10 • November/December 2023 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com
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Trend #3
Lighter Footprints
Material developers struggle finding
adequate eco-friendly replacements for
footwear components, with glue oen
cited as the biggest challenge. 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 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, "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."
CovationBio has introduced a unique
midsole material that highlights Susterra, a
regeneratively grown, corn-based product.
"It's the first example we're aware of where
this percentage of bio-based content
(55 percent) is used in the midsole of
an athletic shoe," said John Hurban, VP
global marketing/sales, CovationBIO
PDO. "We believe runners and fitness
enthusiasts will benefit from increased
high-performance shoe flexibility, comfort
and durability."
Saucony Triumph with Susterra midsole.
DESIGN
