Bio-based materials refer to new materials whose raw materials are derived from renewable natural resources, such as corn, cassava, wheat, potato, cellulose, palm oil, etc., which are environmentally friendly, renewable raw materials, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly. It should be noted that bio-based materials are not equivalent to bio-degradable materials. Bio-based materials emphasize the source, and bio-degradable materials are environmentally friendly after disposal.
The bio-based materials currently used in sport’s shoes include natural plant fiber, natural rubber, bio-based TPU, etc. Although the concept is good, bio-based materials will face the defect of decreased physical properties, and there are still relatively significant developments in technology and technology space.
Adidas’ latest 3D printed shoe 4DFWD: The mesh midsole comprises 39% bio-based 3D materials. The process should be printed with bio-based monomers, but the official did not disclose the specific materials.
Reebok (Reebok) running shoes Floatride GROW: the upper part of the shoe is mainly made of eucalyptus, and its sole is made of castor bean and natural rubber.
Burberry leather sneakers: the sole is made of bio-based TPU
Biodegradable shoe materials are still in the layout stage
At present, some shoe materials will mention that they are biodegradable, but many are modified by adding starch, EVA, rubber, etc. The tiny EVA particles of this modified shoe material after starch degradation will still have a long-term impact on the environment. Therefore, in the strict sense, it is not a true biodegradable shoe material.
Only shoe materials prepared by introducing biodegradable materials such as PLA and PBAT can genuinely be called biodegradable shoe materials. It can be seen that Anta already has layout-related patents.
An Anta patent “A preparation method of high resilience biodegradable polyester micro-foam profile”: PBAT is made into a sheet, followed by supercritical foaming treatment, and finally heat treatment in a mold to obtain a density of 0.15 ~0.21g/cm3 of PBAT foam profile, the rebound rate is 55%~58%, and the biodegradation rate after 30 days under composting condition is 51%~55%.
Non-Newtonian fluid materials: a new favorite from the field of security protection
Non-Newtonian fluid material is a material with unique dynamic mechanical properties. Under different impact speeds and impact energy conditions, the mechanical state of this material can change from fluid to elastomer or from elastomer to rigid solid.
This characteristic is also called adaptive. Sound familiar? That’s right, the P4U black technology of Peak’s adaptive midsole is a non-Newtonian fluid material. It is innovatively applied to the EVA composite midsole by Peak. When you are walking, it will give you cotton candy-like softness and comfort. Feel; when you run, it will give you sticky Q bombs to enjoy.
Although non-Newtonian fluid materials have unique dynamic mechanical properties, there is a disadvantage of using them to make shoes. That is, they are heavy. Therefore, Peak does not use it alone to make the midsole of sports shoes. It is all fancy composite modification. EVA+P4U is not strong, so we can simply add another nylon elastomer, and supercritical foaming technology is also integrated.
In addition to Peak, Anta also has shoes that use non-Newtonian fluid materials. It is Smart S.A.M, smart shock-absorbing technology. KT6 basketball shoes and Xingluan running shoes have applications.
Anta KT6 basketball shoes added a small piece of Smart S.A.M smart shock absorption technology.
It should be noted that non-Newtonian fluid materials can be prepared with different ingredients, and accordingly, there will be specific different types. Therefore, Peak’s PAU and Anta’s Smart S.A.M are not the same non-Newtonian fluid material.