BASF: recycling and high performance

BASF’s Performance Materials division continues to drive the transformation of the plastics industry by combining sustainability and competitive advantage. The new Elastollan® RC TPU, with up to 100% recycled content, can be used as a raw material for new footwear parts. In parallel with this concept, BASF is developing further strategies for circularity: using depolymerisation, both post-industrial and post-consumer footwear waste can be incorporated into new polyurethane soles. Alternatively, ChemCycling® enables up to 100% attributed recycled raw materials to be obtained using end-of-life tyres or mixed plastic waste.

Among the new products for the summer season is the new Elastopan®SpringPURe, a lightweight yet durable PU. These products have low density without sacrificing the durability and performance of polyurethane. Whether you are looking for the elastic flexibility of polyether-based materials or the ease of processing of polyester-based options (perfect for high-end safety footwear), SpringPURe has it all. BAFS supports all the latest production methods, from classic casting to direct injection. The collaboration with Stemma S.R.L. combines the advances of SpringPURe materials with Stemma’s NUCLEOOS technology, a hybrid technology for chemical-physical foaming, to create lighter midsoles with exceptional style and performance, integrating seamlessly into existing polyurethane moulding processes.

Furthermore, thanks to its collaboration with Desma Schuhmaschinen GmbH, BASF has developed a new level of automated footwear creation that improves flexibility, design, comfort and lightness, introducing concepts such as direct soling with lightweight Elastopan®SpringPURe midsoles combined with sturdy Elastollan® TPU film outsoles. During the trade fair, the possibilities offered by fully automated PU processing combined with the dynamic elasticity of Infinergy® were also demonstrated, resulting in exceptional midsoles produced in a single step. The classic ‘Detonate’ preformed sole concept allows the use of expanded TPU to achieve adaptable densities and superior performance. At the same time, Desma’s innovative SCF machine simplifies production to create ultra-lightweight Infinergy® midsoles with exceptional elasticity and energy return.