DENMARK, 29 APRIL 2025 – In partnership with Spinnova, ECCO debuts a newly developed material using breakthrough patented technology that advances material innovation while reducing waste and supporting full resource use across the leather and textile industry.
Six years in development, the protein-based fibre is a material innovation that enables ECCO to transform existing resources into high-performance footwear, without compromising on comfort, quality or design.
The soft and flexible fibre can be spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabrics – through patented technology, by-products typically discarded, burned for energy or composted during leather production, are instead repurposed into durable fibres, giving residual materials an entirely new function and lifespan. Unlike traditional recycling methods that downcycle leather into lower-value applications, this process preserves the natural integrity of the leather fibre, enabling it to perform within a familiar range for textile manufacturing.
The technology is based on mechanical refining rather than chemical dissolving, transforming wet blue shavings – thin layers removed to achieve consistent leather thickness – into continuous filaments that can be cut into textile-grade fibres. The result is a material with tensile strength comparable to wool and elongation at break roughly twice that of cotton enabling versatile use across woven, knitted, and fully fashioned components that reduce production waste.
The limited edition ECCO BIOM® 720 marks the first footwear application of the developed fibre. The drop builds on BIOM®’s biomechanical foundations, supporting natural movement with a precise, close-to-the-ground feel. Powered by ECCO ENCORE TECHNOLOGY, strategically placed outsole vents deliver efficient energy return, breathability and advanced shock absorption, ensuring all-day comfort from the very first wear.
This product launch demonstrates how innovation can transform an overlooked by-product into a valuable new resource. By upcycling leather oZcuts into premium textile fibres, ECCO and Spinnova have unlocked a circular solution that preserves material integrity, reduces waste, and expands the possibilities for next-generation products. With the protein fibre now reaching commercial-ready quality and debuting in ECCO footwear, this milestone marks the transition from promising technology to real-world impact, reshaping how the leather industry thinks about material value and the future of product design.
“Working closely with Spinnova, we’ve explored how new approaches to materials can unlock value from existing resources. By combining our expertise with their pioneering technology, we’re pushing how footwear can be made.” ECCO Thomas Gøgsig, Chief Executive OZicer of ECCO.
“This launch is a meaningful moment for us, as it represents the culmination of over five years of close development work with ECCO. Together, we have shown that leather waste can be transformed into a high-quality textile fibre with commercial relevance, and it is rewarding to now see this innovation become part of a finished product”, says Janne Poranen, Chief Executive Officer of Spinnova Plc.
Limited edition ECCO BIOM® 720 is available from April 29 at ecco.com, and ECCO retail stores in the UK and Germany.
About ECCO
At ECCO, we’ve kept people walking since 1963. ECCO is an iconic brand based on Danish design, quality, and innovative technologies. We create shoes with unique comfort for families around the world. ECCO makes shoes to last. We are a responsible company and manage every aspect of the value chain from leather and shoe production to retail. ECCO is family-owned and employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. ECCO’s products are sold in 98 countries.
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