Anna Turrell, Decathlon Sustainability Director. “100% natural rubber is one of our biggest successes.”

A few weeks ago, Anna Turrell presented an incredible innovation in Hendaye of the Basque Country. Decathlon, a partner of the Paris Olympics, worked for two years with the American brand Yulex to achieve success in the production of the first 100% plant-based polymer suit. The brand’s director of sustainability, appointed a year ago, is driving the company to such an initiative, but also wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and even reach “net zero” by 2050. pioneer

Madame Figaro . – Would you tell us about your professional background?
Anna Turrell. – I grew up in the UK in an agricultural and rural part of the country. At 18, I chose to study anthropology because I was fascinated by people. After my master’s degree, I worked in Nepal and Cambodia on an international development program. But seeing the logistical difficulties and corruption on the ground, which is not necessarily taken into account by the NGO subsidy system, I realized that there is another way to bring about change. I then spent twenty years working with NGOs, businesses and governments on sustainability alignment in Asia. I then left consulting to join Nestlé as head of sustainability before going to Tesco, one of the UK’s biggest supermarkets, and now Decathlon.

Was it difficult to change sides – from NGOs to business?
No, it wasn’t. I have always wanted to have a positive impact on the world, which has motivated me since childhood. The way I have this effect is purely tactical. I’ve tried different things, always with the same goal. The advantage of working for large companies is that this famous effect is multiplied tenfold and much more visible. Furthermore, I like to take on challenges.

What exactly do you do at Decathlon?
The company has been integrating the issue of sustainability for nearly twenty years. And for ten years, he allocated considerable resources to it. My job consists of defining the strategy for Decathlon’s environmental reach business. This applies to the entire production chain of this very large company operating in 70 countries, from production to delivery.

What are your main challenges?
As an international company, we are obliged to constantly adapt to environmental and social regulations, which is difficult to manage. We must also consider the economic context and periods of crisis such as COVID-19. We also adapt our offer according to the environment of the stores, for example bike rental for stores in the city. We also want to change the way we sell in stores or online, we need sellers and customers to be engaged and active to support the adventure we are starting at Decathlon; complete decarbonisation by 2050.

Can you talk about your latest innovation?
We are increasingly developing new product research and testing because we want to be at the forefront of environmental change. In 2016, the Patagonia brand released a suit made of 85% natural rubber, which was a real change. About two and a half years ago, Decathlon worked and tested with the American brand Yulex to create 100% natural rubber and be able to sell it at the same price as synthetic models. It took a long time because staying underwater really requires specific technical skills. This is one of our biggest successes.

Decathlon is a partner of the Paris Olympic Games, which has worked hard to be the most responsible in environmental matters.
Yes, clearly. Decathlon sponsors the Olympic Games through the volunteer kits we design. I come from the food industry and it asks questions like serving healthy food while being sustainable. I am very impressed with how the Olympics organized all the food logistics in the greenest way possible. As the organizers of this incredible event, we are on a mission to make sport accessible to everyone as it helps create a healthier lifestyle and therefore promotes good mental and physical health while helping the planet. The Olympics are a reminder of all these goals and, yes, I think yes, a real engine for change.