New project focuses on footwear circularity
The Horizon Europe-funded ECOSTEP project has officially launched, bringing together 10 partners from across Europe to support the transition towards a more sustainable and circular footwear sector.
ECOSTEP, which stands for ECOdesign criteria for Sustainability in footwear and Testing methods for Evaluation of Performance, aims to promote ecodesign throughout the footwear value chain. The project will focus on improving circularity, durability, reparability, recyclability and overall sustainability in footwear products and manufacturing processes.
Over the next four years, the consortium will develop, validate and implement a footwear-specific ecodesign framework designed to help companies create more sustainable products and production systems.
A key element of the project will be the development of a digital platform integrating life cycle sustainability assessment tools, artificial intelligence and Digital Product Passport functionality. The platform is intended to support companies in assessing and improving the environmental performance of footwear products.
The project is coordinated by CETEC, the Footwear and Plastics Technology Centre of the Region of Murcia in Spain. Partners from Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Germany and the Czech Republic are involved, representing technology centres, universities, standardisation bodies, industry associations, companies, consumer organisations and sustainability specialists.
The consortium said the project will contribute to building a more sustainable, resilient and competitive circular economy for the European footwear industry.
