Covestro’s CO₂ technology conserves fossil raw materials in sports shoe manufaturing

These concept shoes contain CO₂: in a thin, transparent film on the toe of the shoe made of thermoplastic polyurethane. In a raw material of the film called cardyon®, up to 20 percent of the previously used fossil-based raw materials can be replaced by CO₂. © Covestro

(PRESS RELEASE) LEVERKUSEN, 2-Mar-2021 — /EuropaWire/ — Covestro announces that it has developed an innovative technology that converts the exhaust gas CO₂ into a valuable precursor for plastics. The precursor, replacing up to 20 percent of fossil raw materials which are normally used, is marketed under the name cardyon® and is suitable for many different applications. A good example is flexible foams from Covestro’s partner the Slovenian footwear supplier Plama-pur, which provide greater comfort in the inner padding of running, trekking and ski boots, especially in the ankle zone. Covestro and Plama-pur cooperate to produce a more sustainable foam for sports shoes.

The more sustainable raw material can already be used in many products and industries and enables similar or better properties than with fossil-based raw materials. New applications are consistently being developed. Covestro´s CO₂ technology has thus developed into a platform technology that contributes to resource conservation and circular economy and to reducing the ecological footprint.

Comfortable padding

The foams are characterized by durability and a high compression hardness – an important quality for athletic activities. Compared with products made of pure fossil raw materials, they have more favorable physical properties and, above all, better elasticity and a finer cell structure.

Plama-pur offers these products under the name ECO Foams. Its customers laminate the cut foam pieces onto self-adhesive materials and punch them out into various shapes according to the specifications.

Other sports applications

The CO₂-based precursor is also found in concept sneakers designed by Chinese shoe designer Axis Liu. More specifically, in a thin, translucent film made of the thermoplastic polyurethane Desmopan® 37385A, which matches the color and structure of the upper material. It is applied to the upper shoe by hot stamping and features good scratch and abrasion resistance. Covestro presented the sneakers at the K 2019 plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf.

At the end of 2018, cardyon® experienced another premiere in the sports sector: The material was used in the subfloor of the field hockey facility of a renowned sports club in Krefeld, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In this application, too, CO₂ is used in a recycling process to save fossil raw materials.

About Covestro:

With 2020 sales of EUR 10.7 billion, Covestro is among the world’s leading polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. In doing so, Covestro is fully committed to the circular economy. The main industries served are the automotive and transportation industries, construction, furniture and wood processing, as well as electrical, electronics, and household appliances industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics, health and the chemical industry itself. At the end of 2020, Covestro has 33 production sites worldwide and employs approximately 16,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

Media contact:

Dr. Frank Rothbarth
Global External Communications / Trade Media
+49 214 6009 2536
+49 175 3025363

SOURCE: Covestro AG