BASF opens US Footwear Development Center

Wyandotte, Michigan – BASF has opened a second footwear development centre, following on from its existing centre in Italy. The new centre is located in Michigan.

It is a 185 m² lab equipped with footwear machinery for outsole, midsole and unit sole developments. BASF claims it helps designers 'bring their visions to life’, and allows new products to reach the market more quickly using prototype production via polyurethane direct injection moulding.

‘Through the Footwear Development Center, BASF is helping customers drive innovation in the footwear industry and making the future happen now,' said Pete Zorney, BASF’s business director for consumer in North America.

A third centre for the Asian market is slated to open in 2020, in Taiwan.