Shoe recycling obstacle melts away, BASF says
The performance materials division of chemicals group BASF has said it will present new concepts and recycling methods for polyurethanes at Simac Tanning Tech in Milan (September 17-19).
It has said the technologies it will showcase at the event can help footwear companies produce shoes that offer high levels of comfort and durability while remaining lightweight.
In the build-up to the exhibition, marketing manager for footwear, sports and leisure at BASF Polyurethanes, Felix Willenbrink, said: “Our PU materials for footwear are meltable. This is a unique property of thermoplastic materials such as Elastollan and Infinergy. Meltable PU is a further step towards a circular economy in the footwear industry. Components or even complete shoes made from these materials will be ready for mechanical recycling. And it will be possible for combinations of different kinds of polyurethane to be recycled without separation.”
BASF will also have on display a wide range of material solutions that support existing and new, simplified processing technologies. The low density of the sole systems makes them particularly light, it said.
