Komatsu Seiren and Nextec sign agreement on footwear waterproofing technology
Japanese chemical multinational company, Komatsu Seiren co. Ltd, a producer of functional polyurethane films and
Nextec’s machine provides the lamination of 3D semi-finished products, which allows footwear manufacturers to improve the comfort of shoes, whilst saving labour, to manufacture waterproof footwear. Komatsu Seiren will provide the necessary material – a waterproof, breathable textile/membranes - used in the OutDry process and will support the technological development of Nextec by offering full access to its research department and offering Nextec a six-year soft loan.
Nextec has granted Komatsu Seiren the option on its future business in the Far-East area and the OutDry exclusive patent license for the Japanese market, where several customers are present, amongst them Mont-Bell, leading manufacturer and retailer of mountaineering gear.
Today OutDry is used by a number of footwear manufacturers including Gronell, Lizard, Woolrich, and recently Uniflair-Panther in the safety-shoe sector.
