New TPU can give runners an energy boost, Huntsman claims
20/10/2016
The company went on to say that smartLite PF 1560 TPU is a low-density, elastic material that is 100% recyclable. It is a specifically formulated grade of TPU that is durable, resilient, and has the potential to deliver an energy return of up to 50%, Huntsman said, with the ability to spring back to its original shape after being stretched or compressed. “It is perfect for producing soft, bouncy midsoles for a wide range of athletic footwear,” the company added.
In addition, a special manufacturing process makes the product “fully tunable”, the manufacturer said at the time of the launch, meaning that the cushioning effect offered by smartLite PF 1560 TPU can be customised for different applications, giving footwear manufacturers and brands a high level of flexibility in the design and performance of shoes.
Sports shoes featuring the new TPU will be comfortable and have the potential to help wearers run faster and for longer, while expending less energy, Huntsman claimed. In midsole applications it works by stretching to accommodate the impact caused by running, jumping or walking. As the flow of movement changes, and feet lift off the ground, the material responds, returning to its original shape and transferring any power amassed to wearers, giving them an extra spring in their step. This energy cycle can happen multiple times without diminishing the physical or mechanical performance properties, Huntsman said.
At the time of the launch, the company’s global marketing manager for footwear, Stephane Peysson, commented: “This is designed to satisfy the footwear industry’s ongoing quest for novel materials that are ultra-lightweight yet also able to deliver the highest performance and comfort levels. It will have broad appeal across the sector. The fast moving sports industry is our main target market but this new technology will inevitably attract the interest of footwear producers creating other kinds of shoes. This could include anyone looking for an alternative to traditional materials such as EVA, which do not have the high level of energy management offered by smartLite PF 1560 TPU.”
It is 100% recyclable, has high levels of UV protection, meaning it is less prone to yellowing over time, is stable at a wide range of temperatures, from -20 to + 40 Celsius, and complies with all major health and safety regulations.
Huntsman unveiled the product at the K2016 plastics exhibition in Dusseldorf.
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