RMIT to help adidas in sustainable manufacturing

10 Jan '11

2 min read

RMIT University has signed a $US 207,000 research contract with global sporting giant adidas, as part of a partnership working to advance the sustainable manufacturing of sports shoes and clothing in Asia.

A multi-disciplinary research team led by Professor Aleksandar Subic, Head of RMIT's School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, will work to identify the sustainable manufacturing capabilities and requirements of the adidas Group's suppliers in Indonesia and establish a series of improvement projects.

Professor Subic said the research aimed to generate new knowledge and practices in the manufacturing of sports footwear and apparel to ensure the ongoing competitiveness and leadership of the adidas Group's suppliers internationally.

“This research project has enabled RMIT and the adidas Group to establish an Asia-Pacific partnership in sustainable manufacturing,” he said.

“Our objective is to assist our partner adidas to achieve excellence in sustainable manufacturing of sports apparel and footwear across the entire supply chain, starting with Indonesia in the first phase of the project.”

The Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative (SMI) will bring together RMIT researchers in sports technology, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable development, sustainable energy, supply chain management and textiles.

The research will be conducted in two phases: the first focusing on suppliers in Indonesia, the second involving a series of improvement projects aimed at building supplier excellence and implementing new sustainability strategies.

William Anderson, Head of Social and Environmental Affairs, Asia Pacific, for the adidas Group, said: “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.

“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.”

The establishment of a regional Sustainable Manufacturing Institute or standardised training for manufacturing operations in Indonesia, China and Vietnam will be considered in a final phase of the project, envisaged in the partnership agreement.

“This agreement further solidifies RMIT's research capabilities in sports engineering and continues to build upon the vision for global engagement and research in sustainable manufacturing and other associated areas,” Professor Subic said.

RMIT University

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