Economics Driving Increased Use Of Polyurethane In Footwear Applications
Salt Lake City, UT – The rapidly changing global footwear market for polyurethane applications has shown growth over the years. According to industry expert Steve Lee, founder of U.K.-based Steve Lee Associates speaking at both footwear technical sessions at the global Polyurethanes Conference 2006, Company added that the Lee identified several drivers for continued growth in footwear, including: the rapid pace of polyurethane innovation, the functional and economic advantages of polyurethane compared with competitive materials, and the expansion of polyurethane into non-sole footwear applications. The non-sole applications include foam linings, water-proof barriers, coated uppers, sole inserts, upper components, heel counters and sickliness (also known as insoles or foot beds).
Sponsored by the Alliance for the Polyurethanes Industry (API), the Conference's first Footwear technical session featured: 1) Scientists from Spain-based Synthesia Española, s.a. reporting the development of new polyester polyols for low-density PU shoe soles; 2) U.S.-based GE Advanced Materials unveiling a series of improved catalyst and surfactant additives for low-density, water-blown microcellular PU foams used in shoe soles; 3) Representatives from Dow Chemical's global footwear development center in Italy introducing a new family of thermoset polyester PU polymers with enhanced hydrolysis resistance for footwear; 4) Scientists from Germany-based DESMA presenting new methods for combining different materials in two-layer soles.
during the second Footwear technical session of global Polyurethanes Conference 2006, scientists from U.K.-based Uniqema announced the development of novel technology for polyester PU soles with improved hydrolysis resistance. Representatives from U.S.-based Huntsman Polyurethanes described an innovative new family of lightweight expanded thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) that exhibit outstanding flex life, wear resistance and slip resistance in shoe sole applications. A second paper by DESMA scientists announced a lower density TPU for shoe soles with reduced cycle times, which they developed in tandem with Sulzer Chemtech of Switzerland. Chem-Trend L.P. of Howell, Michigan, reported on various new mold-release agent (MRA) technologies that not only provide the release of molded parts, but also improve process efficiency and contribute to the overall performance and final appearance of PU shoe soles.
SOURCE: API and Polyurethanes Conference 2006