Textile Insight

T here is no shortage of creativity in the footwear world these days, especially when it comes to new materials and digitaliza- tion methods. Eco-alternative textiles and components along with cutting edge design techniques are exciting areas to watch in the coming seasons as footwear companies continue to extend the range of styles that prioritize sustainability with- out sacrificing functionality and comfort. Performance brands are stepping up efforts to eliminate the use of PFAS (forever chemicals) and taking a forward-thinking approach to the use of bio-based fabrications. e latest looks also are directional in terms of design as suppliers increasingly turn to 3D and other next-gen techniques for ideation and product creation. Hurdles remain, but there's no doubt that circular shoe solutions are on the fast track. A Sticky Situation Finding adequate eco-conscious replace- ments for footwear components is difficult, with glue oen cited as the biggest challenge. Currently the eco-friendly glue landscape is heavily focused on water-based polyurethane glues, that, unlike solvent-based glues, are low-VOC, reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, are non-flammable, and use water as the activator. OrthoLite recently introduced its patented Fiber-Fusion Technology that eliminates the need for glue, mechanically bonding Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) conductive copper fibers into the OrthoLite X35 base layer. e company notes that the new tech- nology goes beyond existing ESD protection for traditional insoles. e proprietary top- cover system features in OrthoLite's new ESD Shield insole. Bio-based hot melt adhesive is another eco-friendly glue emerging. is type of adhesive uses renewable raw materials such as corn, potatoes, tapioca, and certain vegetable oils as a percentage of the adhesive recipe, explains Rob Falken, VP of Innovation for OrthoLite, adding that hot-melt adhesives are solid at room temperature but become molten when heated, allowing them to bond materials as they cool and solidify. "It is still early days in the mass commercialization of a synthetic eco-friendly glue that can withstand the rigors of footwear manufacturing such as water resistance, exposure to high heat, and long-term use coupled with bending and flexing," states Falken. Corn-Powered Cushioning Saucony's most sustainable shoe to date, the Triumph RFG, launches with a unique midsole material called Susterra, a branded, regeneratively grown, corn-based product. "It's the first example we're aware of where Strides in Sustainability Firms Pick Up the Pace in Responsible Product Development. By Emily Walzer FOOTWEAR / ECO INNOVATION 24 • Textile Insight ~ Fall 2023 textileinsight.com Saucony / Triumph RFG (Run for Good) In addition to its corn-powered PWRUN BIO+ midsole made with 55 percent Susterra, the Triumph RFG features plant-based dyes in the upper and an 80 percent natural rubber outsole that is engineered to offer the same level of performance as a synthetic sole. (Susterra is made with "dent" corn, a prod- uct used primarily in industrial applications. The product is known technically as "1, 3 Propanediol (PDO)," an organic corn-based colorless viscous liquid miscible with water.)

• Cover