Huntsman Set for Success at K2016 with Impressive Line Up of TPUs for Sports Applications

Osnabruck, GERMANY– Sports clothing and equipment manufacturers attending K2016 next week should visit Huntsman’s stand, where the business will launch a brand new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for the highly competitive sports footwear market.

The new ultra lightweight, high cushioning, 100% recyclable material will be unveiled on the first day of K2016. With tunable rebound properties this special TPU can be used to create soling systems with improved energy return – a highly desirable trait in sports footwear, particularly running shoes.

During K2016, Huntsman’s latest material innovation will be promoted alongside other specialist IROGRAN® and AVALON® TPU grades, which are renowned for improving the comfort, performance and durability of sports clothing, footwear and equipment.

Huntsman’s TPUs are widely used in the manufacture of sports and leisure goods, helping fitness enthusiasts lead an active, healthy life, and professional athletes train and perform at world-class events. Elastic, durable, and easy to color and print on, they can be injection molded to create a variety of items from specialist soles and inserts for running shoes, to tactile, soft touch, wearable, electronic fitness trackers. Equally, TPUs are ideal for extruding to create protective films for skis, snow and wakeboard surfaces; water bladders for hydration packs; and lightweight stretchable fabrics for athletic clothing.

Specific grades available for the manufacture of sports and leisure goods include:

  • AVALON® 95 AHT TPU – commonly used in the creation of soling systems for soccer shoes where a high degree of transparency and UV protection is desired
  • IROGRAN® A 60 E 4902 TPU – a long standing product that is proving increasingly popular in the lamination of fabrics for garments such as running and cycling tops where excellent adhesion, elastic properties and a soft feel are important
  • IROGRAN® A 85 E 4993 TPU – an incredibly durable TPU that can be used by sports equipment manufacturers to create belting systems for treadmills
  • AVALON® 85 AE TPU – a flexible, soft touch material that can be used to make wearable fitness trackers, which are comfortable to wear while working out.

Dr. Anja Weismann, Global Technology & Innovation Manager at Huntsman said: “Whether you work out in a gym, keep fit outdoors, or just like wearing sports clothing because it is comfortable, you probably come into regular contact with some form of TPU. The versatility of this material makes it incredibly popular across a range of sectors, including the sports and leisure market, where form and function are closely intertwined, and where materials must look good but must also be high performing. All of our TPUs for this specialist market are designed with those requirements in mind and we look forward to discussing potential projects with existing and new customers at K2016.”

Further information about Huntsman’s brand new TPU for the sports footwear sector will be revealed on the first day of K2016. For more information email: craig_roberts@huntsman.com. Alternatively, please visit the Huntsman TPU team at K2016 in Hall 5 at Stand A05.

 

AVALON® and IROGRAN® are registered trademarks of Huntsman Corporation or an affiliate thereof in one or more, but not all countries. 

© Copyright 2016. Huntsman Corporation or an affiliate thereof. All rights reserved.

About Huntsman:
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals with 2015 revenues of approximately $10 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 100 manufacturing and R&D facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 15,000 associates within our 5 distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

Social Media:
Twitter: twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman

Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors.  The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.

 

CONTACT:
Ilse Vanden Brande
Tel: + 32 (0) 2 758 94 20
Email: ilse_vanden_brande@huntsman.com