There was a strong focus on sustainability at the seventh edition of the Textile International Forum and Exhibition (TIFE), which took place in Tapei, Taiwan, from October 4-5.This year’s theme was Value Creation and Green Technology.

In line with this, the Footwear & Recreation Technology Research Institute (FRT) showed how to produce footwear, including lightweight and flexible flip flops and sandals, from 40% recycled materials, mainly shoes.

The FRT also exhibited biodegradable sports and fashion shoes made from PLA (polylactic acid), which is generally derived from corn and sugarcane. These shoes usually take between 60 days and six months to biodegrade when buried, depending on the conditions.

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