Adidas invests in Australian research capability21 March 2012Australian researchers have teamed up with global sportswear company, Adidas, to develop sustainable manufacturing practices for the company’s global supply chain. As part of a US$207,000 research partnership, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) will help Adidas achieve sustainable manufacturing excellence across its international sports apparel and footwear business. With an initial focus on Adidas’ manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, researchers at RMIT will investigate trends in sport technology and methods to reduce energy consumption, water use, and waste in the company’s global supply chain. The project is expected to culminate in the establishment of a regional Sustainable Manufacturing Institute for Adidas manufacturing operations in Indonesia, China and Vietnam. RMIT beat an impressive field of global organisations to secure the partnership and the head of Social and Environmental Affairs - Asia Pacific at Adidas, William Anderson, says the Australian university is well positioned to contribute to Research and Development in the Asia Pacific region. “RMIT was appointed following a global search for an institution which would be best placed to support Adidas Group in our drive to improve sustainability in our supply chain,” Mr Anderson said. “RMIT secured this assignment based on their strengths in engineering, depth of understanding of sustainable manufacturing processes and their ongoing commitment to education in the region, which is exemplified by their Vietnam campuses.” More information |