BASF lets the moisture out and the air in with new Elastogran
Working with shoe designers, plastics experts at BASF's subsidiary Elastogran have developed the ‘360-degree ventilation system’.
Featured in the latest ‘ClimaCool’ collection from adidas, the new components are inserted into every part of the shoe allowing fresh air to circulate freely. With the system, fine-mesh ventilation panels in the soles permit fresh air to flow into the shoe from below. At the same time, a special insole acts like a fan, circulating the air inside the shoe. The result says BASF is a 20 percent reduction of heat generation. Fine membranes allow any moisture build-up to escape, but also keep water out in wet conditions.
This new ventilation technology has been made possible by Elastollan, a special thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU). More flexible, more robust and with a longer life than most conventional footwear plastics, TPU elastomer is used by both adidas and Nike in the soles, reinforcements, protective tips and shock absorbers of their sports shoes.
BASF is also shortly due to present a further breakthrough in conjunction with Nike: running shoes without shoelaces or Velcro fastenings. In these shoes, the foot is surrounded by a TPU mesh, ensuring that the shoe stays in place.
