Huntsman and Shincell Create Fully Recyclable TPU Foam for Footwear
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS – Huntsman has developed a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is fully recyclable, UV protected and can be extruded into a film and then easily expanded into foamed sheets. The special grade of IROGRAN® TPU was developed by Huntsman, in conjunction with the Shincell New Material Company Ltd, which is using the material to create foam sheets that are then used in insole, midsole and forepart insert applications by some of the world’s leading footwear brands.
Designed as an alternative to EVA, the new material has high energy return properties and provides long-lasting cushioning performance. The TPU film can be easily expanded in a high-pressure vessel, using gas assisted technology, and without the use of additional chemicals typically needed for foaming or cross-linking. This makes the resulting expanded foam sheet, and any post-production scraps and final footwear components, super lightweight and easy to recycle.
Huntsman developed the grade of IROGRAN® TPU after in-depth discussions with Shincell about how best to improve the production of expanded TPU sheets, which are growing in popularity across the footwear sector. During a technical briefing, Shincell revealed it had several objectives. From a manufacturing perspective, Shincell wanted a TPU grade that would increase its productivity, help it reduce waste and cut overall energy consumption. Shincell wanted to specify a TPU that was free of toxic or volatile chemicals and formaldehyde residues; and could be expanded without the use of butane, fluoride and azodicarbonamide foaming agents. When it came to performance, Shincell was looking for a comfortable, durable, long-lasting TPU system that would be suitable for use in high performance sports shoes, would outperform EVA in terms of cushioning set properties, and be recyclable.
Dr Xiulei Jiang, founder of Shincell said: “As a business, we are focused on providing our customers with clean, environmentally friendly, high performance, lightweight materials. When we decided to find a partner to help us improve the sustainability of our foam sheets, I knew Huntsman was the company to talk to. My relationship with Huntsman predates the creation of Shincell. Huntsman has always provided me with a consistently high level of support, and I knew our strong working relationship and shared core values would bring this project to fruition quickly and efficiently. As always, Huntsman did not disappoint. The team has come up with a very special product that satisfies all of our requirements. We see numerous novel applications for this versatile, recyclable material within footwear, and beyond.”
For footwear applications, Shincell produces expanded foam sheets that its customers then cut into the shapes and sizes they want. Because this particular grade of IROGRAN® TPU is recyclable, Shincell can collect any excess or scrap material from its customers for reuse. Upon collection the scraps are ground down and reformulated. They can also be sold on to other customers.
Yi Li, Business Development Manager at Huntsman, said: “Shincell came to us with a really clear vision and set of technical requirements. It was great to work together on this project and create such a novel material. The fact that it can be expanded, without the use of chemicals, and easily recycled is a game changer. We are sure news of its development will generate lots of interest from material specifiers in different parts of the footwear sector.”
Shincell is currently testing the new grade of IROGRAN® TPU for other consumer applications and is exploring the potential to use the material in the automotive industry. Other softer grades of the material are also in the development pipeline.
For more information, please contact: donna_quah@huntsman.com
###
For more information about Shincell New Material Company Ltd, visit www.shincell.com.
About Huntsman:
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2020 revenues of approximately $6 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 70 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 9,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.
Social Media:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman
CONTACT:
Kimi Bahret
kimi_bahret@huntsman.com
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information in this release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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 under the caption "Risk Factors" 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, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman’s operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions, timing of proposed transactions, and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses and realize anticipated cost savings, and other 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.
Huntsman Polyurethanes warrants only that its products meet the specifications agreed with the buyer. Typical properties, where stated, are to be considered as representative of current production and should not be treated as specifications.
While all the information and recommendations in this publication are to the best of our knowledge, information and belief accurate at the date of publication, NO GUARANTY, WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION IS MADE, INTENDED OR IMPLIED AS TO THE CORRECTNESS OR SUFFICIENCY OF ANY INFORMATION OR RECOMMENDATION OR AS TO THE MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS OF ANY PRODUCTS FOR ANY PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE. IN ALL CASES, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER TO DETERMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF SUCH INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE SUITABILITY OF ANY PRODUCT FOR ITS OWN PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
NOTHING IN THIS PUBLICATION IS TO BE CONSTRUED AS RECOMMENDING THE INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT AND NO LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY SUCH INFRINGEMENT IS ASSUMED. NOTHING IN THIS PUBLICATION IS TO BE VIEWED AS A LICENCE UNDER ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT.
Products may be toxic and require special precautions in handling. The user should obtain Safety Data Sheets from Huntsman Polyurethanes containing detailed information on toxicity, together with proper shipping, handling and storage procedures, and should comply with all applicable safety and environmental standards.
Hazards, toxicity and behaviour of the products may differ when used with other materials and are dependent on the manufacturing circumstances or other processes. Such hazards, toxicity and behaviour should be determined by the user and made known to handlers, processors and end users.
Huntsman Polyurethanes is an international business unit of Huntsman International LLC. Huntsman Polyurethanes trades through Huntsman affiliated companies in different countries such as Huntsman International LLC in the USA and Huntsman Holland BV in Western Europe.
Except where explicitly agreed otherwise, the sale of products referred to in this publication is subject to the general terms and conditions of sale of Huntsman International LLC or of its affiliated companies.
IROGRAN® is a registered trademark of Huntsman Corporation or an affiliate thereof in one or more, but not all, countries.
© Copyright 2021. Huntsman Corporation or an affiliate thereof. All rights reserved.