New foamed polymer for athletic footwear applications

The global specialty materials and chemical Celanesehas introduced new biobased Hytrel TPC RS40F2, which, when foamed, is ideal for athletic footwear applications. Incorporating a minimum of 20% segregated bio-content, Hytrel TPC RS40F2 foamed using a physical supercritical fluid (SCF) foaming process helps support the sustainable development objectives of athletic footwear brand owners and manufacturers. The bio-content is verifiable via the C14 method.

Pristine white foamed biobased Hytrel TPC RS40F2 is well-suited to the midsole components of athletic footwear as it delivers lightweighting opportunities while elevating energy return performance with excellent rebound and resilience associated with other Hytrel TPC grades. Hytrel TPC is widely used in different industries due to its advantages in lightweighting, heat insulation, sound absorption, shock resistance, moisture resistance and corrosion resistance. Hytrel TPC RS40F2 can be colored to meet design needs while maintaining material properties.

“This new biobased grade is part of our expanding Hytrel TPC ECO-B portfolio,” said Peter Wing, Celanese Global Marketing Manager of Consumer Products. “It offers numerous benefits for athletic footwear brand owners and manufacturers that align not only with their sustainability ambitions but also their aspirations for elevating shoe performance. We are very excited about how we can enable athletic footwear designers to redefine the category, as well as the contributions this new foamed polymer can make across the value chain."

Physical SCF foaming, which is leading a process technology transformation, results in a unique cell structure with elevated properties and good skin compatibility. The process itself offers environmental benefits as there are no corrosive foaming agent residues to impair mechanical properties. Additionally, it generates low odor/emissions and exhibits no toxicity. The traditional use of materials for insoles and midsoles has typically relied on chemical foaming agents that can generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which react with sunlight to form ground-level smog. This is an environmental concern.

Celanese is collaborating with Xingxun Enterprise, an innovative processor, to produce world-class foamed polymer applications. Experts from both companies have worked together to successfully develop the processing of Hytrel TPC RS40F2 shoe soles using physical SCF foaming technology. This new foaming polymer enables Xingxun to deliver a lower carbon footprint solution to athletic footwear brand owners. Additional benefits offered include drop-in performance with fossil-based foamable grade where no further evaluation is needed, and availability of ISCC+ certified bio-mass balanced Hytrel TPC materials for customers' selection.

“Celanese proprietary technology allows the bio-content of many of our ECO-B materials to be tailored, and we look forward to working with customers on their specific athletic footwear applications," added Wing.