BASF advances innovations for sustainable footwear

Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF has introduced new concepts and futuristic design ideas for sole and shoe production towards meeting the requirements of the ‘circular economy’.

Developments include a process that makes it possible to use granulated PU waste, for example from sole production, to produce new soles.

For the process, BASF developed PU foams with thermoplastic properties that can be processed together with TPU in the injection moulding process.

The technology delivers “high-quality TPU soles or other components on the shoe with a recycled content of up to 30%,” the chemical group announced in September.

"In order to achieve the goals of a circular economy, it is important to develop new systems that help preserve resources and reduce emissions in all phases of make - use - recycle," said Felix Willenbrink, marketing manager footwear, sports and leisure at BASF Polyurethanes.

BASF has also launched a new range of Infinergy E-TPU beads, which can be processed into footwear components – in a simple heat-press process.

The technology, it said, “eases the manufacturing [process], provides a lower carbon footprint and further shows high flexibility of midsole designs and possibilities of additional components.”

BASF has also recently rolled out its ‘Ultrasim 3D lattice engine’ technology, which is said to facilitate the production of complex designs via 3D printing: adding value to footwear products and offering opportunities for the development of new models.

Another recent innovation from BASF, is a highly elastic coating system for the footwear industry that protects and functionalises flexible surfaces in a wide variety of colours and effects.

The NovaCoat-P post-mould coating system is claimed to “set new standards in design possibilities, individualisation and process optimisation” while protecting surfaces from various environmental influences.