Swiss shoe manufacturer leverages collaboration to create soles made from carbon emissions

Swiss sports company On has developed a new foam made from carbon emissions as part of its transition away from petroleum-based resources. The material is a versatile and lightweight foam called ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which is derived from captured industrial carbon emissions. EVA is currently used for the sole of the shoe, but in the future, the company also hopes to use carbon-based materials for other shoe parts.

On has spent four years working on the new foam technology, which is called CleanCloud™. During this time, the company has focused on finding the right partners to help them fully commercialise the technology. These partnerships include a supply chain coalition with world-class biochemicals and plastics innovation leaders LanzaTech and Borealis.

On are able to leverage LanzaTech’s innovation in mechanical and chemical engineering, manufacturing chemicals through a process that soaks up carbon instead of emitting it.

Springwise