At a time when consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the materials they wear and shop with intention, animal lovers will celebrate this latest move: Adidas has officially ended the use of kangaroo leather in its products, following sustained pressure from animal welfare groups.
The announcement came during Adidas's Annual General Meeting in Fürth, Germany, where CEO Bjørn Gulden confirmed that the company had quietly exited the kangaroo leather trade months ago—and had no plans to resume it. The decision follows a direct appeal by Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, and marks a major win for the Center's “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign, which has targeted the use of kangaroo hides in athletic footwear since 2020.
PHOTO: Adidas joins Nike, Puma, New Balance, Diadora, and UK-based Sokito in banning kangaroo leather.
“This is thrilling news,” said Pacelle. “With Adidas exiting the trade, we have shut down sourcing of skins by the world's top five athletic shoe brands. We now will redouble our efforts to secure similar pledges from Japanese companies ASICS and Mizuno and end this trade once and for all.”
Pacelle traveled to Germany for the announcement, joined by animal advocates Milla Widmer of Munich and Vanessa Hagler of Fürth.
Adidas joins Nike, Puma, New Balance, Diadora, and UK-based Sokito in banning kangaroo leather. The campaign, which brought attention to what activists described as "nighttime massacres" of kangaroos in Australia, has contributed to a reported drop in the number of animals killed annually.
Jennifer Skiff, director of international programs at the Center for a Humane Economy, called Adidas's decision “a historic milestone in animal protection and corporate responsibility,” adding that it sends a clear message: “Cruelty has no place in commerce.”
“Adidas has been the most important supporter of the Australian kangaroo kill for years,” added Pacelle. “Its exit from this trade is a monumental step forward.”
PHOTO: The kangaroo leather industry, long controversial for its mass killing of native wildlife, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years
The kangaroo leather industry, criticized for its mass killing of native wildlife, has faced growing pressure in recent years, including legislative proposals in the U.S. to ban kangaroo-derived products.
Louise Ward of the International Kangaroo Protection Alliance called the move a “victory” for global advocacy and grassroots activism, while Australian Member of Parliament Emma Hurst praised it as a decision that aligns with “transparency, ethics, and global consumer expectations.”
“This win belongs to every advocate who stood outside a store, signed a petition, or raised their voice,” said Donny Moss of TheirTurn, who led dozens of in-store protests targeting Adidas.
The Center for a Humane Economy says it will continue to push for corporate and legislative reforms to end the commercial exploitation of wildlife.
