Dow launches new compounds for footwear with Italian partners

23 Oct '09

4 min read

“We believe these new compounds could provide molders currently using Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) the opportunity to target traditional polyurethane strongholds, offering more market potential and enabling them to serve a wider range of brand owners' needs,” said Lorenzo Brunetti, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at A.P.I. “The materials are processed in the same way as EVA meaning no additional capital investment is required, yet they produce lower density foams with improved dynamic properties and durability, making access to higher end applications possible.”

XTD compounds are designed to provide molders supplying high to medium casual/fashion and multi-functional shoes segments with a lighter weight alternative to traditional thermoplastic engineering polymers, which deliver required properties but can be 30 percent heavier than thermoplastic rubber.The materials also can provide a preferable solution to thermoplastic rubber, which supports weight demands but does not perform as well against criteria such as abrasion resistance, tear strength and mechanical properties.

“Molders currently using thermoplastic engineering polymers will be particularly pleased to hear that the new compounds can be used as a 'drop-in' solution in existing equipment and tooling,as only a slight change in processing set-up is required,” explained Gianni Perozzi, Technical Manager at GoldenPlast. “We've also worked hard alongside Dow to achieve a material with better processability, which can lead to potential reductions in the amount of raw material required.”

The Dow Chemical Company

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