Polyurethane is a very suitable material for footwear of all styles, although it is most present in sports, due to its high impact absorption and resistance. But we can also find any fashion design made with polyurethane.
Thus, synthetic leather or leatherette is widely used in footwear and clothing. It offers a wide variety of styles, formats, and finishes. It has a high mechanical resistance (to perforation, tearing and breakage) and durability, and is very comfortable in footwear. Light, comfortable and durable, waterproof and breathable shoes and sneakers can be made with it. In addition, it is a sustainable and vegan material. But polyurethane is present in all parts of footwear, including the cut itself, but also in insoles, tongues, midsoles, and soles.
The polyurethane in the soles of shoes and sneakers provides these benefits:
The use of recycled polyurethane foams is a sustainable option, as it saves resources and avoids waste, thus obtaining soles of the highest quality. To recycle polyurethane, chemical processes such as glycolysis are used, whereby polymer chains are broken down to return to the initial polyol. Once this is done, various substances are added to create new, ready-to-use materials with the same strength requirements as the original soles. It is an example of innovation at the service of the circular economy, giving a second life to waste and adding value to it.
Safety footwear made of polyurethane is light, comfortable, and resistant. It protects against the impact of heavy weights. The sole effectively absorbs impacts and resists high temperatures, In addition to being slip-resistant.
Its versatility allows to design a type of footwear for the needs of each work environment, reducing fatigue and guaranteeing safety. In addition, the low-density open-cell polyurethane foam applied to the sole pad adapts to each foot, offering comfort and support during long working days.