- In October 2024, Dow and Ambipar expanded their strategic alliance to advance plastic recycling efforts in Brazil, with the goal of increasing polyethylene recycling capacity from 2,000 to 60,000 tons annually by 2030. This collaboration is focused on converting post-consumer waste into high-value products that support the circular economy. This initiative is highly relevant to the global Footwear Sole Materials Market as the growing emphasis on sustainability and circular economy practices encourages the use of recycled materials, including polyethylene, in manufacturing
- In September 2024, Covestro revealed plans to establish a new Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU) Application Development Center in Guangzhou, South China, building on the success of its largest TPU manufacturing plant in Zhuhai, launched the previous year. The new center is designed to foster closer collaboration with customers by combining technical expertise and innovative solutions for key applications, including films, specialty cables, consumer electronics, and footwear. This development is highly pertinent to the global Footwear Sole Materials Market, as the growing demand for durable, flexible, and sustainable materials in footwear production drives innovation in TPU technologies
- In June 2024, Dow announced the acquisition of Circulus, a North American polyethylene recycler, significantly boosting its recycling capacity by 50,000 metric tons annually. This strategic acquisition aligns with Dow's commitment to its 2030 sustainability goals, focusing on transforming plastic waste and expanding its portfolio of circular products. This acquisition is particularly relevant to the global Footwear Sole Materials Market, as the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly materials in footwear production continues to rise
- In May 2024, Dow announced the expansion of its propylene glycol (PG) manufacturing facility in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, increasing its total production capacity to 250,000 tons annually. This strategic expansion enhances Dow's position in high-value sectors, including personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food, while also reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through the use of bio-circular feedstocks and ISCC PLUS certification. This development holds significant relevance for the global Footwear Sole Materials Market. Propylene glycol is widely used in the production of polyurethane (PU) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), both of which are key materials in footwear sole manufacturing
- In September 2023, BASF presented its innovative and sustainable solutions for the footwear industry under the theme "Say Hello to the Footure at Simac Tanning Tech 2023. The company showcased several key advancements, including the mechanical recycling of PU waste to produce new soles, the development of new PU-based technologies for enhanced comfort and lightweight insoles, and innovations in Infinergy E-TPU for improved energy return. Additionally, BASF demonstrated the potential of combining traditional manufacturing processes with 3D printing to create cutting-edge footwear designs. These advancements are highly relevant to the global Footwear Sole Materials Market as they address the growing demand for sustainability and performance in footwear production
Frequently Asked Questions
Companies such as BASF SE (Germany), Dow Inc. (U.S.), Kraton Polymers (U.S.), Solvay S.A. (Belgium), Huntsman Corporation (U.S.), Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. (Japan), LG Chem Ltd. (South Korea), Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan), Wanhua Chemical Group Co. Ltd. (China).
The countries covered in the footwear sole materials market are U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, rest of Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, rest of South America, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Egypt, Israel, and rest of Middle East and Africa.
