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KING PLATINUM 21 VEGAN IS PUMA´S FIRST VEGAN LEATHER FOOTBALL BOOT
February 11, 2022KING PLATINUM 21 VEGAN IS PUMA´S FIRST VEGAN LEATHER FOOTBALL BOOT
February 11, 2022It is KING day! Today we have unveiled our first ever PUMA KING football boot made entirely from animal-free materials: The KING Platinum 21 Vegan. This forward-thinking, future-conscious new boot retains the KING signature style, touch and comfort but adds a special new spin on the football icon. Learn more!
“We will continue to use Vegan materials in future products as we aim to offer an alternative to traditional leather products. The boot maintains all the key benefits and performance properties of the KING, but utilizes a special new Vegan upper material, which provides fantastic touch properties, comfort and class synonymous with the PUMA KING.”
– Florian Nemetz, Senior Product Line Manager Teamsport Footwear
Hailing over half a century of heritage and legacy, the KING Platinum 21 Vegan is made for the modern playmakers who are looking for animal-free products.
CATch Up talked to Florian Nemetz, Senior Product Line Manager Teamsport Footwear to learn more about the development process and material.
What’s the focus when it comes to football boots?
Florian: Besides our Ultra and the Future silo, we also want to promote our Vegan KING. The KING is such an iconic football boot with so much history and victories. The next chapter of the KING starts now.
What are the benefits of the new material?
Florian: We did a lot of research to find a new material that is as soft and long-lasting as leather. Now, we found a material that is even better due to a lot of features. First of all it is way softer and durable than leather. In addition, the product is more long-lasting which also makes it more sustainable at the end of the day. In the process we also made sure that there was no influence of products connected to animals. This makes the shoe officially vegan and we were able to get it labelled.
How long did the development process take up to market maturity?
Florian: It took us about two years from the first idea to the final product. The whole process has been an amazing team effort. Thank you to all colleagues in procurement, transport, development and our manufacturing partners & suppliers.
What was the greatest challenge in the process?
Florian: To find products that are totally vegan was an enormous step and work process. But, the feedback we got from the suppliers and our customers was very good. I think it is the perfect momentum for this shoe to launch. I very much enjoyed the whole process and the end product is really something to behold. The KING will always be the KING -a fantastic performance shoe.
What was the most fun?
Florian: Everything. ? The whole process has been a fantastic experience – Finding new innovative solutions as well as seeing that we created a product that is even better than the one before. For me as a big football enthusiast and former player, it is very satisfying to see how it turned out in the end. It has been an exciting journey to be part of. I am looking forward continuing to strive for more sustainable and eco-friendly products in the future.
This is excellent news! Thank you for the interview, Florian.
