Austrian safety footwear firm develops “next-generation” soling with Huntsman
22/01/2015
Using a specialist footwear material from Huntsman, Schütze-Schuhe has developed what the chemicals group has called “a next-generation, PU-based soling solution for a new range of light, fashionable, safety shoes”. The new range from the Austrian shoe company also has electric static discharge (ESD) properties.
Schütze-Schuhe is a family-run business, best known for making hardwearing boots that enable construction employees to work on hot asphalt for more than an hour. The organisation also has an established range of roofing shoes that offer high levels of grip.
When the company decided to diversify and create a range of ESD safety shoes, it began looking for a new polyurethane supplier to work with. The ideal partner had to be located in central Europe, be willing to develop a double-density soling solution tailored to specific requirements, and be capable of providing hands-on technical support.
Together the two companies embarked on the creation of a bespoke soling solution based on Huntsman’s Daltoped Dual Density technology. Following a period of rapid product development and successful trials at Huntsman’s footwear technology center in Belgium, Schütze-Schuhe began using the new material to create a compact polyurethane outsole with a foamed, soft polyurethane midsole.
Thomas Schützeneder, chief executive of the footwear company, said at the time of the announcement: “Our business is renowned for making shoes and boots that are tough and have a long working life but are comfortable enough to be worn eight hours a day, week after week. We only pick the very best materials and never compromise quality: two values we carried through to our work with Huntsman. Forging new supplier relationships can be daunting but the transition to working with Huntsman was a really positive experience. They rapidly grasped our brief, took a flexible approach to innovation and provided exactly the kind of material we needed. The technical support they gave was also invaluable – helping us trouble shoot and quickly overcome any initial start up issues.”
Share this story:
