Japanese outdoor apparel company Goldwin Inc. has partnered with Finland-based energy company Neste, Japanese petrochemical producer Idemitsu Kosan, and fiber manufacturer Toray Industries to establish a renewable nylon supply chain for The North Face products in Japan.
The initiative aims to replace fossil-based raw materials with renewable alternatives in nylon production. Products made through the new supply chain are expected to reach retail stores in August 2026.
According to the companies, Neste will supply Neste RE, a renewable naphtha produced from ISCC-certified bio-based feedstocks such as used cooking oil and other waste and residue materials. The renewable feedstock will be processed through the supply chain to produce nylon fiber for apparel applications.
Goldwin is the official Japanese licensee of The North Face and will use the renewable nylon in selected outerwear products. The partnership represents a collaborative effort across the chemical, fiber, and apparel value chain to reduce dependence on virgin fossil resources.
Japanese trading company Mitsubishi Corporation coordinated the consortium and helped connect the partners involved in the project.
The development reflects a growing industry focus on renewable and recycled materials as brands work to lower the environmental impact of synthetic fibers. Nylon remains one of the most widely used materials in outdoor and performance apparel due to its durability and strength, but conventional nylon production relies heavily on fossil-based feedstocks.
By introducing renewable raw materials into the production process, the partners aim to support carbon reduction efforts while maintaining material performance standards required for outdoor products.
The initiative also highlights increasing collaboration between raw material suppliers, chemical companies, fiber producers, and brands to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable textile solutions.
