Boss to debut degradable polyester yarn at the Australian Open

German fashion brand Boss is set to showcase an innovative degradable recycled polyester yarn, NovaPoly, in its tennis kits worn by brand ambassadors Taylor Fritz and Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open in Melbourne this month.

NovaPoly is a recycled alternative to virgin polyester, developed by Boss in collaboration with Jiaren Chemical Recycling and NBC LLC. The yarn is produced using recycled textile waste sourced from both pre- and post-consumer streams. During processing, the recycled polymer is modified with a special additive that accelerates degradability compared to conventional polyester fibers, enabling it to become biodegradable in an anaerobic, active microbial environment.

Boss said the decision to outfit Fritz and Berrettini in NovaPoly-based tennis kits is intended to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the new fibre in a high-intensity, professional sports setting. The yarn will be used across the players’ on-court jerseys, shorts and caps, highlighting its suitability for demanding athletic applications.

NovaPoly represents the second textile innovation launched under Boss’ “The Change” initiative, a platform focused on exploring future-facing technologies and creating purpose-driven designs. The development also supports the brand’s broader sustainability strategy, particularly its efforts to reduce reliance on conventional polyester and polyamide fibres and to address key environmental concerns such as microplastic pollution.