Chanel launches circular materials hub Nevold - Short for "never old" - A Sustainability Effort

Chanel launches circular materials hub Nevold - Short for "never old" - A Sustainability Effort

Chanel Launches NEVOLD: A Bold Move Toward Luxury Sustainability

By Paris Runway Official

In a major move signaling the future of luxury fashion, CHANEL has officially unveiled NEVOLD which is a standalone company focused on transforming textile waste into high-value raw materials. The initiative underscores Chanel’s evolving strategy in sustainability, proving that even the most iconic heritage houses are rethinking their approach to waste, materials, and innovation.

What Is NEVOLD?

Short for “never old,” NEVOLD is more than a recycling program. It’s an R&D-driven material innovation company, launched by Chanel to give new life to offcuts, unsold inventory, and unused fabrics... not just from their own ateliers, but from any brand willing to contribute its waste.

This isn’t about making another eco capsule collection. It’s about infrastructure building an ecosystem where circularity becomes core to luxury production. NEVOLD is structured as both a research hub and a B2B supplier, capable of developing alternative materials not just for Chanel, but for other industries where sustainability is becoming non-negotiable.

The Context: Luxury’s Waste Problem

While fast fashion often takes the heat for textile waste, luxury isn’t exempt. High-end fashion houses also produce millions of units annually, many of which never reach consumers. With regulatory pressure growing across Europe and consumer expectations shifting, luxury brands are now being pushed to walk the talk on sustainability.

But Chanel isn’t just reacting. The brand has been quietly laying the groundwork since at least 2019, investing in companies specializing in circular materials and sustainable innovation. NEVOLD marks the formal launch of that long-term vision.

Inside NEVOLD: A Three-Part Engine

NEVOLD brings together a powerful coalition of technical partners:

  • L’Atelier des Matières – Focused on dismantling products and sorting materials

  • Filatures du Parc – A French mill known for its work with recycled yarns

  • Authentic Material – Specializes in recycling leather, aiming to reduce reliance on virgin animal hides

Together, these entities form a closed-loop system aimed at converting fashion waste into high-performance, low-impact materials. Some of these materials may eventually make their way back into Chanel products but others are destined for new sectors entirely.

What This Means for Chanel—and Beyond

Chanel is candid about the challenges. While some recycled materials like leather still don’t meet the strict standards required for luxury handbags, others are already being used to replace plastics in structural components of products. The brand sees this as the beginning of a longer journey... one where waste becomes an asset, not a liability.

In the future, NEVOLD aims to supply materials for industries such as automotive, sportswear, and hospitality, where the focus shifts from luxury finishes to durability, performance, and environmental responsibility.

Final Thoughts: A Strategic Pivot

With NEVOLD, Chanel is making a bet on the economics of sustainability. As natural resources like cashmere and silk become harder to secure in a climate-stressed world, recycled materials offer not only resilience but strategic control.

In redefining waste as innovation, Chanel is positioning itself as a leader in the next era of luxury... one where sustainability is not a trend, but a competitive edge.

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