Texas, US – Huntsman has introduced a new range of thermoplastic polyurethanes for the footwear sector. The Avalon Gecko TPUs have good grip and durability, the company said, and were designed with circularity in mind. The portfolio includes soft products (Shore 60-65A) that have good abrasion resistance.
Huntsman said the inspiration for the materials was the extraordinary grip of geckos, giving comparable slip performance to rubber in both wet and dry conditions. They have potential in running, hiking and safety shoes, it said.
There are three grades in the range. Avalon 6044 AG is an opaque, injectable grade with potential in safety shoes. It has fast cycle times for improved productivity, the company said.
Avalon 6053 AG is a transparent extrusion grade optimised for running shoes that allows outsoles that are up to 50% lighter than conventional outsoles to be manufactured, while retaining performance, durability and quality. And Avalon 6055 AG is a transparent injectable grade that gives good wet slip performance.
All three products in the range can give adhesive-free bonding when paired with other TPU midsole materials. They can be mechanically recycled with minimal impact on material performance, Huntsman said. They are also easy to colour and engineered to create a variety of textures and surface finishes.
“The feedback we’ve received from customers that have tested Avalon Gecko TPU products has been incredibly positive,” said Matthew Canoy, Huntsman’s global marketing director for PU elastomers. “We are excited to launch the range and continue our conversations with footwear brands that want to get a gecko-like grip in their soling applications.”
