The world's first biodegradable circular foam material for footwear
Currently, the main foam materials used in the field of shoe materials are EVA, TPU, etc. Other foam materials are relatively inexpensive and account for a relatively small proportion of applications. Based on environmental sustainability, people are constantly seeking high-performance, low energy consumption, environmentally friendly, and low-cost materials.
Recently, Ortholite and Novamont established a partnership to develop the world's first circular foam material solution for the footwear industry - OrthoLite Cirql. Ortholite is a global insole and footwear material solution company focused on sustainability, high-performance, and comfort. Novamont is the first company in the world to industrialize biodegradable, compostable bioplastics, and biochemicals.
OrthoLite Cirql does not contain "permanent chemicals", and its materials are derived from plant based non GMO traditional vegetable raw materials and synthetic biodegradable materials. This material can be recycled through low energy consumption and advanced chemical recovery processes, which can help the material maintain a compostable state and return to nature during use and through industrial composting processes. The material particles of OrthoLite Cirql are biodegradable like natural polymers such as cellulose, helping to avoid the persistent accumulation of microplastics.
At the same time, Novamont has developed a customized biopolymer material for OrthoLite Cirql's chemical free foaming process, which uses nitrogen and renewable energy. Unlike traditional foaming processes currently used, OrthoLite Cirql does not use hazardous/toxic chemical additives in its production, and biopolymer particles melt under extreme pressure and mix with liquid nitrogen. A unique injection molding process allows for efficient circulation, Thereby reducing energy consumption and manufacturing finished parts without downtime, aggregation, or waste.
