Stahl

Stahl receives 2025 adiFORMULATOR Award from adidas

HomeNewsStahl Receives 2025 Adiformulator Award From Adidas
February 17, 2026

Waalwijk, the Netherlands, 17 February 2026 – Stahl, a global provider of speciality coatings for flexible materials, is proud to announce it has received the 2025 adiFORMULATOR Award from adidas for the second consecutive year. The recognition reflects Stahl’s continued leadership in advancing safer, more responsible formulations across its Leather Finishing and Performance Coatings portfolios.

At the core of this achievement is Stahl’s long‑term commitment to driving ZDHC MRSL (Manufacturing Restricted Substances List) conformance, with a focus on achieving and maintaining Level 3 performance across key product groups. Through proactive formulation strategies, continuous phase‑out of restricted substances, and robust internal governance processes, Stahl has been accelerating the transition toward ZDHC‑aligned formulations for several years.

This includes:

  • Prioritising safer raw materials and continuously updating internal design standards.

  • Systematically phasing out non‑conforming substances during development and reformulation cycles.

  • Setting ambition in the 2030 ESG roadmap with interim milestone year targets to align the product portfolio with the latest ZDHC conformity

  • Ensuring broad and transparent listing of products in the ZDHC Gateway, reinforcing trust and traceability.

  • Collaborating closely with brands, manufacturers and supply‑chain partners to expand the adoption of ZDHC‑aligned solutions.

This recognition from adidas underscores the impact of Stahl’s efforts in enabling a more responsible and future‑ready chemical landscape. It also highlights the company’s commitment to supporting industry‑wide progress toward safer manufacturing environments.

Laura Willemsen, Group Director Sustainability and Marketing at Stahl, says:
“Receiving the adiFORMULATOR Award from adidas for the second consecutive year is testament to our team’s passion and continued commitment, and inspires us to continue driving positive change for our customers and the industry as a whole. We are proud to be recognised for our efforts in advancing sustainable innovation to meet evolving industry standards.”