BASF to present Simac Tanning Tech in Milan, Italy, September 19-21
The 2023 International Machinery and Technology Fair for the Footwear and Leather Industry showcases new concepts and future design ideas for soles and footwear production. BASF will highlight numerous innovative and sustainable materials.
Circular soles: Creating new soles through mechanical recycling of polyurethane materials
Circular economy is one of the important issues in the polyurethane industry. BASF will provide a process that enables it to use granular polyurethane waste, such as that from shoe sole production, to produce new shoe soles. The decisive factor in the process was that BASF developed a polyurethane foam with thermoplastic properties that can be processed together with the TPU during the injection molding process. This allows the production of high-quality TPU soles or other footwear components with up to 30% recycled content.
Felix, Marketing Manager Polyurethane Footwear, Sports and Leisure, BASF
Willenbrink said: “To achieve the goals of the circular economy, it is important to develop new systems that help protect resources and reduce emissions at all stages of manufacturing-use-recycling. BASF is already ready for the circular economy and becomes a sustainable sole Partner for production.” BASF is taking circularity a step further with intelligent combinations of polyurethane products. BASF’s partnership with bicycle saddle manufacturer Ergon demonstrates this. Newly designed SR
Allroad Circular bicycle saddles use only polyurethane and TPU products to allow for joint mechanical recycling at the end of their life.
Foot feel: High-quality and comfortable insoles
A high-quality insole is the heart of the shoe. BASF offers polyurethane products suitable for different production processes. The characteristics of the insole produced through the casting process can be adjusted precisely to the requirements of the system and provide maximum performance. Thermoforming insoles are particularly lightweight and breathable, making them a comfortable and economical option.
Infinergy®: The success story continues
BASF launches next generation Infinergy®
E-TPU beads can be processed into footwear components simply by hot pressing. This simplifies manufacturing and provides a lower carbon footprint. The technology further demonstrates the high flexibility and add-on possibilities of midsole design.
Shoe material combination: polyurethane and3Dprinting
This year in Padua Calzaturiero
The competition held by the Politecnico Design School is all about futuristic concepts that combine classic processes such as casting and injection molding with 3D printing, using only polyurethane materials. 3D printing applications have already entered the shoemaking industry. BASF
Forward AM is the 3D printing partner for the footwear industry. Ultrasim®3D
Lattice lattices make it easy to generate and implement complex designs. 3D printing adds value to the final shoe and provides the opportunity to develop new models.
Upper coating:NovaCoat-PandNovaCoat-D
BASF will also showcase sustainable, highly elastic coating solutions for the footwear industry that protect flexible surfaces and enable them in a variety of colors and effects. They set new standards in design possibilities, personalization and process optimization. NovaCoat-P is a post-mold coating solution that protects surfaces from a variety of environmental influences. NovaCoat-D combines in-mold coating and release agents in a new way.