The growing use of plastic waste (over 7-10 million tonnes in India alone) adversely impacts the environment. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles comprise a big chunk, and they mostly end up in landfills or oceans.
Despite the global awareness about its environmental impact, its use continues to rise in many parts of the world.
A Hyderabad-based entrepreneur-duo saw a huge opportunity here and e turning plastic waste into a multi-million dollar business.d
Neeman’s was started by Taran Chhabra and Amar Preet Singh in 2018. The startup designs shoes and other footwear products from plastic bottles. The footwears are natural, lightweight and flexible, besides breathable and odour-resistant.
“Neeman’s was created out of craving not just to break the mould but to obliterate it: to say goodbye to the average for good and demand a change in the way we wear shoes,” the founders say. “We believe you should feel good about what you wear. And at Neeman’s, we’re passionate about making sure your shoes make you feel good, look good and do good for your planet.”
The company’s ReLive Knits model is made of 100 per cent recycled PET bottles. Available in two styles (sneakers and slip-on), they utilise eight PET bottles per pair. The products are designed for all seasons, and all-day wear and are cool in summer and warm in winter.
How does Neeman’s convert plastic bottles to shoes?
The company collects the PET bottles, recycles and wash them and then shreds them into small flakes. The next step is to melt, cool, and press the chips and form them into long strands of yarn. It further refines and spins them through a 3D knitting machine to finally create the upper of the shoe. The inner sole is made from bamboo.
“Plastic bottles being dumped in oceans have been a constant concern for the country. So, being in the business of sustainable footwear, we wanted to do something about it. Thus, we took a revolutionary step by collecting plastic bottles from landfills and oceans and recycled them to design this new range- the ReLive Knits. These sneakers are designed to reduce carbon footprints while offering supreme comfort and care,” the firm says on its website.
The firm also makes footwear products from wool, cotton and recycles tyres. Its wool Jogggers is made of ultra-fine Australian Merino wool, which is unbeatable as it is 8x stronger than cotton and about 10x more potent than silk.
On the other hand, the Eco Flip and Eco Slide models are made with natural rubber, recycled compounds and natural oils. Besides, it uses natural cotton and recycled fabrics to make its Cotton Classics model.
Also Read: Biodegradable plastic startup RWDC Industries raises US$22M in fresh funding
Last August, Neeman bagged US$2.7 million in a Series A financing round to launch its products in international markets (the US, West Asia and some regions of Europe. The international foray will begin by the end of this year. To start with, it will launch as a D2C or online-only brand before exploring offline options.
Previously, Neeman’s secured US$1 million in pre-Series A round from Anicut Angel Fund.
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