The PLIANT cured natural rubber outsoles have been developed by US-based Natural Fiber Welding as a plant-based material for footwear to provide an alternative for plastic. The material is characterized by its 100% bio-based profile that's made with natural rubber sourced from the sap of the Hevea brasiliensis tree in responsibly managed forests. The material is then put through the brand's patented plant-based curative process, which is positioned as an alternative to petrochemicals and places the soles as the first performance soles of their kind.
The company explains the PLIANT cured natural rubber outsoles further on its website saying, "From the extraction of the fossil fuels used to make synthetic rubber to continuous microplastic pollution throughout the synthetic outsole’s use, petroleum-based rubber damages the environment at every step. We’ve created a 100% biobased alternative that eliminates toxic chemicals and microplastic pollution from the equation."
Image Credit: Natural Fiber Welding
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Plant-based Materials
- The development of PLIANT cured natural rubber outsoles showcases the trend towards using plant-based materials in the footwear industry.
- Sustainable Footwear
- The use of 100% bio-based outsoles highlights the growing demand for sustainable footwear options.
- Alternative to Petrochemicals
- The plant-based curative process demonstrates an innovative approach to creating performance soles without relying on petrochemicals.
Sectors Adopting This
- Footwear Manufacturing
- The PLIANT cured natural rubber outsoles offer a disruptive innovation opportunity for manufacturers in the footwear industry to shift towards more sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
- Sustainable Fashion
- The use of plant-based materials in footwear outsoles aligns with the broader trend of sustainability in the fashion industry, presenting an opportunity for brands to showcase eco-friendly products.
- Bio-based Materials
- The development of 100% bio-based outsoles opens up possibilities for the advancement of bio-based materials in various industries, including footwear manufacturing.
