CTCR says recycled PU foam will work in soling mat - footwearbiz: Lead

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CTCR says recycled PU foam will work in soling materials

30/11/2016
La Rioja’s footwear research and technology centre CTCR has announced the successful completion of a project to use recycled polyurethane foam materials to make new soles for shoes. It worked on the project with another research body, Valladolid-based CARTIF.

Safety shoe manufacturer Garmaryga and component supplier Cauchos Ruiz-Alejos also took part in the project, which began in 2013.

The new announcement says all project partners confirm the viability of using recycled PU foam to make soling applications and to increase the sustainability of footwear production.

On making the announcement on November 30, CTCR said it had found that soling materials with 40% recycled PU foam can meet all required technical and quality standards just as well as those using 100% new PU.

Using the glycolysis process, researchers took used PU foams back to their original monomer, polyol and added it to a PU foam production process with the other required materials to make soles.

CTCR’s quality and environment director, Marta Calvo, said on making the announcement that she believes this is “a clear and successful example of the circular economy in action in the footwear sector”.


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