05 · Markets
Footwear
10 applications
Primary applications
Microcellular casual footwear sole
Microcellular polyurethane sole is the most common sole type in casual, safety, executive and utility footwear. The proc…
Bicomponent microcellular PU systemDual density PU systemPU integral skinRead briefSports midsole (E-TPU and microcellular PU)
The midsole is the intermediate layer of sports footwear soles — between the outsole (which touches the ground) and the…
E-TPU (Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane) — BASF InfinergyHigh-performance microcellular PUHybrid blendsRead briefAnatomical insole
The insole is the internal piece of footwear that makes direct contact with the sole of the foot. It can be fixed (integ…
Molded HR flexible foamMolded viscoelastic foamPU laminated with fabricsRead briefSynthetic upper (PU synthetic leather)
Polyurethane synthetic leather (also called PU leather, synthetic leather, vegan leather in marketing contexts) is a com…
Solvent-based PU coated fabricWaterborne PU coated fabric (growing)Solventless PU coated fabricRead briefSafety footwear soles (PPE)
Complements Level A Application 17 (Microcellular casual sole), focusing specifically on safety footwear (PPE — Personal…
Dual-density PU systemAntistatic PUPU with SRA/SRB/SRC non-slipRead briefFootwear assembly and bonding adhesives
Modern footwear manufacturing uses adhesives at dozens of points: sole-to-upper bonding (most structurally critical poin…
Solvent-based contact PU adhesiveWaterborne PU adhesiveHot-melt PU adhesiveRead briefThermoformed heel counter
The heel counter is the rigid or semi-rigid structural internal part of the heel region of a shoe, responsible for maint…
Injected TPUThermoformable TPUTPU-fabric compositesRead briefAntibacterial and antimicrobial insoles
Premium insoles for sports footwear, safety footwear and professional footwear (medical, food areas) use PU foams with i…
Flexible PU foam with antimicrobial additivesRead brief
See also
Applications where this market appears as secondary.
- Paints, Pigments and Coatings
Waterborne PU dispersions (PUDs)
Waterborne polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) are systems where pre-formed polyuret…
1K PUD2K PUDAnionic PUDRead brief - Films, Tapes and Release Liners
TPU films for footwear reinforcement
TPU films are used extensively in modern footwear — especially sports sneakers a…
Extruded TPU filmMultilayer coextruded TPU filmTPU film with integrated hot-melt adhesiveRead brief