Vapesol is shifting gears. It is doing so with a €1.5 million investment in the production of rubber soles, a segment that has so far been outside its portfolio but is now crucial to consolidating its market leadership. The operation, carried out in collaboration with Tecnirolo/Lary Portugal, involves the launch of the project in February 2026 and the introduction of a latest-generation injection plant, capable of producing up to 5,000 pairs of two-colour soles per day with reduced energy consumption and waste.
The agreement marks a concrete step towards a more efficient production model in line with the principles of Industry 4.0. The abandonment of the traditional compression method in favour of integral injection represents not only a technological upgrade, but also a cultural change: a fully monitored, flexible and sustainable process.
“It is a natural consequence of Vapesol’s evolution”, says CEO Décio Pereira. “Our customers have been asking us for some time to also offer rubber soles, in order to have a complete range. Now they will be able to find them all under one roof.” This is a response to market demands, but also a strategic move to expand the company’s presence in new segments, such as trail and barefoot, where rubber remains the material of choice for performance and comfort.
For Pereira, it is a calculated risk: “We know rubber well, we have been using it for years for limited production. Now we are taking it to an industrial scale, with the aim of doubling capacity by 2027, reaching 10,000 pairs per day.”