Bio TPU racing ahead in Green Sports Footwear

Photo Courtesy of Brooks Sports Inc.

Markets: Footwear, Sports & Leisure Polymer: Bio TPU  Key performances: Renewable-sourced material Outstanding performance comparable to petroleum-based material Easy processability 3-4 % Lower density vs. petroleum-based polyester TPU

Sports equipment manufacturers are going green following the general trend of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) incorporating renewable-based materials that reduce their impact on the environment.

Several major sport companies have recently launched ski boots, goggles, running shoes and other high performing footwear and moulded parts using renewable-sourced raw materials, such as plant-based Bio TPU.

Developing a new project? Get personalized phone guidance within 24 hours!

The development of innovative green technologies have shown that the performance of Bio TPUs in sports good materials is as good as or even better than petroleum-based materials.

Pearlthane® ECO TPU ensures outstanding performance for outdoor components while offering environmental benefits.

Bio TPU contains renewable materials ranging between 20% and 90%, depending on the application. Pearlthane® ECO TPU grades provide moulders with an environmentally-friendly solution to develop sustainable performance running footwear.

Specifically, Pearlthane® ECO D12T95 , a 95 Shore A grade with 32% renewable content according to ASTM D 6866, is an example of this.

Renewable-sourced Pearlthane® ECO TPU grades have a very good Hydrolysis resistance and improved comparing to that of Standard 100% petroleum-based Pearlthane® TPU grades (please see graph above).

Pearlthane® ECO brings a sustainable solution to the OEMs serving the Sports footwear industry with a set of differentiated benefits such as:

20% minimum Renewable content
Reducing CO₂ emissions vs. standard petroleum-based TPU
100% recyclable in a standard recycling process, as illustrated in the graphic below:

It perfectly answers the challenges shoe manufacturers are facing today:

to use renewable materials
to avoid using polluting substances and toxic products
to maximize the use of recyclable/recycled materials

Without sacrificing the Sports industry's demands for an Aesthetic design!