sustainable agricultural practices.
“As part of our Science Based Targets roadmap, our vision is that our top nine materials shall originate from regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable, or recycled sources. While transitioning to regenerative is a continual process, the farms we’re working with are already realizing the positive benefits, and will ultimately help us achieve this goal,” said Jeannie Renné Malone, the company’s VP of global sustainability. “We’re proud to work with Terra Genesis and this grower community, which is continually refining their farming practices to reduce their impact on our planet.”
To help assess regenerative agriculture programs and their participating producers, VF Corp is creating a Regenerative Framework of Guidelines with the help of a consultant, Pure Strategies, covering a variety of farming practices, including those around rubber as a part of tree crop and agroforestry.
By creating relationships with farmers, ranchers, and growers that are on the road to achieving regenerative practices and verified outcomes, VF is working to build sustainable supply chains that will benefit the apparel and footwear industry and beyond. This effort is consistent with the company’s mission to promote sustainable lifestyles for the betterment of people and the planet.
You can read more about ReGenerative Agriculture in our Sustainability Special 2022, especially in Charles Ross’ article ”ReGenerative Agriculture: A way for clothing to exchange its bad reputation for a force for good?”
