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The footwear industry in India has been thriving, both in terms of production and consumption. According to a research report by IMARC Group, the market stood at 15 billion USD in 2022 and is expected to reach a whopping 31.2 billion USD by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 12% between 2023 and 2028. The growth can be attributed to rapid urbanisation, disposable income, and industrialization, which have eventually spiked the demand for various types of footwear. In conjunction with that, the market is also experiencing a shift in consumer expectations and preferences. Polyurethane Liquid
Customers are preferring shoes that are not only robust and stylish but also comfortable and light-weight. In a bid to cater to these needs, footwear manufacturers are using materials such as polyurethane, or PU, produced by reacting an isocyanate with a polyol, as the main ingredient for manufacturing footwear. Being produced from a wide range of starting materials, resulting in different chemical structures, PU has a myriad of applications. This is the reason why the material has become a prime choice for footwear manufacturers.
Polyurethane: revolutionising the footwear industry
Owing to its several benefits, the use of PU has become the norm in the footwear industry. Primarily, it meets the criteria for manufacturing soles, slippers, and insoles due to its features such as flexibility, durability, and lightness. The versatile material is also hardwearing, which potentially gives it an edge over conventional materials such as leather and rubber. Furthermore Polyurethane is gaining popularity as a premium soling material over PVC given the fact that PVC contains hazardous chemicals like Phthalate. As a result, the polymer is being mainly used in sports and trekking shoes and boots. Furthermore, as it is water-resistant, it has been proactively used in stylish business shoe soles and high-end protection footwear, collectively making it an ideal material for modern-day footwear needs.
The immensely advantageous qualities of PU soles benefit both shoe manufacturers and customers, earning it the title of the industry’s lifeline. Regarding that, let us delve into some of its core advantages.
The durability of the PU material is one of its primary advantages. Additionally, PU soles are soft underfoot as the wearer slides their feet into the shoes. Polyurethane gives soles an elastic quality similar to leather and a smooth surface, making them durable and comfortable for wearers. Due to its softness, flexibility, and ability to adapt to the shape of the foot, this material ensures the wearer’s outstanding comfort throughout.
PU has a unique chemical structure that contains a long chain of repeating units (carbamate), resulting in low density when compared to other materials. The spaces between the chains create air pockets, which contribute to its lightweight. As a result, it helps reduce fatigue in the feet and legs, making it an ideal choice for footwear.
The PU material can be formulated to be chemically resistant and water-proof, which is a significant property of footwear that is an all-weather product. As it can withstand exposure to different elements, it is an ideal material that keeps the feet dry and safe. Due to this quality, PU soles are used by footwear manufacturers to create high-quality safety footwear across a variety of industries.
Great traction and shock absorptio
The footwear should have high shock-reflecting qualities for applications where the wearer must reach or move around for an extended period of time. In this context, polyurethane is the best option for designing such footwear. PU is a remarkable material for absorbing shock, which makes it perfect for slides. Each step’s impact is lessened by the material, lowering the possibility of injury. Additionally, PU soles frequently provide improved traction, particularly in slick or damp weather. In contrast to other materials that could be slippery when wet, PU features a non-slip surface that offers exceptional grip and stability.
The world is aiming to move towards a sustainable future, which includes ambitious goals for reducing the overall carbon footprint. Regarding that, several manufacturers are taking robust steps to combat the adverse climatic impacts. A report by Deloitte states that 67% of global firms have already started using more sustainable approaches in terms of recycled materials. In this regard, the footwear industry is also proactive in adapting a sustainable approach. Thanks to technological advancements and consistent efforts by major market players, PU, often deemed a non-recyclable material, is now recyclable. The process consists of using raw material from process and post-consumer PU footwear waste which can then be used to produce new shoe soles and other applications, making it a sustainable material for the future.
The introduction of PU in the footwear industry has brought several advancements. This is due to the fact that the material is robust, comfortable, lightweight, shockproof, and water and chemical resistant, making it an optimum choice for manufacturing exceptional footwear. Moreover, with the technologies developed by PU manufacturing companies, the material is now recyclable, which will further drive its demand in the footwear industry. While the technology and research on PU continue to progress, this versatile material is likely to dominate footwear design and manufacturing. According to Statista, the global market volume for PU is anticipated to reach 31.27 million tonnes in 2030.
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