BASF adds spring-in-step for safety wearers

Antwerp, Belgium – BASF has linked up with Argentine footwear brand Maincal to introduce a range of safety shoes incorporating the polymer maker’s Infinergy expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). 

Labelled Voran SportSafe, the series is designed to enable wearers to move and work in comfort with all-day compression technology. 

The expanded TPU material brings “superior responsiveness, comfort and durability,” to the product, according to a 31 Aug BASF announcement.  

Target end-users include workers in automotive, food, logistics industries and other work areas that require high levels of comfort over long periods of time.

The design is versatile, allowing individuals to wear the same pair of shoes to work and outside of a workplace, added the materials supplier.

BASF’s Elastopan is also used in the soles to provide greater adhesion and resistance to sliding on the most demanding surfaces. 

“Combining the new technology and design was not easy, according to Juan Martin Nasi, polyurethanes specialist, Performance Materials, South America, BASF.

“While Maincal contributed with their innovation laboratory, design team, and production capacity with 300 employees, BASF provided a leading-edge technology that delivers superiors comfort and long-term durability,” said Nasi 

“The alliance with BASF and the incorporation of its unique technology will generate great expectations from the market… [and] help us with our expansion plans to international markets,” said Pablo López Calí, commercial director of Maincal.