Adidas follows global trend to end use of kangaroo leather in all products

Adidas’ recently announcement that it will stop using kangaroo leather in all of its products. The announcement was made by Bjørn Guldenat, CEO of Adidas, at its annual stockholders meeting in which he confirmed that the company had ceased sourcing kangaroo leather in previous months.

Adidas’ announcement follows a global trend toward ethical and sustainable fashion, where Nike, Puma, New Balance, and Diadora also ended the use of kangaroo leather in its products in recent years.

“This is a monumental win for kangaroos and a powerful example of how advocacy can drive positive change,” Marilyn Kroplick M.D., president and CEO of director for In Defense of Animals, said. “For years, we have urged Adidas and other companies to end the use of kangaroo leather, and today, thanks to the voices of our supporters and allies, that day has finally come.”

The commercial kangaroo hunting industry killed an estimated 2 million kangaroos annually, including mothers and their joeys, according to In Defense of Animals. It is confirmed that while adult kangaroo hides are used for products like soccer cleats, orphaned joeys are “bludgeoned, decapitated, or left to die,” a press release said.

This has left a devastating impact on kangaroo populations, therefore, In Defense of Animals led the charge against Adidas demanding an end to kangaroo leather through numerous calls and 15,451 emails to end leather production and promote sustainable, cruelty-free alternatives.

“Today’s victory is part of a larger movement,” Kroplick said. “People are demanding cruelty-free, sustainable options, and the fashion industry is finally listening. Adidas’ decision demonstrates that compassion and innovation can coexist.”

According to the Center for Human Economy, the killing of kangaroos recently dropped from 2 million to 1.3 million because of investigations, protests, litigation, and international coalition-building that exposed the commercial killing of kangaroos in Australia.

“This win belongs to every advocate who stood outside a store, signed a petition, or raised their voice,” Donny Moss, from TheirTurn, which led in-store protests against Adidas, said. “Together, we are saving millions of animals.”