TPU plastic (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a versatile and durable material often used in the footwear industry for the production of soles, uppers and elastic components.
TPU is a polyurethane characterized by a polymer chain, an open chain whereby an item can be broken down and reinserted into the production process.
Its unique characteristics offer numerous benefits to sports, casual, stylish, safety and health footwear, contributing to its performance, comfort and durability, meeting the needs of modern consumers.
Moreover, the introduction of recycled TPU is opening up new possibilities for reducing environmental impact and promoting the circular economy in the footwear industry.
Let's take a detailed look at the applications and benefits of using TPU plastic.
Here are some of the applications and advantages of TPU plastic in the footwear sector:
Soles and midsoles: TPU plastic is commonly used in the production of soles and midsoles for sports, hiking and work footwear. Due to its resistance to abrasion, wear and traction, TPU soles offer excellent grip, cushioning and durability. In addition, TPU can be formulated with different properties, such as stiffness or flexibility, to meet the specific needs of different types of footwear.
Elastic uppers: TPU is widely used to make elastic uppers in footwear such as running shoes, trainers and boots. TPU plastic offers a combination of flexibility, strength and breathability, allowing a comfortable fit and adequate foot protection.
Elastic components: TPU is used to produce elastic components such as fastening straps, adjustable tabs and elastic inserts. These components allow for grant an improved fit, adaptability and comfort of the footwear, they adapt to different foot shapes, enabling feet to move freely.
Resistance and durability: TPU is known for its excellent resistance to abrasion, wear and tear. This means that footwear made from TPU tends to be durable and to maintain its properties over time, withstanding everyday wear and tear and the outdoor environment.
Flexibility and elasticity: TPU offers good flexibility and elasticity, allowing footwear to adapt to the movements of the feet. This is especially important for sports footwear and high-intensity activities, where a full range of movements is required.
Lightness: Despite its strength and durability, TPU plastic is relatively light, and this helps to reduce the overall weight of footwear. This is particularly appreciated in sports footwear, where the reduced weight can improve performance and comfort.
Customization and aesthetic possibilities: TPU can be easily coloured and personalized, allowing a wide range of footwear design and customization choices. This is advantageous for footwear brands that wish to differentiate themselves on the market and offer unique products thanks to the possibility of applying any type of colouring (glossy, matt, metallic, glitter, pearlised, etc.) and painting.
In short, TPU plastic offers a combination of resistance, durability, flexibility and customization that makes it a very suitable material for various applications in the footwear sector.
Well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Puma, Salomon and Timberland use TPU plastic for soles, uppers and elastic components in their footwear.
For example, running shoes from the Nike Air Zoom series and Nike Mercurial and Puma Future football boots or models from Adidas' Ultraboost and NMD lines or New Balance's Fresh Foam technology.
Several brands in the shoe industry are adopting sustainable solutions and using recycled TPU plastic for their production. The aforementioned Nike launched a line called 'Space Hippie' that uses recycled materials, including recycled TPU, for the production of shoe soles and uppers.
Adidas has introduced 'Boost' technology in its running shoes, which includes the use of recycled TPU. In addition, Adidas is working with Parley for the Oceans to create footwear using recycled plastic from the ocean.
Recycled TPU is produced through the recycling process of pre-consumer and post-consumer TPU plastics. This process involves collection, sorting, shredding and regeneration of TPU: the result is a recycled material withcharacteristics similar to virgin TPU.
The use of recycled TPU reduces the dependence on virgin plastic sources and helps reducing the use of limited natural resources.
One of the main advantages of recycled TPU is the reduction of carbon emissions. Compared to virgin TPU, the production of recycled TPU requires significantly less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
By using recycled TPU, the overall environmental impact of footwear production can be reduced, contributing to the fight against climate change.
Furthermore, the use of recycled TPU promotes the circular economy in the footwear sector. By incorporating recycled TPU into the production of soles, uppers and other elastic components of footwear, the amount of plastic waste going to landfill or incineration can be reduced.
This means that TPU plastic, instead of being considered as waste, is reused and reintroduced into the production cycle, creating a continuous flow of materials and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
The use of recycled TPU in the footwear sector can also have a positive impact on brand image. Consumers are increasingly aware of sustainability and are looking for products made from recycled materials.
Using recycled TPU in footwear can be a point of differentiation for brands, demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability and attracting a more conscious public.
It is important to emphasize that recycled TPU must meet almost the same quality and performance standards as virgin TPU. The footwear industry must work closely with reliable and certified suppliers to ensure that the recycled TPU used meets the standards required for footwear production.
In conclusion, the use of recycled TPU in the footwear industry is a sustainable solution to reduce environmental impact and promote economy.
Gianeco is involved in the production of recycled thermoplastic elastomers, including TPU.
Contact us
email: info@gianeco.com
tel: +39 0119370420
TPU plastic (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a versatile and durable material often used in the footwear industry for the production of soles, uppers and elastic components.
TPU is a polyurethane characterized by a polymer chain, an open chain whereby an item can be broken down and reinserted into the production process.
Its unique characteristics offer numerous benefits to sports, casual, stylish, safety and health footwear, contributing to its performance, comfort and durability, meeting the needs of modern consumers.
Moreover, the introduction of recycled TPU is opening up new possibilities for reducing environmental impact and promoting the circular economy in the footwear industry.
Let's take a detailed look at the applications and benefits of using TPU plastic.
Here are some of the applications and advantages of TPU plastic in the footwear sector:
Soles and midsoles: TPU plastic is commonly used in the production of soles and midsoles for sports, hiking and work footwear. Due to its resistance to abrasion, wear and traction, TPU soles offer excellent grip, cushioning and durability. In addition, TPU can be formulated with different properties, such as stiffness or flexibility, to meet the specific needs of different types of footwear.
Elastic uppers: TPU is widely used to make elastic uppers in footwear such as running shoes, trainers and boots. TPU plastic offers a combination of flexibility, strength and breathability, allowing a comfortable fit and adequate foot protection.
Elastic components: TPU is used to produce elastic components such as fastening straps, adjustable tabs and elastic inserts. These components allow for grant an improved fit, adaptability and comfort of the footwear, they adapt to different foot shapes, enabling feet to move freely.
Resistance and durability: TPU is known for its excellent resistance to abrasion, wear and tear. This means that footwear made from TPU tends to be durable and to maintain its properties over time, withstanding everyday wear and tear and the outdoor environment.
Flexibility and elasticity: TPU offers good flexibility and elasticity, allowing footwear to adapt to the movements of the feet. This is especially important for sports footwear and high-intensity activities, where a full range of movements is required.
Lightness: Despite its strength and durability, TPU plastic is relatively light, and this helps to reduce the overall weight of footwear. This is particularly appreciated in sports footwear, where the reduced weight can improve performance and comfort.
Customization and aesthetic possibilities: TPU can be easily coloured and personalized, allowing a wide range of footwear design and customization choices. This is advantageous for footwear brands that wish to differentiate themselves on the market and offer unique products thanks to the possibility of applying any type of colouring (glossy, matt, metallic, glitter, pearlised, etc.) and painting.
In short, TPU plastic offers a combination of resistance, durability, flexibility and customization that makes it a very suitable material for various applications in the footwear sector.
Well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Puma, Salomon and Timberland use TPU plastic for soles, uppers and elastic components in their footwear.
For example, running shoes from the Nike Air Zoom series and Nike Mercurial and Puma Future football boots or models from Adidas' Ultraboost and NMD lines or New Balance's Fresh Foam technology.
Several brands in the shoe industry are adopting sustainable solutions and using recycled TPU plastic for their production. The aforementioned Nike launched a line called 'Space Hippie' that uses recycled materials, including recycled TPU, for the production of shoe soles and uppers.
Adidas has introduced 'Boost' technology in its running shoes, which includes the use of recycled TPU. In addition, Adidas is working with Parley for the Oceans to create footwear using recycled plastic from the ocean.
Recycled TPU is produced through the recycling process of pre-consumer and post-consumer TPU plastics. This process involves collection, sorting, shredding and regeneration of TPU: the result is a recycled material withcharacteristics similar to virgin TPU.
The use of recycled TPU reduces the dependence on virgin plastic sources and helps reducing the use of limited natural resources.
One of the main advantages of recycled TPU is the reduction of carbon emissions. Compared to virgin TPU, the production of recycled TPU requires significantly less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
By using recycled TPU, the overall environmental impact of footwear production can be reduced, contributing to the fight against climate change.
Furthermore, the use of recycled TPU promotes the circular economy in the footwear sector. By incorporating recycled TPU into the production of soles, uppers and other elastic components of footwear, the amount of plastic waste going to landfill or incineration can be reduced.
This means that TPU plastic, instead of being considered as waste, is reused and reintroduced into the production cycle, creating a continuous flow of materials and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
The use of recycled TPU in the footwear sector can also have a positive impact on brand image. Consumers are increasingly aware of sustainability and are looking for products made from recycled materials.
Using recycled TPU in footwear can be a point of differentiation for brands, demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability and attracting a more conscious public.
It is important to emphasize that recycled TPU must meet almost the same quality and performance standards as virgin TPU. The footwear industry must work closely with reliable and certified suppliers to ensure that the recycled TPU used meets the standards required for footwear production.
In conclusion, the use of recycled TPU in the footwear industry is a sustainable solution to reduce environmental impact and promote economy.
Gianeco is involved in the production of recycled thermoplastic elastomers, including TPU.
Contact us
email: info@gianeco.com
tel: +39 0119370420
