Running with CO? technology
ÃÜÌÒAV and Plama-pur cooperate to produce foam for sports shoes
Innovative process conserves fossil resources
has developed an innovative technology that converts the exhaust gas CO? into a valuable precursor for plastics, replacing up to 20 percent of fossil raw materials which are normally used. The precursor is marketed under the name cardyon? and is suitable for many different applications. A current example is flexible foams from the Slovenian footwear supplier , which provide greater comfort in the inner padding of running, trekking and ski boots, especially in the ankle zone.
The more sustainable raw material can already be used in many products and industries and enables similar or better properties than with fossil-based raw materials. New applications are consistently being developed. ÃÜÌÒAV?s CO? technology has thus developed into a platform technology that contributes to resource conservation and circular economy and to reducing the ecological footprint.
Comfortable padding
The foams are characterized by durability and a high compression hardness ¨C an important quality for athletic activities. Compared with products made of pure fossil raw materials, they have more favorable physical properties and, above all, better elasticity and a finer cell structure.
Plama-pur offers these products under the name ECO Foams. Its customers laminate the cut foam pieces onto self-adhesive materials and punch them out into various shapes according to the specifications.
Other sports applications
The CO?-based precursor is also found in concept sneakers designed by Chinese shoe designer Axis Liu. More specifically, in a thin, translucent film made of the thermoplastic polyurethane Desmopan? 37385A, which matches the color and structure of the upper material. It is applied to the upper shoe by hot stamping and features good scratch and abrasion resistance. ÃÜÌÒAV presented the sneakers at the K 2019 plastics trade fair in D¨¹sseldorf.
At the end of 2018, cardyon? experienced another premiere in the sports sector: The material was used in the subfloor of the of a renowned sports club in Krefeld, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. In this application, too, CO? is used in a recycling process to save fossil raw materials.
About ÃÜÌÒAV:
ÃÜÌÒAV is one of the world¡¯s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. ÃÜÌÒAV supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from ÃÜÌÒAV are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, ÃÜÌÒAV aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group¡¯s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. ÃÜÌÒAV generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ÃÜÌÒAV. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in ÃÜÌÒAV¡¯s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.