Texon develops alternative to rubber for "vulcanised shoes"

Hong Kong - Footwear structural materials supplier Texon has developed a sustainable alternative to traditional rubber heel reinforcement in "vulcanised shoes", containing up to 50% recycle fibre.

Texon Vulcan, said the company 16 July, is a non-woven polyester felt with strong performance properties, providing “extra shape and enhanced levels of support.”

The material is impregnated with a “special” thermoplastic that increases its shape-retention and firmness in order to deliver “exceptional structural support at a significantly thinner gauge.”

The feature, Texon claims, can help footwear manufacturers achieve a slimmer heel profile and deliver a tighter topline that fits around the wearer’s heel.

The product, according to Texon, offers “excellent shape definition” during processing, and less prone to slumping and sagging compared to traditional rubber materials.

The material, according to Matt Smith, group sales director at Texon, helps overcome the age-old problem of sagging in vulcanised shoes, which can result in a canvas upper collapsing.

The product is available in sheet form, or pre-cut, waste-free material and is supplied with an EVA adhesive coating that bonds to most leathers, synthetic leathers, fabrics and lining materials.