In a first for the footwear industry, Huntsman has developed a liquid thermoplastic polyurethane (LTPU) that enables the rapid manufacture of high-performing midsoles and is aligned with the circularity ambitions of brands manufacturing sports and athleisure footwear.
Easier to use than expanded forms of TPU, which require complex procedures such as supercritical foaming and steam chest molding, SMARTLITE® O LTPU system can be processed in a single step that uses significantly less water and energy and generates less waste and carbon emissions. Crucially, Huntsman’s SMARTLITE® O LTPU system can also be converted and repurposed into new materials either in its post-industrial or post-consumer form.
Huntsman’s SMARTLITE® O LTPU system is being officially unveiled today (19th September 2023) at SIMAC in Milan and at the FDRA’s Shoe Sustainability Summit in Portland, Oregon. To launch this unique, lightweight product, Huntsman has joined forces with the framas Group. Ready to partner with brands on sampling and the fulfilment of orders, framas has capacity to produce up to two million soling constructions per annum using the material.
Please log in to read the full article
All our content is free and accessible after logging in. You can register for a free account below.
Innovating Plastics
Innnovating Plastics provides you with daily news about innovation and sustainability in the field of plastics.
