Samsara Eco expands Nylon Materials Collective with Outdoor Industry Association and leading global brands
Samsara Eco expands Nylon Materials Collective with Outdoor Industry Association and leading global brands
May 12, 2026
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Samsara Eco expands Nylon Materials Collective with Outdoor Industry Association and leading global brands
New partnership connects a network of more than 260 outdoor brands and welcomes Burton, W. L. Gore & Associates, Black Diamond Equipment, Red Wing Shoe Company and Big Agnes.
Circular materials innovator, Samsara Eco today announced the expansion of its Nylon Materials Collective, welcoming the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) alongside leading global brands including Burton , W. L. Gore & Associates , Black Diamond Equipment , Red Wing Shoe Company , and Big Agnes . The expansion marks a significant milestone for the Collective, which launched in November 2025 in partnership with the European Outdoor Group to accelerate the adoption of circular nylon across the outdoor industry. Nylon can have a significant carbon footprint in performance apparel and equipment, depending on material type, production route and application, yet remains essential for its strength, durability and technical performance, making circular alternatives critical. With the addition of Outdoor Industry Association, the Collective now connects a network of an additional 100+ outdoor brands that are part Climate Action Corps and Clean Chemistry & Materials Coalition. These groups have committed to reducing emissions and harmful chemicals in its supply chain. The Collective supports both objectives and comes at a time when industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on chemical transparency, traceability and material stewardship in recycled content streams. “Collaboration across the value chain is critical to scaling circularity. By bringing together industry leaders, associations and supply chain partners, we’re building the infrastructure needed to make circular materials the default, without asking brands to make compromises,” commented Paul Riley, Founder and CEO of Samsara Eco. “Material performance remains non-negotiable. Burton, W. L. Gore & Associates, Black Diamond Equipment, Red Wing Shoe Company, and Big Agnes are names synonymous with technical excellence, performance and innovation. Their involvement reinforces that circular materials are the way forward. We're proud to welcome these brands to our Collective and continue helping shift the industry towards a circular future.” The Nylon Materials Collective brings together brands and supply chain partners to simplify the adoption of Samsara Eco’s high-performance recycled nylon. By delivering validated material due diligence and supporting simplified pathways to recycled nylon, the Collective enables brands of all sizes to adopt circular materials more efficiently, reducing the logistical and commercial barriers that have traditionally slowed adoption. The inclusion of Outdoor Industry Association strengthens the Collective’s reach across North America, complementing its existing partnership with the European Outdoor Group and reinforcing its global footprint. Together, these organisations represent an important cross-section of the outdoor industry uniting brands around a shared ambition to transition towards circularity. “Sustainability is a catalyst for strengthening the outdoor industry, and collaboration is how we scale that impact,” said Julie Brown, Sr. Director of Industry Engagement and Impact, Outdoor Industry Association. “By joining the Nylon Materials Collective, we are helping our members reduce environmental impact, navigate evolving regulations, and accelerate the shift to circular materials without compromising performance. This is about turning shared challenges into shared solutions, and ensuring the outdoor industry continues to lead with responsibility, resilience, and innovation for the long term.” Outdoor brands are uniquely positioned to lead the shift towards circularity. Built on a foundation of durability, performance and environmental stewardship, the sector has long prioritised product longevity and responsible innovation. By joining the Nylon Materials Collective, participating brands are reinforcing that commitment, taking practical steps in support of a more circular model, with the aim of keeping materials in use for longer and reducing waste. Dr. Katy Stevens, Head of ESG at the European Outdoor Group commented: “We are pleased to see the continued expansion of the Nylon Materials Collective and the growing commitment from industry partners worldwide. By opening up access to circular materials for smaller organisations alongside global brands, this initiative demonstrates how collaboration can help scale practical solutions and accelerate progress towards circularity.” Christian Mayer, International Product Specialist, Gore Fabrics , also commented: “At W. L. Gore & Associates, we apply materials science to deliver durable, high performance products while working to reduce environmental impact. We see chemical and enzymatic recycling as a viable technology to increase global supply of textile-to-textile material. Engagement in initiatives like the Nylon Materials Collective enables dialogue and shared learning around materials management, while we continue to apply high standards for durability and chemical stewardship.” The announcement builds on Samsara Eco’s recent momentum, including a 10-year partnership with athleisure brand LSKD, further demonstrating the demand for high-performance, recycled materials. The Collective will showcase at the European Outdoor Group’s Outdoor Impact Summit taking place later this week in Riva del Garda, Italy.