BASF at Simac 2024: “Make the Move” to new processing technology, lighter soles and circular solutions for footwear

Ready for recycling with meltable polyurethane foam

Good news for all sustainability initiatives in the footwear industry: BASF offers PU systems for shoes with thermoplastic properties. Felix Willenbrink, Marketing Manager Footwear, Sports and Leisure at BASF Polyurethanes, explains the significance for the footwear industry: “Our PU materials for footwear are meltable. This is a unique property of thermoplastic materials such as Elastollan® (TPU) and Infinergy® (E-TPU). We can now confirm that our Elastopan® PU systems also come with this property. Meltable PU is a further step towards a circular economy in the footwear industry: soles, shoe components or even complete shoes made of polyurethane are ready for mechanical recycling. Even combinations of PU, TPU and E-TPU can be recycled without separation.” Make the move towards a circular economy for footwear systems.

The new lightness: midsoles with excellent properties

Best performance and maximum comfort combined with low weight. That is the perfect midsole. BASF offers a wide range of material solutions that support both existing and new, simplified processing technologies. The low density of the sole systems makes them particularly light. This makes the PU, TPU or E-TPU midsoles ideal for a wide range of shoes, from running shoes to safety shoes. Make the move towards more comfort and lightness.

BASF celebrates 100 years of Politecnico Calzaturiero with new design competition

The Politecnico Calzaturiero is celebrating its centenary and is known far beyond Italy's borders for its excellent training of specialists and designers for the footwear industry. For almost 20 years, BASF has supported the university with an annual design competition that promotes the innovative use of polyurethane in footwear design. The winners of the competition with their inspiring new designs will be presented at the BASF booth. Make the move towards future-orientated shoe design.

Infinergy® Revolution: Efficient processing of high-performance soles

Infinergy® Revolution provides access to a variety of molding processes while keeping the Infinergy® identity of making shoes very comfortable to wear and delivering excellent running properties. Due to new processing methods the material can be fused into soles in a much more energy-efficient and material-friendly manner. With endless design possibilities many surface textures are available. Its durability and recyclability allow Infinergy® Revolution to strive for a more sustainable future of the footwear industry. 

Polyurethane meets 3D printing

Short development times and simple, fast iterations are crucial for the successful go-to-market of new footwear products. Along the entire process, 3D printed polyurethane-based materials can offer added value. Be it directly printed shoe components or additively manufactured moulds for processing standard shoe materials such as Elastopan®. Go new ways in footwear development together with Forward AM.

Visit BASF at Simac 2024, Hall 14, Booth GH47 H48

www.footwear.basf.com