I’m very pleased to share a major milestone in our commitment to sustainable materials. It has been almost two years since I took on the challenge of leading this company. The first step was deciding to produce 100% of our sneakers in Portugal and improve their overall quality — which also meant increasing the production cost of our footwear. Since then, we have launched new models such as the Ground (barefoot), the M70 Soul, the M26 Dawn, and the M01 Atlas, with many more to come. More sustainable, more conscious fashion.
As SAYE celebrates its 8th anniversary, the Barcelona-based sneaker brand is marking the milestone with a strong commitment to what has always been part of its DNA: leading by doing in sustainable innovation. To commemorate the occasion, SAYE is introducing Lignify, a new initiative focused on launching sneaker models made with innovative and responsible materials such as lignin, reinforcing the brand’s mission to continuously push the boundaries of sustainable footwear.
This special collection is entirely made with lignin, an innovative material derived from wood and paper industry waste, reinforcing SAYE’s commitment to circularity, responsible innovation, and sustainable material development. The launch of these eight sneakers is not just symbolic; because they are made from a tree-derived material, the collection naturally reinforces one of SAYE’s founding commitments: planting trees for every pair sold. For this anniversary edition, the brand will go a step further by planting four trees for every pair sold instead of the usual two, giving the celebration a double impact that aligns product innovation with tangible environmental action. In addition, SAYE will collaborate with Greenspark so that after each purchase, customers receive a personalized email confirming that they have sponsored four trees in Kenya, turning environmental impact into something visible, tangible, and personal.
As the footwear industry continues its search for alternatives to petroleum-based materials, SAYE’s latest innovation explores the potential of lignin, one of the most abundant natural polymers on Earth.
Unlocking the Potential of Lignin
Lignin is a natural substance found in plants that gives them structure and rigidity. Despite its abundance, it is largely treated as a byproduct of industrial processes such as paper manufacturing and is often discarded.
Through the Lignify initiative, SAYE is working to repurpose this overlooked material and integrate it into footwear components. By doing so, the brand aims to give plant waste a second life while reducing reliance on traditional synthetic inputs commonly used in sneaker production.
Measuring the Environmental Impact
To support the development of Lignify, SAYE conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental footprint of the material across several key indicators. The analysis looked at metrics including water consumption, carbon emissions, eutrophication potential, and abiotic resource depletion.
| Metric | SAYE | Industry Avg | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water use | 6.07 m³ | 9.95 m³ | 39% less |
| Carbon emissions | 8.21 kg CO₂ | 10.80 kg CO₂ | 24% less |
| Eutrophication | 23.93 g | 37.39 g | 36% less |
| Resource depletion | 137.67 MJ | 183.56 MJ | 25% less |
Material Innovation as Brand Strategy
For SAYE, Lignify represents more than a new material—it reflects the brand’s broader design philosophy. The company has focused on combining contemporary sneaker design with responsible material sourcing and production practices.
With Lignify, SAYE continues to explore new ways of reducing environmental impact while pushing forward the conversation around the future of sustainable footwear.
