Footwear Sole Material; Polyurethane is Commonly Used to Manufacture Footwear Sole
Footwear sole materials are used to manufacture the bottom part of the shoes. The material is produced from various materials, such as plastic, rubber, and petrochemical-derived products. Rubber can be classified into synthetic rubber and natural rubber. Plastic, on the other hand, can be classified into Polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, ethyl vinyl acetate, and among others. These materials provide fashion and comfort and allow to perform various outdoor activities. Moreover, these materials provide a high level of resilience and stiffness. Polyurethane is used most commonly to manufacture footwear sole as it offers excellent durability and flexibility.
Footwear manufacturers are reaping the benefits of technological advancements such as the adoption of advanced materials and methods in shoe production. The future of footwear sole material industry appears promising with great opportunities in non-athletic and athletic shoes. Moreover, there is a marked shift towards customized and personal footwear with brands catering to the individual needs of consumers. Innovation in shoe technology and new designs are bringing about positive changes in the industry. The demand for footwear sole material will remain strong and hence, the supply chain will be able to withstand increasing demand.
In the past few years, demand for footwear sole material has increased due to various factors, such as shifting preferences of consumers towards outdoor activities (such as cycling, running, walking, etc.), increasing number of health-conscious people, and increasing participation of consumers in sports and fitness-related activities. According to World Bank (2018), in 2018, Mexico exported approximately 657,870 thousand dollars of footwear to the United States. The top partner countries to which Mexico exports footwear include Canada, Germany, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the United States.
Thus, with the increasing demand for footwear across the world, the demand for footwear sole material is also increasing rapidly. Polyurethane soles are flexible, resilient, lightweight, and have good shock-absorbing and ground insulation properties. Whereas, rubber has excellent ground traction and helps enhance the shoe longevity and durability.
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