It may not feel like tennis weather in the Northern hemisphere but with Australia’s summer in full flow, the Australian Open is making global headlines and also showing the material tech that will have a big impact in Europe and the Americas later this year.

This month, at the year’s first major international tennis tournament, Boss is debuting NovaPoly yarn: a recycled alternative to virgin polyester “with the potential to inspire industry progress in textile innovation and advanced performance”.

Developed in collaboration with Jiaren Chemical Recycling and NBC LLC, it’s claimed to be “more than just a yarn” and is “an example of Boss’s commitment to shaping the future of fashion”.

It features a special additive that speeds up degradability in comparison to conventional polyester fibres, making it biodegradable in an anaerobic active microbial environment. 

The Boss brand’s ambassadors will showcase the yarn in its tennis styles during play in Melbourne this month with Taylor Fritz and Matteo Berrettini set to wear key yarn pieces on the court, including jerseys, shorts, and caps. 

Hugo Boss said “this marks an important moment” in the brand’s journey as it “reinforces its position as a forward-thinking brand, complementing the company’s ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to conventional polyester and polyamide fibres and aligning with its commitment to driving progress through innovation and advanced materials”.

The fibre is made from recycled textile waste sourced from both pre- and post-consumer phases and modified with an additive.  

Boss will “highlight the craftsmanship and forward-thinking approach of NovaPoly yarn through authentic storytelling, athlete endorsements, and dynamic visuals in the collection’s campaign”.

Designs using the fibre will also be available online, in its stores, and through select wholesale retail partners globally from this month.