Footwear brand Vivobarefoot has announced a groundbreaking partnership with materials science company Balena at the Biofabricate Summit in Paris in January.

They have created what they claim is “the world’s first barefoot, 3D-printed, industrially compostable footwear”. The products will be made from a bio-based, industrially compostable thermoplastic that biodegrades.

Their aim is to start selling the footwear in 2025. Until now, most 3D printing filaments have used conventional plastic materials. “We knew we needed to look for other options,” says Dulma Clark, the brand’s lead for impact investment and storytelling. “This one is extremely promising.”

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