The Footwear Forum - Latest Selection

The Uppers category showcases a variety of impressive materials, including innovative leather options and natural compositions, all aligning with a strong focus on sustainability. Submissions reflect an increasing demand for recycled and bio-based materials, demonstrating the industry's commitment to more responsible production methods.
Several high-quality leather variants featured prominently, offering stylish and durable solutions that meet the growing demand for natural and sustainable options. Two notable reflective fabrics were submitted, further emphasizing functionality and safety alongside sustainability. Highlights: The DyeCoo Group: 100% recycled Polyester warp spacer knitted fabric for upper mesh. Dyed using CO₂ dyeing technology, which eliminates water, chemicals, and wastewater treatment in the dyeing process. A carbon-advantage solution that supports sustainable production while helping customers achieve their environmental targets.
FOV Fabrics: A fabric featuring Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) blended with PA 6.6, offering exceptional strength and durability. Specifically designed for reinforcement in shoes, this material is ideal for applications requiring long-lasting performance.
Increasingly popular in this category, bio-based materials are paving the way for more eco-friendly shoe uppers. The acceptance of recycled parts continues to rise, signaling the industry's dedication to circularity and reducing environmental impact.

The 3D mesh & spacer category showcases a diverse range of 3D structures, offering exciting possibilities for footwear uppers with a focus on innovative design and sustainability. The materials presented demonstrate a wide array of textures and designs, providing excellent options for creating functional and aesthetically appealing footwear uppers. A growing emphasis on sustainable practices is evident in this category, with notable submissions highlighting reduced environmental impact. A 3D mesh material from DyeCoo stands out as a game-changer in the footwear industry. Dyed using CO₂ dyeing technology, which eliminates water and chemical waste during the dyeing process, making it a pioneering solution for sustainable production. This is one of the first applications of this technology in the footwear sector, marking a significant step forward in eco-friendly manufacturing.

The sole category surprises with a wide range of innovative materials and compounds, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable footwear production. Suppliers present unexpected solutions that merge natural and recycled materials to create high-performance, eco-friendly soles. A notable innovation in the sole category is the use of natural rubber combined with algae and seaweed, specifically from Bloom. This material leverages sustainably harvested algae to replace traditional petrochemical compounds, offering a more eco-friendly and renewable alternative for soles. Suppliers are increasingly experimenting with these innovative compounds, blending natural materials with recycled and biobased components to create more sustainable soles. Michelin’s new sole technology boasts an impressive 90% biobased material content, with 26% recycled rubber. This development marks a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of footwear soles without compromising on performance or durability.

Here, you'll find a wide range of new, beautiful options. Oyester rope Nylon, recycled Polyester, carbon capture PU or solvent free PU and PET from textile waste. Really outstanding and therefore awarded for a Jury Like - Sugarcup BioFoam von Fullstride Ventures LLC  made from 83% renewable, sustainable sugarcane. Sugarcup BioFoam production requires less energy, less water, and reduces the bra pad carbon footprint by 71% compared to polyurethane pads. Sugarcup BioFoam is Oeko-Tex Standard 100, USDA biobased product, and Bonsucro global sugarcane platform. Another highlight: DualEco Shield, an innovative double-layer fabric made entirely from 100% recycled polyester textile waste, ushering in a new era of sustainability in functional fashion, Reflective fabrics with high visibility illuminate by reflecting the light that hits their surface.

In the accessories sector, it is clear that it also possible to work sustainably in terms of laces, zippers, buckles, clips, eyelets and ribbons. The jury was particularly impressed by a new variant of a cord stopper from SAB Europe made from 100% TPU, which stands out due to its softness, lightness, compact size, and minimal impact.The Lacing Loop V provides a fashionable look for lace loop adjuster to easy pick up and adjust the lace system. It is made with Azolyx, a bio-mass based POM material which can be biodegradable under anaerobic condition with remarkable 99.13% biodegradation rate in 510 days (1.4 years) tested under ASTM D5511. Another highlight: a 100% recycled polyester tape, treated with DWR water based (PFAS FREE) and printed with water based screen printing inks.

The complete shoe category showcases a strong focus on sustainability, combining innovative materials and advanced technologies to create high-performance, eco-conscious footwear. These shoes represent the latest trend in footwear design, where functionality and sustainability go hand in hand.
Several entries feature soles made from recycled rubber, providing excellent durability and performance while reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional materials. Eco-traceable leather is used in some shoes, offering transparency in sourcing and production, and aligning with the demand for more responsible practices in the footwear industry. Shoes like those from Ecoalf integrate recycled PET and high-end technical features. These include anti-abrasion Nylon, recycled PU, and modern knitting techniques to create lightweight and breathable uppers. Shoes from brands like Vanbestco feature knitted uppers made from a blend of wool and RPET, replacing traditional elastic bands for a minimalist design. Flyknit uses a combination of wool and RPET velvet for the footbed, ensuring barefoot comfort while also prioritizing eco-friendly materials. The Michelin® Hybrid compound used in the outsoles of several shoes, such as Ride’s snowboard boot and Ecoalf’s trainers, incorporated up to 37.5% recycled rubber, highlighting the push toward sustainable performance in footwear. GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification is featured in several shoes, ensuring the use of recycled materials throughout production, from the upper to the sole.

The lining category emerges as the largest and one of the most diverse areas at the event, showcasing a wide variety of thermal linings designed to provide comfort and functionality while aligning with sustainability standards.
A significant focus is placed on materials that deliver thermal insulation, making them ideal for both footwear and apparel applications. Approximately 80% of the linings feature wool, a testament to its superior performance properties and growing popularity in sustainable design. Nearly all submitted materials containe sustainable content and are supported by an impressive range of certifications, ensuring their environmental and ethical credibility. Several of the linings presented are not only suitable for footwear but also extend their use to apparel, highlighting their versatility and appeal to multiple segments of the textile industry.

The lining membranes category features an unprecedented variety of materials, with major innovations in waterproof solutions, designed to elevate comfort and performance for footwear in all weather conditions. The focus is particularly on waterproof shoes, as manufacturers sought to meet the growing demand for sustainable and high-performance footwear. eVent® StormST: Mid-weight, PTFE-free laminate, this 4-layer material is made of 60% plant-based content and ensures comfort and protection even in cold and wet conditions. Key features: High waterproofness, excellent breathability, and durability, making it perfect for sustainable footwear. The combination of a 100% Polyester white knit face fabric, open cell foam, and the eVent® StormST Membrane offers dry and comfortable feet while remaining environmentally friendly.
Sympatex with Caserta NW EU: An innovative membrane solution combining 100% recycled polyester for both lining and nonwoven layers, replacing traditional polyurethane foam. This change delivers a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 15% reduction in water consumption, marking a significant step in making footwear more sustainable without compromising comfort or performance.

The Focus Topic at this year’s PERFORMANCE DAYS showcases a strong selection of entries, underscoring a significant trend toward sustainability in footwear materials. It is encouraging to see an increasing number of submissions featuring a variety of certifications, signaling a clear market shift towards sustainable practices.The number of sustainable certifications featured in the footwear entries is a positive sign of progress. These certifications — such as bluesign, OEKO-TEX®, and Cradle to Cradle — help ensure that products meet high standards of environmental and social responsibility. This growing presence in the footwear sector demonstrates that sustainability is not just a trend, but a fundamental shift in how brands are approaching product development.The strong presence of certified materials sends a clear message to the market that sustainability is becoming non-negotiable for the footwear industry. This signals to consumers and manufacturers alike that ethical production and eco-friendly solutions are at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.The entries aligne perfectly with the overall Trend Forum at the event, creating a cohesive message that emphasizes responsible innovation in textiles and footwear. This alignment reinforces the importance of both functionality and sustainability, ensuring that products are not only high-performing but also have a positive impact on the planet.