Shoe Material Innovation: New Materials Lead Industry Transformation

With the advancement of technology and the continuous improvement of consumer demand, the shoe material industry is undergoing a profound transformation. The emergence of various new materials has not only improved the performance of shoes, but also promoted the innovative development of the shoe materials industry. This article will focus on introducing several new materials with broad application prospects in the field of shoe materials.

MD and PHYLON: The perfect combination of lightweight and elasticity

MD， MODEL or PHYLON Flying Dragon actually refers to a sole material made of a mixture of EVA and rubber. This material is lightweight, elastic, and has excellent seismic performance. Its hardness can be controlled by foaming temperature. PHYLON， Commonly known as Feilong, it is a midsole material used to make shoe soles. It is made by heating and compressing EVA foam, and belongs to the secondary high-pressure molded product of EVA. This material is lightweight, elastic, and has excellent seismic performance, making it a commonly used high-quality material in the footwear industry.

The combination of MD and PHYLON achieves a perfect balance between lightness and elasticity in the sole. This material not only improves the comfort of the shoes, but also enhances the wear resistance and shock resistance of the sole. Therefore, MD and PHYLON have been widely used in sports shoes, casual shoes and other fields.

TPU： The wide application of high-performance elastomers

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a type of elastic rubber with high toughness and strength. It has a special molecular structure that achieves a good balance between flexibility and strength. TPU film can ensure waterproofing and stretching with human movement, without limiting the flexibility of movement. In addition, TPU film has the characteristics of being environmentally friendly and non-toxic, which meets the requirements of modern society for environmentally friendly materials.

In the field of shoe materials, TPU is widely used in sole manufacturing due to its excellent elasticity and wear resistance. Whether it's sports shoes or casual shoes, TPU can provide excellent support and cushioning effects. At the same time, TPU also has good waterproof and breathable properties, making the shoes dry and comfortable even in humid environments.

PEBAX： The perfect combination of ultra lightweight and high-performance

PEBAX material has a wide range of applications in the field of shoe materials and stands out with its unique functional characteristics. Firstly, PEBAX has the characteristic of being ultra lightweight, with a weight that is at least 50% lighter than other materials under the same performance. In addition, it also exhibits excellent low temperature resistance and can maintain toughness even in an environment of -70 ℃. PEBAX also has good breathability and high resilience, with a rebound rate of around 80%. In terms of folding resistance, PEBAX also performs well.

These characteristics make PEBAX a rising star in the field of shoe materials. In the fields of sports shoes, running shoes, etc., the application of PEBAX not only improves the lightweight and comfort of shoes, but also enhances the wear resistance and resilience of the sole. Therefore, PEBAX material has broad application prospects in the high-end shoe material market.

Biobased materials: a choice for green and sustainable development

Biobased materials are materials produced from biomass as raw materials or through biological manufacturing processes. These materials have the characteristics of green environmental protection, renewable raw materials, and biodegradability. In the field of shoe materials, the application of bio based materials not only conforms to the concept of sustainable development, but also enhances the performance and comfort of shoes.

For example, bio based fibers have been widely used in fields such as fashion and home furnishings, and are gradually being applied in shoe material production. Biobased fibers have good breathability and moisture absorption, making shoes more comfortable to wear. At the same time, the bio based materials also have excellent wear resistance and anti-aging performance, extending the service life of shoes.

Future Trends

As consumers' demands for shoe performance and comfort continue to rise, the shoe material industry will continue to increase its research and application efforts in new materials. In the future, the shoe material field will present the following trends:

1. Lightweight: Reducing the weight of shoes while ensuring performance will become an important development direction for the shoe materials industry. The research and application of new lightweight materials will promote the lightweighting process of shoe materials.

2. Environmental Protection: With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the shoe material industry will pay more attention to the environmental performance of materials. The application of environmentally friendly materials such as bio based materials and biodegradable materials will gradually become popular.

3. Intelligence: The research and application of intelligent shoe materials will become a new hotspot in the shoe materials industry. For example, by embedding sensors and intelligent chips, intelligent monitoring and adjustment functions of shoes can be achieved.

4. Personalization: With the increasing demand for personalization among consumers, the shoe material industry will pay more attention to product personalization and customized services. Through technologies such as 3D printing, personalized customization and mass production of shoes can be achieved.

In short, the application of new materials will promote the innovative development of the shoe material industry. In the future, the shoe material industry will continue to increase its research and application of new materials, continuously improve the performance and comfort of shoes, and meet the diverse needs of consumers.