Focus on green at Materials at WSA
According to the organisers, the inaugural Materials at WSA Expo & Conference held in Las Vegas, USA, last week “exceeded expectations” and has been hailed a “resounding success”.
With over 100 companies from ten countries showcasing their latest innovative materials ranging from leathers, synthetics and textiles through components, to technology and sourcing solutions, big names such as 3M, Dae Woo and Milliken exhibited at the show alongside Italian tanneries and new start-up companies.
“We were dedicated to delivering a show that would become a valuable resource to the footwear industry and all the feedback tells me we’ve done it,” said Courtney Harold, director. “We have been pleased to welcome advanced product developers, through to design teams from leading brands such as Brown Shoe, Old Navy, K-Swiss, Vans, Burton, Quicksilver and Payless, among the many others who have been filling the aisles,” she added.
‘Green’ processes and business and environmentally friendly products were one of the main features of many exhibits, with products such as Lactae Hevea soles from Reltex, made from liquid Hevea milk, Omnipel Technologies S.r.l’s new fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and bamboo, hand-crafted components made from natural raw product by Astarte, and heels and soles from Martac, made using unusual raw products such as bamboo.
On the technology side, some of the highlights were said to be a new 3D footwear scanner from Global Footwear Solutions and new innovations with silicone demonstrated by Dow Corning. Milliken also launched a new polymeric colorant for synthetic leather, ViviTint, at the show which is said to offer an environmentally friendly colour with “glass-like transparency”.
