Decathlon, a sports goods retailer, will be investing in startup Recyc’Elit through its Decathlon Alliances structure. Recyc’Elit, established in 2019 in France, has developed a method for recycling complex polyester-based materials by sorting the fibers and is now focusing on industrializing this innovation.
Recycl’Elit is set to construct a prototype by 2025, focusing on recycling complex textiles like polyester. Decathlon values this partnership to create recycled products. Decathlon plans to purchase recycled polyester from Recycl’Elit to stay competitive in the textile recycling industry and maintain its place in the value chain.
A long-term business relationship has been formed, according to Decathlon, and it will include “the creation of a value chain with Recyc’Elit and all committed partners wishing to become involved in this process,” besides the production of capsule collections.
In October 2023, the start-up was granted €3.2 million by Demeter via the Crédit Agricole Création, business angels, the Fonds d’Amorçage Industriel Métropolitain (FAIM) Lyon – Saint Etienne, Banque des Territoires, and the French government on behalf of France 2030.
In terms of sustainability, Barbara Martin Coppola, CEO of Decathlon highlighted in her “North Star” business plan, which was revealed in March.
It also entails a redesigned shop layout, a more condensed portfolio of its brands, and a new visual identity.
The chain, which has 1,700 stores, brought in €15.6 billion in sales globally in 2023 (+1.15 percent) and made €931 million in net profit (+0.9 percent).
