Essentially Rubber: Nike debuts ‘fully-circular’ shoes

Leading-edge designs and applications showing how elastomer materials contribute to all aspects of life and lifestyle in the 21st century:

Nike has introduced a new running shoe that is claimed to be “fully circular” and easy to take apart for recycling. The ISPA Link Axis, has “interlocking components” with “as few materials as possible and zero glue.” The trainers feature the use of a 100% recycled-polyester upper and “100% recycled-TPU tooling achieved by using scrap airbag material.” The shoe also features a 20% recycled-TPU 'cage'. According to Nike, as recycling changes some material properties, the cage balances "the desire to use recycled content with the need for durability and traction." The design is also based on the principle of “disassembly”, making it easy to take the footwear product apart for recycling of components at the end-of-life.