Adidas silently withdraws from the kangaroo leather market

In a significant step forward for animal welfare and corporate responsibility, Adidas has announced it will end the use of kangaroo leather in its products by 2025. This decision follows an in-person petition from Wayne Pacelle, President of the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action, during Adidas' annual general meeting in Fürth, Germany.

The move by Adidas is a historic milestone, according to Jennifer Skiff, Director of International Programs at the Center for a Humane Economy. "Adidas' decision is a testament to the power of consumer advocacy and corporate accountability," Skiff said.

The U.S. has the world's largest economy for kangaroo products, with the mass killing of kangaroos driven by exports for kangaroo skins, as stated by Wayne Pacelle. Pacelle's organization, the Center for a Humane Economy, continues to track multiple fashion companies that use kangaroo leather, including Athleta, L.L. Bean, and Lucchese.

Pacelle's organization plans to intensify efforts to end the trade of kangaroo skins by securing similar pledges from athleticwear brands ASICS and Mizuno. Notably, Puma, Diadora, Sokito, Nike, and New Balance have already ended the use of kangaroo leather.

With Adidas exiting the trade, the world's top five athletic shoe brands have stopped sourcing kangaroo skins. This development has been applauded by Emma Hurst, a member of Parliament representing the state of New South Wales in Australia and a member of the country's Animal Justice Party. Hurst stated that Adidas joining its competitors in ending the use of kangaroo leather is a win for animals, transparency, ethics, and global consumer expectations.

In response to Adidas' announcement, Hurst said, "This is a significant step forward in the global movement to end the cruel and unnecessary trade in kangaroo skins. It sends a clear message that the use of kangaroo leather is unacceptable in the 21st century."

A new bill, the Kangaroo Protection Act of 2025, has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to ban commercial imports, sales, and manufacturing of kangaroo products. The bill, sponsored by U.S. Senators, aims to put an end to the trade in kangaroo skins once and for all.

The Adidas news was described as "thrilling" by Wayne Pacelle, who also noted that the previously introduced bill to ban the use of kangaroo leather in the U.S. Senate died in committee and has not been introduced for the 2025 legislative session. Despite this setback, Pacelle remains optimistic about the future of kangaroo protection in the United States.

Adidas' Copa Mundial soccer cleats have historically been made using kangaroo skin. The company's decision to end the use of kangaroo leather marks a significant shift in the athletic footwear industry and sets a positive example for other companies to follow.