Milan, Italy – BASF plans to launch Elastopan ULD polyurethane slipper sole systems at Simac, a footwear technology and machinery tradeshow.
The slipper systems have density about 30% less than conventional products.
Typically, density ranges from 280 to 200 kg/m3 and the systems are easy to process, the company said.
Elasopan ULD sole materials can produce soles that are softer and more comfortable than traditional materials, BASF added.
Additionally, the company will be showcasing its footwear app. This is a product finder which details processing conditions for BASF footwear products. It allows users to ask experts questions and also gives details of successful projects, BASF said.
Finally, BASF will display footwear from a group of Italian footwear design students at the Politecnico Calzaturiero at the event.
These include: Blood Diamond, inspired by the trade in Sierra Leone, by Diego Turrin; Greta Concolato said her model 'connects the urban landscape with recycling.' Meanwhile, Marco Degan's hybrid shoe can be worn as a sandal or a boot.
Finally, Nicolo Guido's design divides the shoe into two hemispheres. One is of man, the other is of nature. A section designed as a hand grenade links the two.
Simac Tanning Tech runs in Milan from 20-22 February 2018.
