Act

The carbon balance for all of DECATHLON’s activities (the first was conducted in 2012) shows that the biggest impact is linked to product manufacturing, with key issues in terms of raw materials and the production phase, which alone account for 73% of DECATHLON’s global CO₂ emissions.
DECATHLON design teams have established a rigorous framework to define this strategy. The products concerned must fulfil and prove certain highly specific design execution methods.

Ecodesign in raw materials
Ecodesign in dyeing
Ecodesign through reparability

Ecodesign in
raw materials

Recycled
polyester

Polyester is a recovered material, transformed using production waste or production destined to be disposed of, and avoiding the use of new oil-derived resources. To qualify as Ecodesign, recycled polyester must be used, with a minimum content of 70% in the main fabric.
DECATHLON is committed to using 100% polyester from more sustainable sources (recycled, solution-dyed). On 31 December 2021, this percentage was at 40.

Recycled
plastic

Using recycled plastic means recovering and transforming production waste or production destined to be disposed of, instead of using new oil-based resources. All while retaining the product’s durability and quality. At DECATHLON, to qualify as Ecodesign, product must be composed by minimum 40% of recycled plastic (like polypropylene or polyethylene for example).

Recycled
cotton

The use of recycled cotton is a promising solution, as it does not require new cotton growth. However, it can only be used at a maximum content of 30 to 40%, as recycled fibres are shorter and need to be blended with virgin cotton.
At DECATHLON, to qualify as “Ecodesign” using this technique, the main fabric must comprise at least 28% recycled cotton.

Organic
cotton

Organic cotton has been grown without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides or GMOs, which reduces the risk of ground and water table pollution. Thanks to more judicious environmental practices, this production method can be used to better manage cotton farming.
At DECATHLON, to qualify as an eco-design product using this technique, the main component must comprise over 90% organic cotton.

Find out more
about cotton supplies
at DECATHLON

A few product examples

Quechua NH500 jacket
Nabaiji Ines swimsuit
Skateboard Big Yamba 120 Eco

Ecodesign in
dyeing

Textile dyeing is a process that generates a high environmental impact, consumes considerable energy and requires high water and chemical usage for the dye bath immersion process. To reduce its consumption as much as possible, DECATHLON opts for, where possible, one of these four processes. At DECATHLON, to be certified Ecodesign, over 50% of the product (weight) must use one of these techniques.

The least
water-hungry dye

It’s a question of incorporating the colour straight into the thread at the creation stage. The key benefit is all about saving energy (carbon impact) and water.

Quechua Easy tent
Quechua Raincut

Dyeing
one in two threads

With a view to reducing its water consumption, DECATHLON uses two types of thread in its manufacturing processes: one dyed and one not.

Dyeless
dyeing

It’s the colour of raw textile, i.e. with no dye at all. It’s called “greige”. So by choosing this colour, we are choosing the least polluting colour.

Forclaz tarp tent

Dry
dyeing

This dyeing process works with CO₂ in a closed circuit, 95% of which can be re-used. Set to a specific pressure and temperature, the CO₂ acquires properties enabling it to colour fabrics without needing water.

Exploor Hiking dress

Ecodesign
through reparability

Because a product’s life doesn’t end with its purchase, DECATHLON is building in features to make products more sustainable.
Reparability means being able to offer a solution in the event of product breakdown or failure. A product’s reparability potential is defined according to 4 criteria:
• availability of documentation,
• ability to dismantle the product,
• availability of components,
• repair cost.

At DECATHLON, to qualify as Ecodesign, 80% of a product’s most common breakdowns and failures must be reparable.