Toyoda Gosei and ASICS Partner to Create Sneakers from Steering Wheel Leather Waste

In an effort to promote sustainability and reduce waste, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has collaborated with ASICS Corporation to develop the SKYHAND™ OG sneakers, crafted from leather remnants produced during the manufacturing of steering wheels. These environmentally conscious sneakers will be available on the ASICS online store starting February 1, 2025.

Toyoda Gosei, known for its commitment to minimizing industrial waste, has been utilizing discarded materials to create new products under its Re-S ethical brand. The company transforms challenging-to-recycle materials, such as airbag fabric and steering wheel leather remnants, into functional items like bags and pen cases. Similarly, ASICS has been actively incorporating recycled materials into its sportswear and footwear lines, making this partnership a natural alignment of shared sustainability goals.

This latest project represents the second collaboration between the two companies. In January 2023, they introduced sneakers made from surplus airbag fabric. Building on this earlier initiative, the current collaboration utilizes original techniques to make use of small leather scraps by combining them into patchwork designs. These scraps, generated at Toyoda Gosei’s factory in Vietnam during the punching process for steering wheels, are repurposed into the sneakers, which are also manufactured in Vietnam. This approach not only reduces waste but also helps lower carbon emissions by minimizing the need for long-distance transportation of materials.

The project reflects a broader effort by both companies to contribute to a sustainable society through innovative, cross-industry collaborations. By focusing on upcycling materials that would otherwise be discarded, Toyoda Gosei and ASICS demonstrate how industrial byproducts can be reimagined into new, functional products.

The SKYHAND™ OG sneakers are an example of how businesses can work together to find practical solutions for global environmental challenges. With this partnership, Toyoda Gosei and ASICS continue to highlight the potential of reducing waste through creative manufacturing techniques and sustainable practices.