BASF at Simac 2023: Say hello to the Footure! Sustainable and innovative solutions for the footwear industry

• More sustainability: Mechanical recycling of PU
• More comfort: Advanced processing technologies for insoles
• More future: Pioneering design concepts

Under the motto "Say hello to the Footure!” BASF presents new concepts and futuristic design ideas for sole and shoe production at Simac Tanning Tech 2023, the international trade fair for machinery and technology for the footwear and leather industry, which takes place from 19-21 September in Milan, Italy. Implementing sustainability at all levels is BASF’s declared goal. In the footwear sector, there are numerous innovations and sustainable material developments that will be presented at the BASF stand, Hall 14, booth K47/L48.

Circular Footure: Mechanical recycling of PU to create new soles

Circular economy is one of the major topics in all PU sectors. BASF will present a process that makes it possible to use granulated PU waste, e.g. from sole production, to produce new soles. The decisive factor for this process is that BASF has developed PU foams with thermoplastic properties that can be processed together with TPU in the injection molding process. This creates high-quality TPU soles or other components on the shoe with a recycled content of up to 30%. "In order to achieve the goals of a circular economy, it is important to develop new systems that help preserve resources and reduce emissions in all phases of make – use – recycle. BASF is ready for the circular economy and a partner for sustainable sole production," says Felix Willenbrink, Marketing Manager Footwear, Sports and Leisure at BASF Polyurethanes. But the cycle goes even further – through the intelligent combination of materials from BASF’s polyurethane portfolio. This is demonstrated by the cooperation with the bicycle saddle manufacturer Ergon. Only PU and TPU products were used in the newly designed SR Allroad Circular bicycle saddle to enable joint mechanical recycling at the end of its usage period.

Footuristic Feelings: High-quality and comfortable insoles
High-quality insoles are the heart of a shoe. BASF offers PU products for different production processes. The property profile of soles produced by the casting process can be precisely adjusted to the requirements of the system and offers the highest performance. Soles produced in the thermoforming process are particularly light and breathable. An exceptionally comfortable and economical choice.

Infinergy^®: Continuation of the success story

BASF has launched a new generation of Infinergy^® E-TPU beads that can be processed into footwear components – simply by heat press. This eases the manufacturing and provides a lower carbon footprint. The technology further shows high flexibility of midsole designs and possibilities of additional components.

Footuristic Combinations: Polyurethane meets 3D printing

This year’s competition at the Calzaturiero Politecnico Design School, Padua is all about futuristic concepts that combine classic processes such as casting and injection molding with 3D printing – exclusively with PU materials. 3D printed applications have long since found their way into the footwear industry. BASF Forward AM presents itself as a partner for 3D printing in the footwear industry. The Ultrasim^® 3D Lattice Engine makes it easy to generate and experience complex designs. 3D printing adds value to the final shoe and offers opportunities for the development of new models.

Footuristic Surfaces: NovaCoat-P and NovaCoat-D

Also to be seen on the stand are sustainable, highly elastic coating solutions for the footwear industry that protect and functionalise flexible surfaces in a wide variety of colours and effects. They set new standards in design possibilities, individualisation and process optimisation. NovaCoat-P is a post-mold coating solution to protect surfaces from various environmental influences. NovaCoat-D combines in-mold coating and release agent in a new way.

Visit us at Simac, Milan; Hall 14, Booth K47/L48; Simac 2023 (basf.com)

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division is at the forefront of the much-needed sustainability transformation in plastics. Our products are co-created with customers around the globe to bring innovations to four major industry sectors – transportation, consumer goods, industrial applications, and construction. Our R&D focuses on all stages of the plastics journey: Make, Use and Recycle. The MAKE phase is about improving how plastics are made, from product design to the choice of raw materials and the manufacturing process itself. The USE phase enhances plastics’ strengths such as light weight, robustness, and thermal resistance. At the end of the product lifecycle, the RECYCLE phase looks at how to close the loop to achieve a circular economy. In 2022, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €8.5 billion. Join #ourplasticsjourney at: www.plastics.basf.com

About BASF 3D Printing Solutions

BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, is a 100% subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbH. It focuses on establishing and expanding the business under the Forward AM brand with advanced materials, system solutions, components, and services in the field of 3D printing. BASF 3D Printing Solutions is organized into startup-like structures to serve customers

in the dynamic 3D printing market. It cooperates closely with the global research platforms and application technologies of various departments at BASF and with research institutes, universities, startups, and industrial partners. Potential customers are primarily companies that intend to use 3D printing for industrial manufacturing. Typical industries include automotive, aerospace and consumer goods. For further information visit: www.forward-am.com

About BASF’s Coatings division

BASF’s Coatings division has global expertise in the development, production and marketing of innovative automotive and automotive refinish coatings, architectural coatings and applied surface engineering of metal, plastic and glass substrates for numerous industries. This portfolio is complemented by "Beyond Paint Solutions", which enable new applications with innovative surfaces. We create forward-looking solutions and promote innovation, design and new application possibilities to meet the needs of our partners worldwide. Our customers benefit from our expertise and the resources of interdisciplinary, global teams in Europe, North America, South America and Asia-Pacific. In 2022, the Coatings division generated global sales of approximately €4.2 billion.
Solutions beyond your imagination – Coatings by BASF. More about BASF’s Coatings division at www.basf-coatings.com