Arkema TPE powers Decathlon’s performance running brand

Colombes, France – Arkema and French sportswear major Decathlon have stepped up their collaboration with the latest development of a new performance running shoe from the Kiprun brand.

The French materials company supplied its Pebax thermoplastic elastomer for the new KD900X shoes to support Decathlon in its ambitions to develop a “top performance running shoe”, said Arkema in a 15 Sept statement.

Pebax TPEs consist of polyamide and polyether backbone blocks, which offer very low material density, according to Arkema.

The material is widely appreciated for its lightweight, reactivity and “exceptional energy return” over a wide temperature range compared to more traditional materials such as EVA or TPU.

Claimed to deliver 1,000km of durability, the KD900X shoe features Pebax foam and a carbon plate to deliver speed, and performance over the long haul.